At a time when innovation is driving competitiveness, industries are looking for more effective solutions to improve their products and processes. Among the many options available, pre-formulated performance additives are emerging as particularly promising. These products are designed to offer specific properties to industrial materials and formulations. They offer considerable advantages in terms of cost, performance and durability. So why choose pre-formulated performance additives for your industry? Here’s how.
Optimize the performance of your materials
Preformulated performance additives are specifically designed to improve the properties of materials throughout their life cycle. Acting as catalysts, these additives enhance certain key characteristics such as resistance to climatic conditions, thermal stability, mechanical durability or resistance to chemicals. Industries that manufacture plastics, rubbers, paints, coatings or composites are therefore well advised to turn to these additives. By opting for pre-formulated additives, they can easily incorporate them into their formulations without having to invest in complex formulation or development processes.
Reduce your production costs with pre-formulated performance additives
One of the main advantages of pre-formulated additives is their ability to reduce production costs: a crucial issue for all industries. What’s more, they are developed to be easy to apply to existing production lines without requiring any modifications. Ready-to-use formulations, such as Carbon Waters’ Graph’Up range, help to save time and avoid the errors associated with handling multiple ingredients and dosages. What’s more, their efficiency allows you to adjust the quantity of additives, thereby reducing raw material and energy costs.
Improve the quality of your products
Another major advantage of pre-formulated performance additives is their consistent quality. Unlike customised solutions – which sometimes lead to variations in final properties depending on formulation methods – pre-formulated additives are produced according to rigorous and reproducible criteria. This ensures consistent quality in the final products. As a result, they meet the stringent requirements of many industries, such as the automotive, construction and aerospace industries, where performance and safety are non-negotiable criteria.
Reduce your environmental footprint with pre-formulated performance additives
The environmental footprint of industrial production is a major and growing challenge worldwide. Thanks to innovative, sustainable technologies and renewable raw materials, pre-formulated performance additives help to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. Like the graphene-based additives in the Graph’Up range, these products are designed to minimise the use of resources, optimize material performance and extend product life. For example, in the paint industry, certain pre-formulated additives improve durability and resistance, reducing maintenance or the need for multiple coats.
Opt for ease of use and flexibility
One of the advantages of pre-formulated additives is their ease of use. Whereas standard additives sometimes need to be fine-tuned according to customer criteria, pre-formulated additives are suitable for a variety of industrial applications. As a result, industries save time in the development phase and benefit from flexibility in adapting their products to market needs.
Carbon Waters, with its ready-to-use formulations, offers a technology that simplifies the integration of its graphene-based additives into complex formulations, guaranteeing optimum, long-lasting performance.
Stay compliant with standards and regulations
Regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly stringent in many industrial sectors. The integration of pre-formulated additives helps companies to ensure that their products comply with current environmental, safety and performance standards. These additives are designed in accordance with international directives, facilitating the certification and market introduction process.
Discover Carbon Waters’ Graph’Up range: a cutting-edge solution for higher-performance, more durable materials
Carbon Waters’ Graph’Up range of performance additives feature graphene, a material with exceptional properties that improve the strength, thermal conductivity and robustness of materials. By adopting them, industries benefit from a sustainable solution, more efficient management of resources and optimum performance.
Yes: pre-formulated performance additives are a strategic solution for industries looking to optimize their manufacturing processes, improve product quality and meet increasing sustainability and compliance requirements. Carbon Waters provides industries with the technologies they need to meet today’s challenges and prepare for future developments in their sector.
Graphene-based performance additives are transforming the industrial world by meeting the technological and environmental challenges of the most demanding sectors. Carbon Waters, at the forefront of this revolution, is offering Graph’Up a range of ready-to-use high-performance additives. These products, the result of several years of research and development, can be easily integrated into industrial processes without the need for special equipment. The aim? To make significant improvements to the properties of materials. Find out more.
Graph’Up, Carbon Waters’ innovative and sustainable range of graphene-based performance additives
Developed by French company Carbon Waters, the Graph’Up range is based on the unique properties of graphene. It produces multifunctional additives capable of simultaneously improving several characteristics of materials: mechanical strength, corrosion protection, thermal and electrical conductivity.
These innovative solutions, which are compatible with a wide range of materials (resins, paints, polymers, composites, adhesives, etc.), simplify formulations by reducing the number of additives needed to obtain several properties. In this way, they optimise formulations while limiting the use of other additives that are difficult to use, particularly because of their toxicity, cost or supply difficulties.
