Versarien, the Cheltenham-based advanced materials engineering group, has announced a new deal with a tyre manufacturer.

The company has won an order for its Nanene few layer graphene nano-platelets, initially providing 500g for testing purposes.

It will be used to explore the benefits of adding graphene to tyres supplied to the automotive sector. If successful, further orders would be expected.

The relationship has been cultivated via OQEMA plc, formerly Lansdowne Chemicals Limited, with whom the company has a distribution agreement.

Robert Moss, group managing director of OQEMA UK, commented: "OQEMA UK is delighted to announce our first commercial transaction with Versarien for graphene.

"This innovative material has caught the imagination of a wide variety of sectors, who see the fantastic potential in 2-dimensional materials. Without doubt, companies like Versarien are leading the way in creating the materials of the future. OQEMA is committed to partnering with innovation sources to bring these materials to wider markets as we embrace modernisation.

"Graphene's numerous benefits have almost limitless potential. New and exciting applications are being discovered on a daily basis which can only yield an exciting future for companies such as OQEMA and Versarien who are willing to put themselves at the forefront of technical advancement."

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien said: "We are delighted to have secured this initial contract to supply Nanene to a leading producer of tyres. We look forward to working with them to explore the benefits that graphene can bring to their products.

"Our relationship with OQEMA is expected to bring us further exciting opportunities and we are very pleased to have the support of such a significant player in the global distribution arena."