Rochdale firm develops graphene commercially

TBA Electro Conductive Products has become one of the first firms in the world to create a product containing graphene.

The company has created a sprayable, transparent conductive coating which could deliver huge cost savings for businesses in sectors including food, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

The product, which is ATEX Compliant, is a clear, anti static aerosol made of a hybrid of carbon nano tubes and graphene platelets. Using this product will safeguard electronic equipment used in explosive environments and bring it up to European Standards.

TBA Electro Conductive Products business manager Mark Lineker said: “We wanted to develop something that was in high demand within the chemical and electronics industry.”

Making the new product has cost around £2m to develop over two and a half years with an international consortium. Of that £2m, £830,000 came from European Union funding and £50,000 came from the company’s own money.

The material, which was created in the labs of Manchester University, is now being sought out by companies as far as Japan.

Mr Lineker added: “We have had a lot of interest for the product and have had people from places like Japan making enquires about it. There is a lot of demand for this product.”

The product is expected to sell at £20-£30 a litre with the capacity to cover at least four square meters. Existing products such as clear conductive plastic sheeting is currently priced at around £600 for 21x1 metre coverage.

TBA Electro Conductive products is a subsidiary of the 150-year-old Turner Brothers group and is based on the Transpennine Trading
Estate. The company currently employs seven people and by introducing this product, it is estimated that the company’s annual
turnover will increase by six figures.