Graft Polymer (UK) PLC R&D Agreement with Slovenian Faculty (9331L)
September 11 2023 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMGPL
RNS Number : 9331L
Graft Polymer (UK) PLC
11 September 2023
11 September 2023
Graft Polymer (UK) PLC
Graft Polymer signs R&D agreement with the Slovenian Faculty
of Polymer Technology to research and produce pivotal vitrimer
polymer products
Graft Polymer, (LSE:GPL) ('Graft' or the 'Company') a speciality
multi-sector chemicals company offering modified and alloys
polymers and bio-polymer solutions for refiners, compounders and
processors, announces the signing of a research and development
('R&D') agreement with the Slovenian Faculty of Polymer
Technology (FTPO) (1) . The Company will work with FTPO for a year
in developing polymer matrices, leveraging its technological
expertise to prepare product samples, test products and produce a
R&D report on findings. Materials provided by Graft will enable
FTPO to take part in a number of cornerstone EU R&D HORIZON
projects, whilst acting as a springboard for the Company in
consolidating its growing presence in a pivotal new polymer
proposition - vitrimers.
Vitrimer technologies are the most dynamic innovation in the
polymer industry and a clear step beyond the traditional division
of polymers into thermoplastics and thermosets. Each of those two
classes of polymer has drawbacks in terms of cost, flexibility,
product degradation, emission of toxic by-products and inability to
be recycled. Vitrimers, however, are used for the production of
SMART polymers, boasting a remarkable set of attributes: they can
reverse their properties with heat, are easily reparable, can be
recycled, welded, can flow under mechanical stress and even
remember their shape.
With vitrimer products gaining traction in the polymer market,
Graft continues to be at the forefront of development, conducting
ongoing client trials within its revolutionary GRAFTAMER product
range. The significance of this progress is substantial, with
potential applications for the aviation, automotive, electronic and
sporting goods industries. Vitrimers also have value for practical
applications including adhesives, liquid crystalline elastomers and
advanced materials. This new R&D agreement is the perfect
conduit for Graft to release its GRAFTAMER products onto the global
polymer market. Graft believes it is well placed to capitalise on a
growing new market segment, with 62.5% CAGR expected for the
self-repairing materials market, rising from US$2.1 billion in 2021
to a phenomenal US$62.66 billion in 2028 (2) .
Commenting on the agreement, Graft CEO / CTO Victor Bolduev
said: "This new agreement is further evidence of our market
leading, pioneering technological edge in R&D in the polymer
modification field and comes in the wake of a dynamic summer with
several new agreements and contracts signed. It will allow us to
leverage our recently commissioned bespoke production equipment
site in Slovenia which is the engine room of our R&D
proposition to customers".
Associate Professor Dr. Bla Nardin, Dean of the Slovenian
Faculty of Polymer Technology added: "We are seeing inexorable
demand from multiple industries seeking more efficient, sustainable
use of everyday products with more environmentally friendly
processes. We see vitrimers playing an instrumental role in this
evolution and Graft Polymer is ideally placed to provide us with
optimal R&D insight and product development in this vital
niche".
ENDS
For further information, visit www.graftpolymer.com , follow on
Twitter @PolymerLtd or contact:
Graft Polymer (UK) Plc
Roby Zomer, Non-Executive Chairman Via Flagstaff
Yifat Steuer, CFO and Executive Director
Turner Pope Investments Tel:+44 (0) 20 3657 0050
James Pope
Andy Thacker
Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications Tel + 44 (0) 207 129 1474
Tim Thompson graftpolymer@flagstaffcomms.com
Mark Edwards
Alison Allfrey
Anna Probert
About Graft Polymer
Graft Polymer is a London Stock Exchange listed company (GPL.L)
with a cutting-edge, research and development (R&D) and
manufacturing facility based in Slovenia which has already
introduced more than 50 products to the market. The core business
of the Group comprises polymer modification and drug delivery
system developments. The Group has developed a proprietary set of
polymer modification technologies which uses recycled raw materials
and a closed loop system to reduce waste. Graft Polymer's
technology can improve existing products and processing
methodologies by enhancing performance, simplifying manufacturing,
reducing material consumption, widening the choice of feedstocks,
and reducing costs.
Graft Polymer has three divisions: polymer modification; IP for
Bio/Pharma applications including a drug delivery system (Graft
Bio) and the Group's food supplement division. A significant
milestone was reached in May 2022 when the Slovenian manufacturing
facility was granted a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
(HACCP) Certificate. The HACCP Certificate allows it to enter the
lucrative Business-to-Consumer market and commercialise its IP for
bio/pharma applications, developing active pharmaceutical
ingredients and drug delivery platforms for use in the food
supplement market, thereby introducing a further revenue stream to
its business.
Environment, Social and Governance is at the forefront of the
Group's strategy and the facility in Slovenia has been granted ISO
14001 accreditation in recognition of the environmental management
systems in place to reduce waste. Graft Polymer only uses REACH and
ROHS certificated raw materials instead of toxic raw materials, and
its extensive R&D programme has also developed specialised
recycling polymer additives which increases the strength of
recycled blends and plastic products whilst also reducing plastic
waste by between 40 and 50 per cent.
For further information on FTPO :
https://www.ftpo.eu/en
For further information regarding vitrimers market:
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/self-healing-materials-market-102947
ENDS
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