Haydale Graphene Industries plc

('Haydale' or the 'Group')

Haydale Awarded SMART Funding to Bring Graphene Products to Market

Haydale, (AIM: HAYD), the global technology solutions company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded SMART Flexible Innovation Support ("SMART FIS") from The Welsh Government to accelerate the development of the Ammanford-based company's graphene underfloor heating product and range of biomedical sensor inks.

As part of a new innovation strategy for Wales aimed at supporting Welsh industry by increased investment in research, development, and innovation, SMART FIS will provide Haydale with funding totalling £182,843 over a two-year period. Part of this funding will enable Haydale to accelerate the development of its prototype graphene underfloor heating ("UFH") towards a market-ready CE product that can be tested in a home environment. It will support continued engagement with partners such as City Energy Network Ltd and Plumbase, as announced on 16 March 2023.

Currently there are limited options available for energy supplies that can have any real impact on the EU's target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and decarbonise the UK and Europe by 2050. The conductivity and thermal properties of graphene make it a real potential solution for a low-power product for a range of heating applications, including UFH. The innovation this funding stream affords plays a key part in bringing industry-changing products to the market and helping the 11 million homes in fuel poverty and beyond.

The programme of support will also drive the development of Haydale's graphene-enhanced biomedical inks for sensor and diagnostic applications, accelerating the progress made so far with Cardiff University and Kidney Research UK.

The use of functionalised graphene in biomedical sensors allows tailored diagnostics for specific illnesses. The improved sensitivity, scalability, shelf life and accuracy of functionalised graphene-based sensors eliminates the need for traditional metallics in such devices, making them more accessible to lower income communities, with improved environmental impact and manufacturability.

David Davies, UK Managing Director at Haydale, commented:

"Receiving the SMART Flexible Innovation Support through the Welsh Government marks a significant milestone in funding our innovation and continued product development. I am delighted that our ongoing relationship with the Welsh Government continues to support RD&I towards delivering our Innovation Plans and bringing our graphene-enhanced heater and bio ink products to market."

Ryan Howard, Non-Executive Director at Haydale, commented on UFH:

"This support will accelerate the development of our technology and processes particularly for underfloor heating where we believe functionalised graphene can pave the way for the next generation of energy-efficient heating, particularly in situations where an air source heat pump cannot be installed in domestic and commercial properties.

"The development of graphene UFH is potentially a significant contributor to achieving Net Zero targets in the UK and Europe. The integration with low voltage micro generation technologies such as solar, batteries, and smart heating controls could offer carbon neutral solutions for the future. By working with City Energy Network's partners such as UK PTS ("Plumbase") and EDF there is the potential to bring this low power technology to a wide range of households in the UK and beyond."

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For further information:

Notes to Editors

Haydale is a global technologies and materials group that facilitates the integration of graphene and other nanomaterials into the next generation of commercial technologies and industrial materials.  With expertise in graphene, silicon carbide and other nanomaterials, Haydale can deliver improvements in electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, as well as toughness through its state-of-the-art functionalisation. Haydale has granted patents for its technologies in Europe, USA, Australia, Japan, and China and operates from five sites in the UK, USA, and the Far East.

For more information please visit: www.haydale.com  

LinkedIn: Haydale-ltd

Twitter: @haydalegraphene  

About SMART Flexible Innovation Support (FIS)

The Welsh Government is committed to building a stronger, fairer, greener Wales, based on the principles of fair work, sustainability and the industries and services of the future.

This includes supporting demand-driven Research, Development, and Innovation in Wales, and facilitating effective collaborations which drive prosperity and deliver real benefits for Wales' people and its environment.

Our Economic Action Plan and innovation strategy Wales Innovates have building stronger foundations for growth, supercharging the industries of the future and empowering Wales' regions at their hearts.

We support organisations to innovate and introduce new products and services, to trade with the UK and the rest of the world, to improve our skills base and to ensure that Wales remains competitive in the fourth industrial age. We are also working to enable more Welsh organisations to become carbon-light or carbon-free. 

Through SMART FIS, the Welsh Government helps to create jobs and improve people's lives by driving cutting-edge research and innovation. SMART FIS is a unique Welsh Government scheme with the single aim of helping Welsh organisations achieve "Innovation Excellence" by supporting their Innovation Plans with the Welsh Government team of Specialists, access to expertise, consultants and funding.

For more information on how Welsh Government innovation support can benefit your organisation call 03000 6 03000, or visit Innovation | Innovation (gov.wales)

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