Graph’Up additives combine low environmental impact with safety of use.
Designed in a sustainable way, with a circular economy approach thanks to the local production of Made in Europe raw materials, they meet the requirements of modern industrial processes.
Graph’Up: high-potential additives for industry
To protect against corrosion, strengthen mechanical resistance or optimise production processes, Graph’Up offers concrete solutions tailored to a wide range of sectors, including aeronautics, automotive, construction, defence, marine and renewable energy. Here’s an overview.
Graph’Up Oxi, performance additives to combat corrosion
Graph’Up Oxi additives provide powerful anti-corrosion protection, ideal for the most demanding environments. They are available in aqueous dispersion (Graph’Up Oxi W) and epoxy base (Graph’Up Oxi S) for solvent-based formulations. These additives are used in paints and varnishes. They provide effective protection against corrosion and help to extend the life of coatings in many sectors.
Graph’Up Oxi is equally suited to the building and industrial sectors. In the automotive industry, this additive provides improved protection for chassis and bodywork parts. It is also suitable for use in the aerospace industry for coatings on metal structures and exposed components.
Graph’Up Force, additives for mechanical reinforcement
Graph’Up Force, a high-performance graphene-based additive, reinforces the mechanical properties of materials. It increases their strength and durability.
How can it be used? Graph’Up Force can be used in a wide range of applications, including construction, where it is helping to decarbonise the building sector.
It improves the mechanical properties of low-carbon cements, positioned as an alternative to Portland cements, which are very efficient but much more emissive.
In the composite materials industry, it can be incorporated into structural parts used in a wide range of sectors, including aeronautics and renewable energies, in new-generation hydrogen tanks, for example.
These additives are also used in the automotive industry and in the manufacture of sports equipment such as bicycle frames and tennis rackets.
Optimising composites production processes with Graph’Up Optim
How can you improve your industrial processes? That’s the question Graph’Up Optim answers by reducing the time and temperature taken to cure composites.
These optimisations reduce costs and increase productivity in some industrial processes, while reducing CO2 emissions per Kg of composites produced.
This additive is designed to be used in a few industrial sectors, including energy storage and the automotive industry, where it aims to speed up the production of hydrogen tanks. In aeronautics, this type of high-performance graphene-based additive will simplify the manufacture of complex parts, enabling production rates to be increased. And the renewable energies sector is benefiting particularly from it to improve the production of wind turbine blades.
Carbon Waters, French leader in graphene-based performance additives
Carbon Waters is Europe’s leading designer and producer of graphene-based performance additives for advanced materials.
With tailor-made solutions, Carbon Waters uses its expertise to help industrial players optimise their products and develop innovative applications.
By combining efficiency, durability and respect for the environment, the Graph’Up range perfectly demonstrates its interest in the industries of tomorrow.
Innovate alongside Carbon Waters with the Graph’Up additives range
With the rise of electric (EV) and hybrid (HEV) vehicles, demand is growing for technologies with improved thermal management of electronic control units (ECUs). As components of these new-generation vehicles, ECUs require efficient heat dissipation to ensure their smooth operation, reliability and longevity. Faced with this challenge, the NLTNS (Next Leading Thermal Nano Solution) project, supported by the European Commission and the EUROSTARS3 Member States under the aegis of the EUREKA programme, is tackling the design of new thermal interface materials (TIMs) capable of meeting these requirements. Carbon Waters is contributing its expertise in this area. Find out more.
The challenge of thermal management in electric vehicles
The NLTNS project aims to create a high-performance thermal interface material (TIM) using nanomaterials to improve heat management in the ECUs of electric and hybrid vehicles. It aims to develop solutions based on nanomaterials. These will not only improve thermal conductivity, but also reduce the weight and size of systems, boosting the overall efficiency of ECUs.
Carbon Waters lends its expertise to the NLTNS project
Graphene is a material with exceptional properties, particularly in terms of thermal and electrical conductivity. It offers an ideal solution for improving the performance of TIMs for electric vehicles.
In NLTNS project, Carbon Waters is contributing its expertise in pre-dispersion its expertise in the technology of very high quality , stable pre-dispersionsof very high quality graphene. The aim is to develop an adhesive capable of dissipating heat efficiently. The use of nanomaterials, combined with other nanofillers, will then be used to meet the thermal challenges thermal challenges faced by ECUs, while optimising the performance of electric and hybrid electric and hybrid vehicles.
