Versarien plc Making good progress in the US

Posted by: Giles Arbor 21st January 2020

Versarien plc (LON: VRS), the advanced materials engineering group, has today provided an update on its US graphene operations.

The Company continues to make progress with current and potential partners in the US. As announced on 27 June 2019, the Company appointed Brian Berney as President of North American Operations at Versarien Graphene Inc., reporting to Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien. Since then the Company has continued to enter into confidentiality agreements with potential partners to examine collaborations and develop trials in the region, including in particular, with a global tyre manufacturer.

Versarien has strengthened its US profile by attending two trade missions in Q4 2019, supported by the UK government. In October 2019, Versarien attended the UK Supplier Showcase in Wichita, in conjunction with Spirit AeroSystems, and in December 2019 the Company was part of Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme to Boston, which focused on graphene applications and technology in the electronics, composites and energy sectors.

Versarien Graphene, Inc. has a serviced office location. Brian Berney, who is the only full-time employee in the US, is supported by the UK Company team, including from within the Company’s laboratory facilities at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre in the UK. The Company also has access to third party laboratory facilities in Texas, which are utilised on a flexible basis and only as required. This strategy is in line with the Group’s approach to keep cost to a minimum and utilise customer’s R&D facilities, where possible, as well as the Company’s R&D expertise and available facilities in the UK.