The agreement outlines the framework under which the parties will undertake research and development with a view to developing paper packaging products with improved barrier resistance, weight, strength, flexibility and/or durability, through the use of graphene.
Sparc Managing Director, Mr. Nick O’Loughlin commented: “Sparc is very pleased to be working with a global sustainable packaging leader like Detmold to develop graphene enhanced paper packaging products. This collaboration is a logical extension of our R&D in epoxy coatings into other polymers and represents our approach of working collaboratively with end users to develop fit-for-purpose graphene additives and products.”
The collaboration agreement with Detmold represents a continuation of Sparc’s strategy to apply its deep expertise in developing graphene additives for coatings into adjacent polymer markets. This agreement follows collaborative discussions between Sparc and Detmold since Q2 2024.
Sparc’s key obligations, as outlined in the Collaboration Agreement, are to produce and conduct initial testing on graphene-enhanced polymers suitable for Detmold’s paper packaging products. Detmold’s obligations are to incorporate the graphene-enhanced polymers into packaging products and conduct laboratory testing to relevant packaging industry standards.
Subject to meeting pre-agreed performance requirements the parties may jointly agree to conduct pilot trials at shared cost. The financial impact of the collaboration agreement is not expected to be material in the near term; however, it is considered strategically significant as it marks a key milestone in the expansion of the Company’s R&D in graphene additives into adjacent polymer markets.
The commercialization of any Detmold paper packaging products incorporating Sparc’s graphene-enhanced materials will be governed by the terms of a separate agreement between the parties to be negotiated in the future. The term of the collaboration agreement is 24 months, unless terminated by the parties earlier.
Read the original article on Graphene-Info.
