Associate members join Graphene Project

The Graphene Project has welcomed its first four associate members to its project team.

Joining the FET Flagship is Netzsch of Germany (an industrial tool supplier specialising in mechanical grinding, milling, dispersion and de-aeration); NetComposites (a global research, consultancy and online media company focusing on the composite materials industry) located in the UK; and ABB (a global leader in power and automation technologies) and Imerys Graphite & Carbon (a leading global supplier of graphite for energy storage, engineering materials and conductive polymers), both based in Switzerland.

Speaking about this latest development, Andrea Ferrari, chairman of the Executive Board of the Graphene Flagship commented: “We are thrilled at this appointment of the first four associated members, even more so because they are leading European industries targeting the implementation of graphene and related materials in commercial products. This is a testimony to the effectiveness of the Graphene Flagship programme in catalysing a transition of graphene technology from laboratory to factory floor. It is a first step in creating a new graphene-based economy, spearheaded by EU industries.”

It’s hoped that associate membership of the Graphene Flagship will help the project achieve its science and technology targets by creating greater synergies with other graphene-related organisations. Bodies targeted include organisations funded by EU member states and EU projects, bodies part of the FLAG-ERA network, and co-ordinating regional and national funding agencies within Europe.

Adding his thoughts on the announcement, Thierry Van der Pyl, director of ‘Excellence Science’ in DG CONNECT, said: “We are very pleased to see the Graphene Flagship consortium associating with leading European industry, paving the way of graphene from lab to market. This is a must for moving basic research advances into concrete innovation opportunities.”

More associated members are expected to join the Graphene Project over the next few months.