International collaboration for more sustainable mobility
Launched in July 2024 for a 36-month period, the NLTNS project brings together partners with complementary expertise. Daeshin Techgen, a Korean company specialising in heat sinks, as well as research institutions such as Kookmin University and the Gyeongbuk Institute of IT Convergence Technologies, are taking part in the project. Avanzare, a Spanish graphene supplier, is contributing its experience in graphene functionalisation, while Carbon Waters is focusing on the formulation of graphene-based additives. This complementarity will enable the development of innovative solutions in several areas based on this material. The aim of this international collaboration between Europe and Korea is to accelerate the development of new technologies to meet the growing thermal management needs of the automotive sector.
The long-term objective is to meet global demand for more efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles by reducing emissions and improving the durability of electronic systems.
The success of this project will contribute to a transition towards more sustainable mobility.
The NLTNS project is a perfect example of how international collaborative innovation can meet today’s technological challenges. Together, we are committed to finding high value-added solutions for cleaner, more efficient mobility, while helping to reindustrialise and decarbonise our economies. As a player in the NLTNS project, Carbon Waters is continuing its role in the development of advanced materials for concrete applications in the automotive and wider mobility sectors.
Electrical energy is a central pillar of the energy transition. In fact, most of the appliances we use or will use in the future are battery powered. So, the need for high-performance, sustainable storage solutions has never been more pressing. But current batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, have serious limitations in terms of cost, environmental impact and efficiency. Yet exponential demand means the industry has to react quickly. Faced with these challenges, a promising material is emerging: graphene.
In this article, we invite you to discover how graphene is set to transform the battery industry and meet tomorrow’s energy challenges.
The impact of battery production
By 2024, 17 million electric cars (100% electric or plug-in hybrids) could be sold worldwide, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA). That’s 3 million more than last year.
To meet the growing demand for electric mobility, battery production is exploding. Their deployment is set to grow exponentially by 2023. The IEA’s special report points out that it increased by more than 130% compared with the previous year.
However, lithium-ion batteries, which dominate the market, require the use of rare metals such as cobalt, manganese and lithium. Given the limited availability of these materials, it is essential to find solutions to optimise their performance and use increasingly limited quantities.
Battery production also represents a crucial challenge if we are to succeed in meeting the climate targets set at COP28. These include a six-fold increase in global energy storage by 2030.
Performance problems
Batteries are still subject to reliability problems. It’s not uncommon for them to break down or malfunction. The result: a need to recharge more frequently or to replace the faulty device.
Against this backdrop, the battery market, and the lithium-ion battery market in particular, is in dire need of renewal. The challenge is to minimise their impact on the environment while increasing their reliability and lifespan. This is why players in the sector are looking for new components to increase the energy density, safety and longevity of batteries. Innovation is therefore turning to innovative materials such as graphene.
Objective: to improve existing battery technologies
The world needs not only to increase the capacity of renewable energies, but also to improve energy efficiency.
New-generation batteries will play a key role in achieving this.
They are essential for supporting the development of clean energies, the electrification of transport and decarbonising these sectors.
They are a competitive and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
NASA’s SABERS programme, which is exploring innovative solutions for light electric aviation, is a perfect example of this.
Since January 2023, the global battery market has intensified its adoption of graphene.
In the UK, Nanotech Energy plans to launch a lithium-ion battery gigafactory using graphene in 2026. Several other investments have been made in graphene production companies, including those orchestrated by Evonik in February 2023 and Stellantis in May 2023.
Graphene-based batteries: a forward-looking solution
Yes, in the next few years, batteries made from graphene could well make their mark on transport.
Made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, graphene offers exceptional electrical conductivity, a large specific surface area and remarkable lightness and flexibility.
These unique properties could make next-generation batteries more efficient and longer-lasting than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Thanks to the high mobility of the charge carriers, batteries incorporating graphene promise significantly improved charging and discharging speeds, while maintaining optimum thermal stability even under extreme conditions.
The fact that the volume of the anode does not change with each charge and discharge cycle means that the batteries will last longer, avoiding the need for frequent replacement.
Graphene-based batteries would therefore not only be more efficient, but also more durable.
In environmental terms, they would require fewer scarce resources by using carbon, a material that helps to reduce their ecological impact.
