Amec Foster inks graphene deal
10 Nov 2015
Amec Foster Wheeler has been appointed the preferred engineering partner to Applied Graphene Materials.
The company will provide engineering recommendations to Applied Graphene Materials to support the commercial development of its proprietary process for producing high-purity graphene nanoplatelets.
An innovator in the development and manufacture of graphene, Applied Graphene Materials was founded in 2010 based on technology that was initially developed at Durham University.
Graphene nanoplatelets are nanoparticles comprised of small stacks of graphene that can be used to bolster attributes such as strength or stiffness in some composite materials.
While graphene boasts unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties, it is difficult to manufacture in large quantities.
Applied Graphene Materials has established a production facility at the Wilton Science Park on Teesside, which it says is capable of producing high-purity graphene using a continuous and sustainable ’bottom up’ process.
It is now working with partners to develop commercial applications for graphene, with a focus on materials such as polymers and composites, paints and coatings, and lubricants and oils.
Amec Foster Wheeler will work with Applied Graphene Materials to refine its conceptual design for a proposed commercial-scale plant, ahead of a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study.
A pilot study has already produced high purity graphene nanoplatelets based on sustainable, readily available raw materials, Amec Foster Wheeler said.
“This is in contrast to other graphene production techniques which rely on the supply of graphite.”
Nick Shorten, managing director of Amec Foster Wheeler’s Capital Projects & Asset Management business, said: “I’m delighted to bring together the combined skills and expertise of Amec Foster Wheeler to deliver cutting edge solutions to support the commercial development of Applied Graphene Materials’ exciting new technology.”
