By Graphene is often heralded as the “wonder material” of the 21st century, and investing in graphene companies offers investors exposure to a growing number of graphene applications across a diverse set of industries.
In terms of size, Grand View Research is forecasting that the global graphene market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 46.6 percent between 2023 and 2030 to reach US$3.75 billion. The firm says that revenue for electronics industry applications will be a major contributor to the growth in demand for graphene.
Industries such as energy storage and composites are expected to make up most of the graphene market. Graphene coatings are used in batteries, conductors and generators to improve energy efficiency and performance. Lightweight graphene composites are becoming the focus of the aircraft and automobile industries.
According to Markets and Markets, the graphene market is mainly being driven by demand from the Asia-Pacific region, due in large part to its high economic growth rate, manufacturing industries, low labor costs and growing graphene-based application patents. Rising demand for printed electronics in this region is another factor.
Here’s a look at six publicly traded graphene companies making moves in the market today, based on research gleaned from intelligence firms Fortune Business Insights and Brainy Insights. These graphene stocks are listed in alphabetical order, and all data was accurate as of November 20, 2023.
1. CVD Equipment (NASDAQ:CVV)
Market cap: US$33.9 million
CVD Equipment produces chemical vapor deposition, gas control and other types of equipment and process solutions for developing and creating materials and coatings for a range of industrial applications. These uses include aerospace engine components, medical implants, semiconductors, battery nanomaterials and solar cells.
CVD processing can be used to produce graphene and nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and silicon nanowires. In July, the company received a second production system order from US-based battery startup OneD Battery Sciences. The order, worth about US$1.8 million, is for a PowderCoat1104 system and components.
2. Directa Plus (LSE:DCTA)
Market cap: GBP 25.12 million
Leading graphene nanoplatelet producer Directa Plus makes products designed for commercial applications, such as textiles and composites. The firm has developed a patented graphene material that is both portable and scalable. Directa Plus casts a wide net, even using its graphene for golf balls with the aim of improving users’ control and swings using elasticity.
In September, Italy-based Directa Plus announced it will be exploring the potential of its graphene technologies in the US defense sector through a new partnership with the SPECTRUM Group.
3. First Graphene (ASX:FGR,OTCQB:FGPHF)
Market cap: AU$37.43 million
First Graphene is an advanced materials company that is looking to position itself in the lowest-cost quartile of global graphene suppliers. The company says it has developed an environmentally sound method of converting ultra-high-grade graphite into the lowest-cost, highest-quality graphene in bulk quantities.
The firm is working with three Australian universities on developing graphene products and associated intellectual properties, including PureGRAPH, its graphene powder. First Graphene is vertically integrated, and applications for its products extend to fire retardancy, energy storage and concrete, among others. In fact, the company released positive results concerning Phase 1 of its graphene-enhanced cement trials in October.
“Completion of phase one trials is a significant milestone towards the adoption of graphene-enhanced cement as a tool to help drive emissions down in the construction industry,’ First Graphene Managing Director and CEO Michael Bell said.
4. G6 Materials (TSXV:GGG,OTCQB:GPHBF)
Market cap: C$2.61 million
G6 Materials provides low-cost graphene solutions for a variety of commercial, research and military applications. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Graphene Laboratories, offers more than 100 graphene and graphene-related products to over 14,000 customers worldwide through its ecommerce website. Some of the firm’s most notable clients are NASA, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and IBM (NYSE:IBM).
In mid-2023, G6 Materials announced launched a new thermally conductive G6-EPOXY product line. ‘Epoxy resins play a vital role in thermal management due to their exceptional thermal conductivity and insulation properties,’ the company said in a press release. ‘These versatile materials efficiently dissipate heat, making them essential in electronic devices, power modules, lithium battery heat management, and LED lighting applications.’
5. Haydale Graphene Industries (LSE:HAYD,OTC Pink:HDGHF)
Market cap: GBP 7.34 million
Haydale Graphene Industries is the holding company for both Haydale and Haydale Composite Solutions.
The former has developed a patented proprietary and scalable plasma process that’s aimed at functionalizing graphene and other nanomaterials. Using the technology, Haydale is able to supply tailored solutions to both raw materials suppliers and product manufacturers. The latter is focused on the design, development and commercialization of advanced polymer composite materials. Haydale Composite Solutions takes care of the entire development cycle, from applied research to setting up manufacturing plants.
6. NanoXplore (TSXV:GRA,OTCQX:NNXPF)
Market cap: C$339.53 million
Established in 2011, NanoXplore is able to produce high volumes of graphene at affordable prices due to its unique and environmentally friendly production process.
The company’s GrapheneBlack graphene powder can be used in plastic products to greatly increase their reusability and recyclability. In March, the company received patent approval for its SiliconGraphene battery anode material solution under the trademark SiG. ‘GrapheneBlack acts as a coating agent around Silicon alleviating swelling and dislodgment of particles, making the cell safer and more reliable,’ a press release states.
More recently, in September NanoXplore was awarded ‘three programs from two existing customers, one large commercial vehicle OEM and one industrial equipment manufacturer, to supply exterior parts of vehicles.’ The parts are being used for both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles.
7. Talga Group (ASX:TLG)
Market cap: AU$396.83
Talga Group is a vertically integrated battery anode and materials company, mining its own graphite and producing anodes. It has operations in Sweden, Japan, Australia, Germany and the UK. The company also produces graphene additives for use by materials manufacturers in applications such as concrete, coatings, plastics and energy storage.
Talga has the Talphite and Talphene lines of graphene products, which include conductive additives for battery cathode and anode products, solid-state anodes and graphite recycling.
Private graphene companies
The graphene stocks listed above are by no means the only graphene-focused companies. Investors interested in graphene would also do well to learn more about the private companies focused on graphene technology, including 2D Carbon Tech, ACS Material, Advanced Graphene Products, Graphene Platform, Graphenea, Grafoid and XG Sciences.
FAQs for graphene
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. First produced in 2004, when professors at England’s University of Manchester used Scotch tape to peel flakes of graphene off of graphite, the material is 200 times stronger than steel and thinner than a single sheet of paper. Graphene has many possible applications in various fields, such as batteries, sensors, solar panels, electronics, medical equipment and sports gear.
What are some good properties of graphene?
Graphene’s outstanding properties include high thermal and electrical conductivity, high elasticity and flexibility, high hardness and resistance, transparency and the ability to generate electricity via exposure to sunlight.
What is the difference between graphene and graphite?
Graphene and graphite are both allotropes of carbon, meaning they are structurally different forms of the same element. A key difference between them is that graphene is a single layer of graphite.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.