Vittoria partner with graphene specialist Haydale

Vittoria have announced a new partnership with Haydale, the global advanced materials group,  with the collaboration focused on innovation and access to supply of graphene.

Since 2015 Vittoria has been known for its pioneering application of graphene, developing and producing graphene-enhanced bicycle tires. The nanomaterial has proven to create substantial improvements in grip, rolling resistance, puncture resistance and durability.

Haydale has, over the past 10 years, amassed significant know-how and advanced capabilities to produce and functionalize graphene and other nanomaterials for various industries and applications.

Haydale CEO, Keith Broadbent comments: “We are excited to be working with Vittoria on their graphene enhanced cycling tyres which demonstrates the impact that our HD Plas® functionalisation technology can have on the tyre and wider elastomer market. We are also looking forward to working more closely with Graphene Creations, and to leveraging our technical expertise with their business development skills.”

As a first step in their collaboration, Vittoria and Haydale have co-developed improved rubber compounds, applying the joined know-how in functionalization and mixing of the graphene. Laboratory and field tests have proved that these compounds further improve the tyre performances.

Supply of the newly developed graphene has already started, with a first order from Vittoria to Haydale of 1 tonne of functionalised graphene to be delivered in the coming months. Using its new high-capacity HT1400 plasma reactor, Haydale is able to meet Vittoria’s production requirements and stringent quality standards.

For the mid-term future, Vittoria and Haydale have agreed to investigate the possibility to start production of functionalized graphene directly in Thailand, near the Vittoria Group factories. For this purpose, a Letter of Intent has been signed between Haydale and Vittoria’s co-owned Thai nanotech subsidiary, Graphene Creations Limited (“Graphene Creations”).

“Our unique know how of graphene helps us make the most advanced bicycle tyres on the planet. We are very pleased to partner with Haydale to further innovate in this field and have local production of graphene in Thailand as a common goal.” Stijn Vriends, Vittoria Group President & CEO

We have been working with Haydale for the past couple of years on research and application development projects, so we are extremely confident that by combing Haydale’s unique technical expertise on nano materials and our market access, we will further expand the commercialization of graphene into various industries. Our application development platform is built on several years of tested data collected throughout the sourcing, functionalization and production processes. It’s just the beginning.” highlights Ted P. Thirapatana, Graphene Creations CEO.

Toward the end of 2021 Vittoria announced that it intends to spend $20 million to double its production capacity with an investment into a new Thailand facility, set to employ around 400 people.