Directa Plus PLC (AIM:DCTA, OTC:DTPKF) has been granted a US patent for its G+ embedded polyurethane membrane, developed explicitly for the textile industry, together with the membrane's production method and applications.
The company, which makes graphene nanoplatelets-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, said in a statement it received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office with a priority date of 5 May 2017.
Following the official grant of the patent, which is expected shortly, Directa Plus's intellectual property (IP) portfolio will comprise 20 patent families with 80 patents granted and 30 patents pending.
G+ membranes combine breathability and water protection with thermal and electrical conductivity. They are non-toxic, non-cytotoxic, and safe against the skin and are used in apparel markets including the sportswear, workwear, military, luxury and accessories segments, Directa Plus said.
In addition, the membranes are being developed for use in the automotive, filtration and upholstery markets.
"Our core textile offering is generating considerable interest in the US market and therefore patent protection, and defence, in the territories in which we operate remains a fundamental part of our strategy to create value for shareholders," said Giulio Cesareo, founder and chief executive of Directa Plus.