Grafoid Introduces GrafeneX - a Graphene Adherent, Tunable and Multi-Functional Coating Technology for Large Surface Industrial Applications

KINGSTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 7, 2017) - Grafoid Inc., a world leading graphene R&D and investment company announces its entry into the global industrial coatings market with the introduction of its patent pending GrafeneX graphene coatings technology.

Grafoid's largest shareholder is Focus Graphite Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC), owner of the Lac Knife high-grade flake graphite deposit in Quebec. Focus Graphite holds two off-take agreements with Grafoid to supply it with high-purity graphite for graphene application commercialization with joint venture partners.

GrafeneX is a novel technology that creates a platform for the deposition of Graphene and chemically functionalized Graphene coatings.

This enabling process provides Grafoid with the capability to apply its diverse graphene-based coatings to many different types of material substrates with controllable levels of surface coverage, thickness etc. to meet precise end user requirements.

One of the key obstacles to graphene's broad, universal industrial acceptance is the absence to date of low-cost, high performing graphene applications that can be successfully adapted for use across all industrial sectors. BCC Market Research reports the global market for paints and coatings is anticipated to rise to $164.1 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% from 2016-2021.

Other market research indicates even higher revenue values.

Grafoid President and CEO Gary Economo described the GrafeneX technologies as a cost-effective way of laying down graphene coatings on large surface areas.

"Demand exists for advanced multifunctional technologies capable of successfully disrupting existing business models," Mr. Economo said. "We believe our novel, low-cost, coating technologies will encourage interest from those industries developing next generation materials and products."

About GrafeneX

The GrafeneX process applies Graphene based coatings to substrate materials including polymers, glasses, most metals and refractories (See Figure 1).

GrafeneX is applied using a proprietary, room temperature, top-down process, designed as an inline continuous surface conversion process compatible with most conventional industrial coil-to-coil and roll-to-roll coating facilities.

In its typical embodiment, the process sequence would include: surface preparation (cleaning & activation), graphene oxide application, removal of a benign carrier and conversion to a Graphene based surface coating.