Directa Plus (LON:DCTA) shares took flight on Thursday after news the firm has been awarded a patent in Italy to make golf balls using its G+ graphene enhancement.
G+ compounds in golf balls can make professionals hit them even further while for less gifted payers it gives improved swing and shot control, said the company.
"Using our G+ product in golf balls, for both the amateur and professional game is an exciting opportunity to enter a large sporting market," said Giulio Cesareo, the firm's chief executive.
Directa Plus has also been awarded a patent in China for the manufacture of graphene nanoplatelets, one of the ways of producing the material for use across a wide range of applications.
The group said it has a unique exfoliation technology that is chemical free, has an extremely high yield, and can be varied to produce graphene nanoplatelets with specific morphologies.
Cesareo said: "Gaining legal recognition of the company's proprietary, chemical-free graphene production process in China will allow us to enter into larger Chinese supply chains more easily."
Directa Plus has now been granted 22 patents with a further 22 pending.
“It is vital that we secure the Intellectual Property rights needed to protect our unique technology,” said Cesareo.
In afternoon trading, shares in Directa Plus were 4.3% higher at 85p.
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