I have previously written on graphene here in 2016. You can also read about graphite here and here. Graphene was first discovered in 2004 and since that time its widespread adoption has been regularly predicted. But it hasn’t happened. This is not to be negative. It was about 100 years from the  discovery of aluminium in 1825 to its commercialisation.

While there are around 50 ASX listed graphite stocks, I have only identified 4 that are focussed on graphene. There are several that are dabbling in graphene but that have other, more important projects.

This is a very interesting space and I plan to write further on some of these companies in coming weeks. The summaries below are no more than a brief introduction. These companies are worth a look because if the graphene market does take off, they are well positioned to benefit.

However, caution is recommended. In 2018 the publication Advanced Materials tested graphene samples from 60 producers worldwide. The conclusion was that quality is generally poor and most companies are not producing graphene but graphite microplatelets. This in turn means that most “graphene” is not suitable for many applications.

 

Archer Exploration Limited (ASX:AXE)

Share Price Year High/Low Shares on Issue Market Cap
$0.125 $0.16/$0.063 197M $24M

 In its own words AXE is “a materials technology company”, developing graphene-based materials for use in quantum computing, human health and energy.

The company has exclusive worldwide rights to commercialise IP developed by the University of Sydney related to carbon-based quantum computing. In particular, room temperature quantum computing. With regard to health, the company is developing a biosensor based upon a graphene-based ink. Finally, the company is developing the potential use of its graphite in lithium ion batteries.

The company has typically sold other assets to finance the graphene business. It currently has several assets that it plans to either IPO or JV.

 

Eden Innovations Limited (ASX:EDE)

Share Price Year High/Low Shares on Issue Market Cap
$0.047 $0.097/$0.026 1.7B $81M

Strictly speaking EDE is not a graphene company as its main product is a carbon nanotube. However, the nanotube can be considered to approximate to graphene layers that are formed as a tube. So 3d rather than 2d but occupying a similar space.

In essence the company has developed the EdenCrete® range of products that are concrete additives strengthened by carbon nanotubes. In general the various additives improve the performance of concrete under difficult conditions such as freeze/thaw condition or very heavy use

The company’s products are approved in 15 US states, a primary market for the product.

 

First Graphene Limited (ASX:FGR)

Share Price Year High/Low Shares on Issue Market Cap
$0.17 $0.32/$0.115 474M $80M

FGR had initially planned to mine vein graphite in Sri Lanka but poor economics put this plan on hold.

The company then built a 100tpa graphene plant in Perth, using Sri Lankan vein graphite from an independent supplier. One type of graphene is produced, PureGRAPH®, in three size ranges, 20μm, 10μm & 5μm.

It has potential applications as a fire retardant, in battery electrodes, to strengthen material such as rubber and concrete. Although considerable testwork has been completed the company does not expect the project to be commercialised until mid-2020.

 

Talga Resources Limited (ASX:TLG)

Share Price Year High/Low Shares on Issue Market Cap
$0.53 $0.73/$0.325 222M $117M

 TLG is planning to construct a graphite mine and concentrator in Northern Sweden. The company holds several graphite deposits, the main one being Nunasvaara with a resource of 12.3Mt @ 25.5% carbon.

The company is planning to produce a coated spherical graphite product suitable for use in the anode of lithium ion batteries. The anode product will be produced a ta refinery located at the port of Lulea in Northern Sweden.   It also plans to produce graphene and reports that is has solved all technical issues in a cost-effective manner.

28 October 2019 Commodities