Graphmatech AB signs letter of intent with Leading Edge Materials

Graphmatech AB is pleased to report the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with Leading Edge Materials Corp. The LOI defines a pathway to form a binding joint venture between the companies to produce graphene at Leading Edge Material’s Woxna graphite mine.

Graphmatech has developed Aros Graphene®, which prevents the agglomeration of graphene flakes.  Aros Graphene® can be therefore be mixed into metals, polymers and fluids without the loss of graphene’s thermal, mechanical and electrical properties. Graphmatech co-develops products containing Aros Graphene® with industrial partners in the materials, energy, telecommunication and engineering sectors.

Leading Edge Materials and Graphmatech have independently produced graphene as proof of concept from Woxna graphite.  Following additional research, the Joint Venture envisages co-investment in the scale up of graphene production using Woxna graphite, to supply both Graphmatech and third parties should surplus material be available.  It is anticipated that the Woxna mine site will be the operating location, using proprietary graphite pre-treatment and exfoliation technology from Graphmatech.

The volume of material contemplated under the LOI is commercially significant to both parties.  The prospective Joint Venture will provide Graphmatech with a secure graphene source from a local, environmentally sustainable supplier. For Leading Edge Materials, the Joint Venture delivers the opportunity for additional very high value add products manufactured from the Company’s natural graphite.

Mamoun Taher, CEO and Co-Founder of Graphmatech stated “Woxna, one of Europe’s few fully built and permitted graphite mines, is remarkably close to our research base in Uppsala.  The proposed Graphmatech – Leading Edge Materials Joint Venture will construct a commercial graphite to graphene facility and provide Graphmatech with the secure, sustainable, competitively priced graphene supply we will need for our business in commercial graphene-containing products.”

Mark Saxon, Leading Edge Materials’ co-founder and Director commented “We are excited to partner with Graphmatech.  Their proprietary technology and close industrial partnerships are key to the Joint Venture’s success. The Joint Venture has potential for another very high value add product from Woxna graphite in addition to battery anode materials.”

Graphene is a two-dimensional, one atom thick carbon structure, produced by the removal (exfoliation) of a single flake from graphite.  It is the strongest material known, has extremely high electrical and thermal conductivity, is ultra-lightweight and transparent.  Graphene is forecast to revolutionize materials engineering as well as the power and electronics sectors, however industrial adoption has been slow since its first isolation in 2004 due to problems caused by agglomeration.  Graphmatech’s Aros Graphene® technology has resolved this agglomeration issue.

About Graphmatech

Graphmatech is a privately held Swedish materials technology company that invents, develops and sells novel graphene-based composite materials and services. We are on a mission to deliver truly world-changing graphene hybrid materials with the potential to make the world a better place.

Graphmatech is part of the InnoEnergy Highway and the ABB innovation growth hub, SynerLeap, and has received initial financing from the Swedish Innovation Agency as well as the Swedish Energy Agency. The company recently closed a financing with new investors such as ABB Technology Ventures and Walerud Ventures.

About Leading Edge Materials

Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on production of high value critical raw materials for the European market, with an operating base in the Nordic region, a region well recognized for its promotion and investment in innovation. LEM’s flagship asset is the Woxna Graphite production facility located in central Swedentargeting the supply of specialty materials for lithium ion battery production.

LEM’s assets and research focus are towards the raw materials for Li-ion batteries (graphite, lithium, cobalt); materials for high thermal efficiency building products (graphite, silica, nepheline); and materials that improve the efficiency of energy generation (dysprosium, neodymium, hafnium). Investments are linked to the global shift to low-carbon energy generation and energy storage. Leading Edge Materials currently operate in four divisions, Graphite, Lithium, Rare Earth and Cobalt.   Mangold Fondkommission AB is the company’s Certified Adviser (“CA”) as part of the listing requirements for Nasdaq First North.