SME Instrument supports new graphene facility

A leading manufacturer and supplier of graphene has been selected by the European Commission to benefit from Horizon 2020’s SME Instrument.

Graphenea will use the funding to assist in the construction and commissioning of a new production plant that will provide the company with significantly greater production capacity. Estimates suggest that Graphenea will see production capabilities rise by 200 times. The new facility, which is expected to take two years to build, will lead to the creation of 20 new jobs, and is anticipated to open in late 2017. Graphenea is based in San Sebastián, Spain; the company also has a base in Massachusetts, United States.

In comments carried by AZoNano, the founder and chief executive of Graphenea, Jesus de la Fuente, said he warmly greeted the funding from the Commission which would help “accelerate our business plan”. La Fuente said: “It will allow us to grow faster and consolidate our position as the global leader in our industry.

“Without any doubt, this support from the EU reaffirms our eagerness to reach this ambitious goal. We will continue looking for application and distribution partnerships to develop the graphene market.”

According to AZoNano, the company was selected for funding under the SME Instrument due to its innovative attributes and disruptive advanced technology.