What applications for graphene?
Thanks to its remarkable properties, graphene will encourage the development of innovative energy storage solutions.
Ultimately, graphene-based batteries will support the transformation of key sectors.
With its flexibility and mechanical strength, smartphones, tablets and other portable devices will benefit from longer battery life and reduced charging times. Batteries will be thinner and lighter, making smart devices even more powerful.
Electric vehicles (EVs/HEVs) will benefit from greater range and much shorter recharging times.
In terms of sustainability and energy efficiency, the energy storage sector will have access to a new source of storage for solar and wind energy.
Carbon Waters develops a new range dedicated to energy storage
Given the excellent compatibility of graphene with the other materials used in Li-Ion batteries, Carbon Waters has launched the development of a new range for energy storage. An initial collaboration with a CNRS laboratory specialising in materials for batteries has led to a series of preliminary discussions with European industrial and institutional players.
Our research has shown that specific formulations developed from Carbon Waters’ graphene-based dispersions (Graph’Up) are not only highly stable in lithium-ion battery mixtures – unlike many other graphene-based solutions – but also have an efficiency comparable to that of the carbon-based reference products currently used in the industry. To date, Carbon Waters is continuing to develop its expertise in this area and has opened the first discussions with European chemists who are experts in the battery sector.
The battery industry, particularly the lithium-ion sector, is actively seeking new materials capable of increasing energy density, safety and battery life.Graphene is emerging as a real solution for the future.
Batteries made from graphene promise to make devices more efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly. They could replace traditional technologies and meet the ambitious targets set at COP28, while also meeting the growing global demand for energy storage.
However, integrating graphene into batteries remains costly and is still at the development stage. At the same time, other alternatives are emerging, such as supercapacitors and fuel cells. Combined with advances in graphene, these technologies may in turn transform the approach to storage.
Since its inception, Carbon Waters has quickly established itself as an innovative player in the field of graphene-based performance additives. After several years dedicated to research and development, we are now reaching a major milestone with the installation of our first production unit at our facility in Pessac.
Research & Development: the key to Carbon Waters’ success
From the beginning, we have focused on innovation to meet the growing demands of industries for high-performance materials.
Our team devoted the early years of Carbon Waters’ activity to research and development, which led to the creation of a unique process protected by six patent families. This process enables the production of pre-dispersed graphene, ready to use by industries, while retaining the material’s intrinsic properties such as barrier qualities, mechanical strength, as well as high thermal and electrical conductivity.
In 2022, building on these advancements and the positive feedback from our industrial partners, we launched the recurring production of our high-performance and ready-to-use additive range, Graph‘Up. These additives are dedicated to anticorrosion paints, mechanical reinforcement and thermal property optimization of polymers and composites.
Thanks to this first production step industrials players are able to conduct their own tests by directly integrating our additives into their formulations and installations. These tests do not only confirmed the effectiveness of our solutions but also paved the way for new applications in various fields.
New production unit: accelerating production capacity
Summer 2024 marks a turning point for Carbon Waters with the arrival of our first production unit, designed in collaboration with Pignat, a recognized leader in high-precision industrial equipment design. This investment helps us multiply our production capacity by fifteen, a major step forward in meeting growing industrial demand.
Carbon Waters increases its production capacity
Clear and ambitious goals
The commissioning of our new production unit represents a decisive shift for Carbon Waters. We are now able to produce larger quantities and meet the increasing orders for our additive ranges while expanding our reach. This new production capacity opens the door to more complex industrial projects as well as supply contracts, particularly in the fields of polymers and composites or for conductivity applications.
Process optimization was at the core of the design of this unit. Created to streamline and enhance the efficiency of our manufacturing processes, it provides a solid foundation for the deployment of future production units, strengthening our collaborations with industrial subcontractors.
This first production unit also opens new perspectives for optimizing the efficiency and refining the design of our products while addressing current industrial challenges. We are now able to produce more, faster, and provide our partners with sustainable, high-performance solutions and additives, better suited to their long-term needs.
Looking ahead: a strengthened commitment
With this first production unit, we are ready to fully enter a phase of industrial growth and development. We continue to pursue our mission of supporting industries in the transition to more high-performance and sustainable materials. This step marks the beginning of a new era in our production. It also heralds exciting opportunities for the future, with even greater capacities and future innovations, particularly in energy storage.
