US-based HydroGraph Clean Power, a sustainable manufacturer of pristine graphene, has partnered with a North American industrial gas supplier and is advancing plans for a new production facility in Texas, outlined in an April letter of intent.
The agreement ensures a continuous supply of high-purity acetylene, a crucial feedstock for HydroGraph’s detonation synthesis process, which produces high-quality graphene. This process uses controlled explosions to create high-pressure, high-temperature conditions followed by rapid cooling.
Acetylene is a highly reactive and unstable fuel that undergoes detonation when mixed with oxygen or other oxidisers and can even detonate in an oxygen-free environment.
After detonation, the tiny carbon-rich molecules rapidly polymerise. This is when many small molecules stick together to make a bigger molecule. In this case, these carbon atoms self-organise to form a two dimensional graphene structure.
The graphene can then be used in a wide range of applications, including improving the performance of materials, enhancing electronics, and developing new energy storage technologies.
Graphene is often called a ‘wonder material’, and justifiably so. Its unique structure means that it is not only incredibly light, but also strong and durable, not to mention highly conductive. These properties stem from the material’s two-dimensional structure and the nature of its chemical bonds. In simple terms, the bonds between the carbon atoms are arranged in a highly ordered honeycomb-like pattern. This so-called ‘perfect arrangement’ means there are no weak points where the material can easily deform or break. The structure allows electrons to move freely across the material, making it an excellent conductor of electricity. The atoms in graphene form strong bonds that let electrical charges travel easily, which is why it is used in electronics and energy storage.
“We need the world’s best inputs to produce the world’s best graphene,” said Kjirstin Breure, President and CEO of HydroGraph. “This partnership secures a reliable supply of high-purity acetylene, enabling us to increase production and meet growing customer demand.”
HydroGraph is also advancing the development of a new production facility in Texas, expected to be operational by 2026. The site will house 15 Hyperion reactors, capable of producing over 350 metric tonnes of graphene each year.
“The planning of this new facility is crucial to our growth strategy,” Breure added. “It will significantly enhance our manufacturing capabilities and help us meet the needs of our expanding customer base.”
The global graphene market is seeing massive growth in recent years. Some estimates suggest a compound annual growth rate of 30% or more, leading to a market value potentially exceeding $5bn by 2032.
This is being driven mostly by the use of graphene and graphene-based materials in electronics, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare.
