UPPSALA, SWEDEN – Nordic deep-tech startup Graphmatech (www.graphmatech.com) today announces the launch of a new innovative range of polymer-graphene composites, AROS Polyamide-Graphene, poised to revolutionise hydrogen storage and transport applications. The company has also secured a 10 million SEK grant from the Swedish Energy Agency to support this breakthrough, which promises to significantly reduce harmful hydrogen leakage into the atmosphere.

Hydrogen is approximately 11 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide over a 100 year period, and so any leaks from hydrogen storage and transport can significantly contribute to climate change. Moreover, hydrogen leakage poses substantial financial risks and safety hazards, particularly in enclosed spaces where the gas can accumulate and create explosion risks.

Graphmatech’s breakthrough comes at a vital time for the hydrogen economy, with McKinsey & Company projecting hydrogen demand to grow significantly to 2050, meaning that an infrastructure scale-up and technology advancements are needed to meet demand. The company’s unique focus on graphene applications, rather than raw material production, positions it strategically within the supply chain to drive widespread adoption of this transformative technology.

By 2027, Graphmatech’s solution is expected to be implemented in approximately 1,000 light commercial vehicles and 500 heavy commercial vehicles. The projections for 2032 are even more ambitious, with an anticipated implementation in 750,000 light commercial and 250,000 heavy commercial vehicles.

This significant adoption could potentially lead to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, estimated at 50,500 tons per year by 2027 and an impressive 450,000 tons per year by 2032.

Graphmatech’s new range of polymer-graphene composites combines polyamide grades (types of plastic with different properties and applications) with graphene (a single layer of carbon atoms known for its strength and conductivity), effectively blocking hydrogen from escaping while also making the plastic stronger. This material is particularly well-suited for type IV composite pressure vessels (CPVs), a common hydrogen container design featuring a polymer liner to prevent leakage.

Graphmatech’s uniquely designed production process for combining polyamide and graphene solves a major problem that has long stumped scientists: how to prevent graphene particles from clumping together (agglomeration) during upscaling. This clumping issue has previously limited graphene’s use in industrial applications. Graphmatech’s innovative AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites prevent graphene agglomeration, delivering unparalleled performance gains over existing commercial solutions. This breakthrough enhances polyamide’s competitiveness against metal in type IV CPVs improving both safety and design flexibility. The result is increased design freedom, enabling thinner, more efficient constructions. The AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites can also be utilised as a replacement for existing solutions, allowing significantly lower hydrogen permeation, increasing safety margins, and decreasing the CO₂ footprint of the final pressure vessel design.

The AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites include both ready-to-use compounds and concentrated masterbatches (additive blends). The range of AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites include the AROS Polyamide-6 (PA6) Graphene and AROS Polyamide-11 (PA11) Graphene composites, which feature the following properties:

AROS Polyamide-6 Graphene

Decreased hydrogen leakage by up to 83% compared to traditional commercial solutions
Increased tensile modulus (strength) by up to 98% and ultimate strength by 38% compared to commercial solutions
Proven blow-mouldability and good parison strength (can be shaped into hollow forms using industrial blowing techniques, while maintaining structural integrity during the manufacturing process)

AROS Polyamide-11 Graphene

With only a small amount (4% by weight) of AROS Polyamide-11 Graphene, it can achieve:

Decreased hydrogen permeability of PA11 commercial benchmark by 68%
160% increased elongation capability before breakage occurs
12 % boost in the material’s ability to handle impact at room temperature

The launch of the AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites coincides with Graphmatech securing a 10 million SEK grant from the Swedish Energy Agency. The grant will support the development and deployment of a state-of-the-art modular mobile pilot-scale extrusion line for Graphmatech’s polymer-graphene materials tailored for hydrogen applications. Additionally, it will enable the company to develop, test, demonstrate, and certify type-IV pressure vessels for hydrogen storage and pipes for hydrogen transportation. This project aims to verify the innovative and modular extrusion line at a pilot scale under full operating conditions, demonstrate the functionality of bio-based polymer polyamide-11-graphene composites in type IV CPVs, and investigate the recyclability of polymer-graphene composite-based type IV CPVs. The grant underscores the potential of Graphmatech’s technology to contribute significantly to a more sustainable future and accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

Dr. Mamoun Taher, founder and CTO of Graphmatech, comments :

The range of AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites exemplify our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation.

“By infusing traditional materials with the ‘miracle’ properties of graphene, we’re enabling a new era of safer, more efficient hydrogen infrastructure that can significantly reduce CO2 emissions on a global scale, As a deep-tech for climate startup, we’ve not only solved the challenge of graphene commercialisation but also removed risk in its industrial adoption. With the AROS Polyamide-Graphene composites and the support of the Swedish Energy Agency, we’re providing multiple sectors with the tools to future-proof their operations, enhance productivity, and strive for true sustainability”.

Graphmatech Will Be Exhibiting at the Hydrogen Tech Expo Europe 2024 at Hall A1, C75

Source: Graphmatech Unveils Revolutionary Graphene-Enhanced Material for Hydrogen Storage and Secures Major Grant During the Hydrogen Tech Europe 2024