The installation of a production unit propels Carbon Waters toward new horizons. With increased capacity and constant innovation, we are ready to tackle the industrial challenges of tomorrow and accelerate the transformation of performance materials.
Depuis décembre 2023, Carbon Waters contribue au projet européen MACRAMÉ, une initiative collaborative réunissant 19 partenaires issus de divers domaines : entreprises, laboratoires et institutions académiques. Financé par le programme-cadre de l’Union européenne Horizon Europe, il se concentre sur l’évaluation des risques sanitaires et environnementaux des nanoparticules avancées comme le graphène, les nanotubes de carbone, et l’oxyde de graphène. L’objectif est de soumettre ces particules non sphériques à des tests rigoureux afin de comprendre leurs impacts sur le cycle de vie des produits, leur toxicité et éco-toxicité. À ce jour de nombreuses analyses sont en cours. Tour d’horizon.
Une analyse complète du cycle de vie des nanoparticules
Le programme MACRAMÉ, d’une durée de trois ans, vise à caractériser les nanoparticules à travers plusieurs études de cas concrets. L’un des points centraux est de comprendre comment elles interagissent dans des produits finaux tels que les sprays, vernis ou encore les boîtiers de batterie.
Production, utilisation, étapes de dégradation et de recyclage… C’est l’ensemble du cycle de vie qui est étudié afin de déterminer la toxicité et l’écotoxicité des matériaux.
Mieux déchiffrer les risques associés à ces nanoparticules est un véritable challenge. MACRAMÉ aura ainsi la possibilité de proposer des normes adaptées pour l’utilisation de ces matériaux dans l’industrie.
Le rôle de Carbon Waters au sein du programme MACRAMÉ
Carbon Waters occupe une double fonction dans ce programme. En tant que producteur d’additifs de performance à base de graphène, l’entreprise est chargée de fournir des dispersions de nanoparticules de haute qualité pour les études.
Parallèlement, elle agit en tant qu’expérimentateur en testant un vernis pour les enveloppes de batteries. Ce cas d’étude particulier vise à analyser de quelle façon ce matériau réagit lors de sa mise en œuvre et durant les phases de dégradation, telles que l’abrasion ou l’exposition à des températures élevées.
L’un des principaux défis rencontrés consiste à simuler la fin de vie du produit pour déterminer si le composite contient des particules toxiques nuisant à l’environnement ou à la santé humaine. Pour y parvenir, Carbon Waters travaille en étroite collaboration avec des experts, notamment le laboratoire national de métrologie et d’essais (LNE) et l’institut suisse EMPA, spécialisés dans l’analyse des particules fines.
Le bilan des dix-huit mois
En juillet 2024, le programme MACRAMÉ a franchi une étape clé en passant avec succès sa réunion de revue des dix-huit mois avec la Commission européenne et la European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Celle-ci a confirmé les avancées significatives du projet en matière de recherche et d’innovation (R&I). Les résultats préliminaires ont, d’ailleurs, été présentés lors de la MaterialsWeek, qui se tenait à Chypre du 17 au 21 juin derniers.
Cet événement marque une progression majeure dans la compréhension de l’impact des nanoparticules sur la santé humaine et l’environnement. Elle consolide ainsi de solides bases pour les futures étapes du programme.
Analyse du cycle de vie (ACV) : des données à venir
Une analyse du cycle de vie (ACV) des nanoparticules de graphène a récemment été lancée. Réalisée par l’entreprise Temasol, elle vise à quantifier les impacts environnementaux tout au long du processus de production et d’utilisation du graphène.
Actuellement, les données initiales concernant le procédé de Carbon Waters, – notamment la consommation énergétique dans des conditions contrôlées – sont en cours d’examen.
Quel horizon pour MACRAMÉ ?
D’ici début 2025, les prochaines étapes consistent à analyser les flux de matières pour déterminer la forme et la quantité des particules en fin de vie du matériau. Ces données aideront à identifier les risques d’exposition pour les utilisateurs et l’environnement.
Fin 2025, l’ACV de la résine époxy enrichie en graphène devrait également être finalisée. Elle apportera des données précises sur l’impact environnemental de l’exploitation du graphène dans les matériaux composites.
Un programme clé pour l’avenir des matériaux avancés
MACRAMÉ représente une opportunité unique de normaliser l’utilisation des nanoparticules non sphériques dans des applications industrielles.
