Versarien plc, the advanced materials engineering group, has entered into a collaboration agreement with AXIA Materials Co to develop graphene enhanced composite materials and smart graphene devices.

The Cheltenham-based company will use both Versarien's Nanene graphene nano platelets and its Graphinks graphene inks in the collaboration.

AXIA, which is based in South Korea, develops advanced thermoplastic composite material solutions for the automotive, sports, electronics and building sectors, and produces pre-fabricated buildings.

Versarien will initially work with AXIA on two projects:

• Smart Buildings - Versarien's Graphinks will be used to incorporate sensors and thermal devices into composite building panels and Versarien's Nanene will be used to develop graphene enhanced materials which will be used in structural composites.
• Electric Vehicle applications - Versarien's Graphinks will be used to add smart systems to a composite electric vehicle battery tray.

The relationship with AXIA developed from the recent visit to South Korea by Versarien management with Innovate UK and the European Enterprise Network's Global Business Accelerator Programme. The relationship will be supported by the UK Government's Department for International Trade.

Justin Jin, CEO of AXIA, said: "With Versarien's Graphinks solutions, we believe that we can integrate sensors and electric circuits into composite building materials for smart houses. We believe there will be many more opportunities to utilise Versarien's materials technology to bring game changing solutions to the market. We are very excited to start working with Versarien."

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien (pictured), said: "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with AXIA, which demonstrates the global demand for Versarien's graphene products. We look forward to working with AXIA and their customers to develop a variety of graphene enhanced systems and technologies. The relationship with AXIA is an important step for Versarien and illustrates the wide range of applications that Versarien's Nanene and Graphinks can be applied to."