Haydale Graphene targets higher sales in 2019 as it kicks off year with “cautious optimism”

• Specialises in the use of graphene and other nanomaterials • Patented HDPLAS process that allows graphene to be added to other materials more effectively • Holds patents across Europe, the USA, and China What Haydale Graphene does

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC (LON:HAYD) is a technology and materials group specialising in the use of graphene and other nanomaterials.

The firm has patents for its technologies across Europe, the USA, and China while operating from four facilities in the UK, the USA, and the Far East.

Graphene, which consists of a single layer of carbon atoms linked together, is a lightweight and thin material that can be used in electric circuits, solar cells, and various other industrial and medical processes.

One of the company’s key offerings is its patented HDPLAS process that allows graphene to be added to other materials more effectively.

In terms of products, Haydale offers composite materials including thermoplastics, carbon fibre, and glass-fibre reinforced plastics.

3-D printing services using graphene-enhanced polylactic acid filaments as well as silicon carbide materials that can be used in the manufacture of ceramic cutting tools, technical ceramics, and protective coatings are also offered as part of its repertoire.

Similarly, the company’s nanomaterial-infused inks have previously been purchased for use in anti-counterfeiting technology and in sensor systems.

Haydale also operates consultancy service to help clients integrate nanomaterials into their own products.

Inflexion points

• In January 2019, the company signed a supply agreement to provide 76kg of its propriety piezoresistive ink to HP1 Technologies Ltd (HP1T) over an 18-month period

• The firm raised £1mln in additional finance in December through a £750,000 loan and £250,000 share subscription

• The creation of two divisions as part of restructuring has led to growth in all areas of the global business in the 2018 financial year with total turnover rising to £4.2mln from £3.9mln and commercial sales up 13%

Blue Sky

Interim executive chairman David Banks said the group’s overall progress was “solid” in 2018 but sales were expected to be higher in 2019, adding that the company had made the necessary changes to address issues that dragged on sales and was entering the new fiscal year with “cautious optimism”.

“There are significant growth opportunities with our new and adapted approach of using our global footprint as one team, with cross-selling and cross research and development focus combined with a re-orientation to organic growth and cost monitoring,” he said.

“Business development surrounding the major advances we have seen in our core skills on inks, functionalisation and dispersion of graphene, in conjunction with the new market segment for SiC, sets Haydale up for the next phase of evolution and scale up.”

Some of these new growth opportunities include the development of a high performance kit for British athletes training for the 2020 Olympic Games as well as big opportunities in the drone market after Haydale supplied enhanced prepreg material for the world’s first graphene skinned aircraft.

With shares trading at 23p as of 15 February, Haydale Graphene carries a market cap of £6.3mln.

Story by ProactiveInvestors