Les résultats attendus permettront de proposer des recommandations et des méthodologies de travail standardisées pour garantir la sécurité lors de l’utilisation des matériaux à base de graphène et autres nanoparticules.
Carbon Waters continue de renforcer son expertise dans la production durable d’additifs de performance à base de graphène en collaborant avec d’importants acteurs européens dans la recherche sur les nanomatériaux. MACRAMÉ ouvre ainsi la voie vers de nouvelles perspectives pour optimiser les procédés et intégrer des matériaux avancés dans des industries clés comme les batteries ou le stockage d’énergie.
Les prochains résultats livreront des données critiques pour mieux saisir et contrôler l’impact des nanoparticules sur la santé et l’environnement en faveur d’une utilisation sécurisée et responsable du graphène à plus grande échelle. Rendez-vous début d’année 2025 pour plus d’informations.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just a showcase for athletes, they also highlight the latest innovations in sports equipment. Beyond athletic achievements, the technical sophistication and performance of certain clothing, equipment, and accessories are enhancing results. Numerous materials are contributing to the evolution of this industry, and graphene, with its champion-like properties, is taking center stage. How is it making its mark? In this article, we will explain why the unique characteristics of graphene make it a promising technology for sports equipment manufacturers.
What is graphene?
Although invisible to the human eye and only one atom thick, graphene is the lightest, strongest, and most conductive material ever discovered. It boasts unique properties such as:
- Exceptional mechanical strength,
- High thermal and electrical conductivity,
- Enhanced flexibility and lightness.
Its use shows great promise in many industries, and sports is no exception. Graphene’s unique characteristics make it a future technology for athletes looking to push the boundaries of performance.
The benefits of graphene in the sports industry
Being extremely lightweight, graphene helps reduce the weight of sports equipment while increasing its durability. This allows athletes to optimize their performance by moving faster, maximizing the efficiency of their efforts.
As a durable material, graphene is also an asset for technical sports accessories and clothing, contributing to reducing the environmental impact linked to the production of new products in the sports industry.
Another bonus point: good thermal management. This enhances the comfort of the most technical sportswear. And let’s not forget the safety aspect. Graphene is particularly robust, increasing the comfort and safety of athletes through better impact dissipation.
Graphene is gradually revolutionizing the sports industry by improving equipment components. Its potential is still largely untapped and is set to grow as graphene production technologies advance.
Graphene makes sports equipment lighter
Graphene is transforming the sports industry by offering lighter, stronger equipment. A pioneer in this field, in 2013, Head was the first manufacturer to integrate this technology into its tennis racket frames. This innovation lightened their products by nearly 20% while optimizing weight distribution. Graphene has since entered the skiing world, enabling the creation of much lighter skis with improved rebound and rigidity.
British brand Inov-8, known in the trail running and triathlon world, introduced the first sports shoes with a graphene-enhanced outsole. This innovation offers 50% more durable and elastic grip than traditional soles, eliminating the trade-off between traction and durability.
With its Roclite range, Inov-8 has also integrated graphene into hiking and sports shoes. These graphene-infused rubber soles provide exceptional grip on all surfaces while maintaining durability and robustness.
In cycling, graphene is used in high-end bike frames, as seen with the Italian brand Guerciotti, making bikes lighter and stronger to boost cyclists’ performance.
Made from graphene, sports equipment not only becomes lighter but also more efficient for athletes.
Innovative sportswear with graphene
The sportswear market is booming, and in recent years, sports equipment manufacturers have been seeking technical innovations to enhance athlete performance. Increasingly, they are using graphene to gain a competitive edge.
Why? When incorporated into textile fibers, graphene provides innovative functionalities such as thermoregulation, bacteria resistance, and UV protection. Athletes stay cool in hot weather and warm in cold conditions. In addition to regulating body temperature, graphene’s bacteriostatic properties limit odor formation. Leading brands like Colmar and Oakley have already adopted these technologies in their sportswear, including jackets, ski gloves, and cycling jerseys. Their goal? Efficiently eliminate body heat.
In recent years, the manufacturer Vollebak has also introduced a reversible graphene jacket weighing just 197 grams. In this case, the material is placed at the core of the jacket, where it can store and redistribute heat, helping to regulate temperature and reduce moisture near the body. This type of jacket is extremely breathable and highly waterproof.
Yes, graphene is making its mark in the sportswear industry, transforming sports clothing to maximize performance, comfort, and durability. This material is opening the door to new possibilities for developing smart clothing.
