A firm in the North East is to begin supplying graphene commercially for the first time, and has more deals in the pipeline, only weeks after MP’s criticised UK industry for failing to capitalise on the wonder-material’s discovery.

Graphene was first isolated in 2004 at the University of Manchester. The material is a thin layer of pure carbon that has a number of potential uses because it is light, tough, strong and a good conductor.

MP’s on the Science and Technology Select Committee have recently questioned the progress being made into the commercialisation of graphene, after £120 million of public funding was invested into its research over the last five years.

However, soon after the comments were made, Redcar-based Applied Graphene Materials (AGM) secured its first production order and commercial application of its “graphene nanoplatelets”. The deal with Century Composites will see the firm supply the graphene to strengthen a number of high performance fishing rods.

Chief executive of Applied Graphene Materials, John Mabbitt, said the next supply deal was likely to be next year for a paint with improved resistance corrosion. The company’s graphene has been proven to significantly improve resistance moisture penetration.

Mabbitt commented: “Graphene is not going to sell itself itself. You have to demonstrate to people what it can do in certain circumstances. We are providing a materials solution that improves properties or cost, competing against other materials.

“There are between 25 to 40 companies around globally supplying graphene. They are a similar size and at a similar stage to us.”

AGM’s patented process for producing graphene differs from most methods, which rely on splitting layers of graphite using chemical, mechanical techniques or putting energy into it. Instead, AGM’s process involves catalytically cracking alcohol and then reassembling the carbon atoms into the benzene rings which form the basis of the graphene.