Haydale, a leader in the development of enhanced graphene and nanoparticulate materials, has announced that its composites division, Haydale Composite Solutions Ltd (HCS), has signed a letter of intent to start a joint development and commercialisation agreement with Huntsman Advanced Materials (Switzerland) GmbH (Huntsman), a leading global manufacturer of epoxy, acrylic and polyurethane based polymer products.

As part of agreement Haydale will functionalise Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) using its proprietary HDPlas® process and add them to Huntsman's ARALDITE® resins to create a highly loaded masterbatch. Under the proposed agreement, it is anticipated that Huntsman and HCS will develop and validate the use of GNPs in ARALDITE® epoxy resins, using HCS's proprietary HDPlas® process. The ultimate objective of the collaboration will be to commercialise graphene enhanced ARALDITE® resins for a range of applications in the composites market.

Gerry Boyce Managing Director of HCS said "We are highly excited about working with a world leading Resins Company and to developing markets and applications for these new graphene enhanced ARALDITE® resins. We see graphene enhanced polymer resins and their use in composite materials as being a revolution. This work opens up the potential for a whole new range of advanced composite materials and products with enhanced performance and lower cost."

Dr David Hatrick, European Technology Director at Huntsman Advanced Materials commented "We are pleased to be working closely with HCS on this exciting opportunity. The combination of HCS's expertise in functionalised GNPs and our capabilities in epoxy chemistry should create multiple new opportunities to meet the needs of the growing composites market."

Ray Gibbs, Haydale Chief Executive, added  "We have identified the composites market as a strategic sector for our functionalised graphene and other nanomaterials with HCS being a fundamental route to market for our plasma functionalised materials. This agreement represents a major opportunity to work with a global partner to develop a whole new range of formulated resins with enhanced properties which they can sell into the composites' market across the world."

Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS) has developed a reputation for delivering innovative solutions in the commercial applications of advanced polymer composite materials working with global companies over more than 20 years.  HCS is focused on a range of market sectors including pipe lining for the oil, gas and water industries, infrastructure for electricity and energy sectors plus the marine and transportation markets.  HCS competence spans the entire development cycle from applied research, product design, process development, product testing and certification, to setting up manufacturing plants. EPL also works with OEMs and end-users to develop and provide composite solutions with demonstrable clear technical, economic and environmental benefits over existing structures currently manufactured in traditional materials such as steel, aluminium, wood or concrete.

Haydale Ltd, based in South Wales, UK and housed in a purpose-built facility for processing and handling nanomaterials, is facilitating the application of graphene's and other nanomaterials in fields such as aerospace, inks, sensors, energy storage, photovoltaics, composites, paints and coatings. Haydale has developed a patent-pending proprietary scalable plasma process to functionalise graphene and other nanomaterials. This enabling technology can provide Haydale with a rapid and highly cost-efficient method of supplying tailored solutions to enhance applications for both raw material suppliers and product manufacturers.

Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals.  Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman has approximately 16,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide.  The Company had 2014 revenues of over $13 billion.

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