HydroGraph Clean Power Inc., a commercial producer of high-quality graphene, has significantly deepened its strategic partnership with a leading global research hub. The company has upgraded its membership from Tier 2 to Tier 1 within the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at The University of Manchester.
A Partnership Forged in Progress
This elevated status, effective January 6, 2026, marks a pivotal step in a relationship that began in 2023. Over the past two years, the collaboration has focused on advancing application development and validating the use of HydroGraph's proprietary, pristine graphene. Their joint work has resulted in an extensive portfolio of case studies demonstrating performance enhancements across various industries.
Perhaps more significantly, the partnership has generated a substantial commercial pipeline. More than 75 active projects are now underway, aimed at developing graphene-enhanced products for sectors including medical devices, advanced composites, and specialized coatings.
Scaling Production and Accelerating Innovation
Parallel to these application successes, HydroGraph has made major strides in manufacturing capacity. The company has successfully scaled production from initial pilot quantities to a rate of approximately one ton per month. Further expansion is on the horizon, with plans to reach full commercial scale as additional reactors and a new production facility in Texas come online throughout 2026.
The move to Tier 1 membership is designed to accelerate this momentum. It grants HydroGraph broader access to the GEIC's state-of-the-art facilities and deep technical expertise. A key benefit is the establishment of a dedicated HydroGraph laboratory within the GEIC, which will serve as an innovation hub.
Strategic Implications and North American Opportunities
This expanded footprint within the GEIC will enable more joint projects to transition from laboratory validation to industrial-scale trials, effectively reducing time to market for new products. It also facilitates tighter integration between the research capabilities in Manchester and HydroGraph's growing North American production base.
The enhanced collaboration will also strengthen ties with strategic partners. A notable example is the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Building on initial engagements facilitated through the GEIC in Manchester, the Tier 1 status will support deeper exploration of new opportunities and applications in North America.
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, expressed enthusiasm for the development. "We are thrilled that our partnership with HydroGraph is growing activities in the United States alongside the ARL," Baker stated. He highlighted the GEIC's role in leveraging collaboration across its network and noted that the Tier 1 extension will give HydroGraph access to additional capabilities in composites, energy storage, printing, and coatings.
Kjirstin Breure, Chief Executive Officer of HydroGraph, framed the upgrade as a natural progression. "Over the past two years as a Tier 2 member, our collaboration with the GEIC has helped turn promising ideas into real-world applications and industrial trials," Breure said. "Elevating to Tier 1 is the natural next step. It provides deeper access to facilities and expertise, speeds up our innovation cycles, and supports closer collaboration with partners such as ARL."