Applications in all sports with Graph’Up performance additives
Graphene-based performance additives from the Graph’Up range, developed by Carbon Waters, are opening new perspectives in the sports industry.
Ready-to-use, they simplify integration into the manufacturing processes of various sports equipment. Even at low concentrations, their powerful action improves several key material properties such as strength, lightness, and durability.
Compatible with a wide range of materials, from resins to polymers and composites, these all-purpose additives replace several other components in the same formulation.This reduces production costs and process complexity.
For example, in sports such as cycling or tennis, additives can be used to reinforce helmets, bicycle frames, balls (golf, tennis, etc.) or rackets and increase their performance. With Graph’Up solutions, sports equipment manufacturers can improve athletes’ performance while helping to limit the industry’s environmental impact.
Graphene has found many innovative applications in the sports industry. It is a major advantage for considerably improving the technical nature, performance and safety of sports equipment. Textiles, accessories or equipment: far from being a sporting gamble, this material of the future is highly promising and is set to play a growing role in the world of sport.
After a career with the Thales Group, Emmanuel Derory set up and developed a company in the field of energy conversion. As an entrepreneur and business angel, in this article he tells us about the journey that led him to co-found Carbon Waters 8 years ago… With a wealth of experience under his belt and a continuing passion for innovation, he shares with us the challenges he has faced and his ambitions for the future of the company. Interview.
To begin with, let’s talk about your career. What have been the major milestones in your career?
Emmanuel Derory (ED): I started out in 1989 working for the Thales Group as an engineer. I then co-founded a company specialising in energy conversion, where I worked for eighteen years. The company developed solutions for supplying energy to equipment subject to high-stress environments, particularly in the embedded sector (aeronautics, railways, etc.). We worked with major players such as Airbus, Boeing, Alstom and Samsung….
My first job was as Technical Director.
My job was to develop a product catalogue to address the global market.
I then crossed the Atlantic to North America to structure our subsidiary and deploy our sales force on the American market. Back in Bordeaux in 2003, I took charge of technical support and product marketing for the Asian and European markets. I defined the products to be developed for the future based on customer feedback and our sales network. And in 2011, I wanted to explore new horizons. So, I left the company to set up my own business and invest in innovation and energy conversion, subjects that I’m still passionate about.
At what point did your path cross that of Carbon Waters?
ED: Already involved in entrepreneurship and start-ups in the Gironde as a business angel, I met Alban Chesneau through the Agence de Développement et d’Innovation (ADI) Nouvelle-Aquitaine. I also met Carlos Drummond and Alain Pénicaud, who were behind the discovery and development of a new graphene production process. I was immediately convinced by the potential of the project and the significant impact it could have on a number of sectors by adding real value. It was after a long discussion with Alban that he suggested I join the venture.
And how are you involved in its development?
ED: Alban asked me to join him so that he could benefit from my experience in organisation, technological development and sales. I’m not involved in any operational way, but I do offer thoughts and suggestions on various subjects, particularly the strategic and financial aspects. My role is to share what I’ve learned during my career, particularly about marketing, sales and industrial strategies. And, of course, to guide the company towards achieving its objectives.
Against this backdrop, what are the main challenges you face in supporting Carbon Waters?
ED: The main challenge is the commercial development of our products. It is crucial to convince customers of the potential for improvement offered by our innovative solutions. This is a major asset in making the industrial sector more responsible. This will require a major investment on the part of Carbon Waters’ sales teams.
The second challenge is industrialisation.
The company needs to be able to produce and deliver in line with global demand. I’m working with the teams to set up this industrial organisation.
What are your ambitions for the future of Carbon Waters?
ED: My ambition is to see Carbon Waters succeed in establishing a significant and lasting commercial presence. Over the next few years, I hope that we will have convinced many sectors of the efficiency and added value of our products. The aim is also to be able to meet this demand in industry.
We have huge potential, and I’m confident in our ability to achieve these goals.
To conclude, would you have any advice for entrepreneurs wishing to enter the innovative technology sector like Carbon Waters?
ED: I’d like to stress the importance of the sales force! Innovation is crucial, as is R&D, but it’s only the first step. Commercial development is what really makes the difference. It’s essential to think about the commercial strategy from the outset and to commit to it in the field. My advice to entrepreneurs is not to underestimate this phase and to make sure that they are prepared to devote the necessary time and resources to it.