Australian-based advanced materials technology company Talga Resources said it has signed a joint development agreement with British polymer manufacturing and technology company Biomer Technology to jointly develop graphene-reinforced thermoplastics to realize potential in the healthcare and coatings markets commercialize.
The program is being carried out in the area of composites under the Talga graphene commercialization strategy. Highlights of JDA include: a new multifunctional thermoplastic polyurethane with Talga functionalized graphene ("Talphene") added to Biomer polymers.
Evaluation terms: 5 years of exclusive supply with commercialization of the product and intellectual property rights. Biomer's existing commercial customers around the world can facilitate the commercialization of successful products for biomedical and coating applications.
The agreement provides that Biomer will design and synthesize thermoplastic polyurethanes ("TPUs") containing Talga graphene ("Talphene") products for evaluation in applications such as biomaterials (medical devices) and industrial coatings (marine antifouling).
Adding a large amount of Talphene to Biomer's patented TPU is expected to improve a number of key performance characteristics, including: chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, biocompatibility / biofouling resistance, mechanical strength, surface finish, and electrical conductivity.
Talphene enhanced TPU will be evaluated in conjunction with Biomer's commercial TPU and other polymers jointly developed with Biomer's global industrial partners.