First Graphene Ltd (ASX:FGR, OTCQB:FGPHF, FRA:M11) has secured its first production purchase order from Australian manufacturer Pacific Urethanes Pty Ltd for PureGRAPH® graphene to be used in polyurethane systems targeting fire-retardant applications in the mining industry.
The order introduces both a new commercial customer and a new application for PureGRAPH®, with the graphene material to be incorporated into polyurethane formulations aimed at improving fire performance while maintaining the durability and wear resistance required in harsh mining environments.
The production order follows successful development work between the companies and moves the application into commercial manufacture.
New mining application for PureGRAPH®
Pacific Urethanes manufactures high-performance polyurethane systems for the mining, resources, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
Polyurethane is widely used across mining and mineral processing in screening media, wear liners, slurry systems, conveyor components, pumps, piping, seals and protective coatings due to its abrasion resistance, toughness and flexibility.
However, fire performance can be a limitation, particularly in underground mining where fire, smoke and hazardous gases create heightened safety risks.
PureGRAPH® is being incorporated into Pacific Urethanes' formulations to enhance fire-retardant performance while seeking to preserve polyurethane's mechanical and wear characteristics.
First Graphene managing director and CEO Michael Bell said the order represented an important commercial milestone.
“Securing our first production order from Pacific Urethanes represents an important commercial milestone, introducing a new customer and a new application for PureGRAPH®.
"PureGRAPH® provides an opportunity to enhance fire retardancy while retaining the properties that make polyurethane highly valuable to the mining industry. The commercial opportunity is significant. The global urethane mining products market is estimated at approximately US$2.6 billion annually and forecast to approach US$3.8 billion by 2032. Importantly, we’re enhancing an established material extensively used across the mining industry and addressing a recognised performance requirement.
"This provides a pathway for the technology to be applied across a broad range of polyurethane mining applications and exemplifies our strategy of converting PureGRAPH® into commercial applications with potential to generate ongoing demand."
Pathway into global mining materials market
Pacific Urethanes will initially target the Australian mining sector, although First Graphene sees potential for the technology to be applied more broadly across international mining markets.
The global urethane mining products market is estimated at about US$2.6 billion annually and is forecast to reach approximately US$3.8 billion by 2032.
While the initial order is not financially material to First Graphene, the company said it establishes a commercial pathway into an existing mining materials market and expands PureGRAPH® into fire-retardancy enhancement as a new performance application.