Graphene, the wonder material reshaping modern manufacturing, represents one of the most exciting investment opportunities in advanced materials today. Understanding what is graphene used for is essential for investors seeking exposure to this emerging sector.
The Material That’s Stronger Than Steel But Thinner Than Paper
What is graphene used for? This single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, discovered in 2004, has become the building block for revolutionary applications. With properties including 200 times the strength of steel, exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity, transparency, and sunlight-triggered electricity generation, graphene serves industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare.
The versatility is stunning: flexible display screens, wearable devices, high-speed transistors, energy storage systems, lightweight aircraft composites, automotive components, medical implants, sensors, solar cells and sports equipment all benefit from graphene integration. Coatings enhance battery and generator performance, while composites reduce vehicle and aircraft weight—directly addressing fuel efficiency demands.
Publicly Traded Graphene Producers: A Snapshot of Market Leadership
Several companies have positioned themselves at the forefront of graphene commercialization, each pursuing distinct applications and manufacturing approaches.
HydroGraph Clean Power (CSE:HG, market cap C$518.48 million) operates a patented detonation process licensed from Kansas State University, producing 99.8% pure graphene. Recent collaborations include advanced dispersions for high-performance electrodes and a medical partnership integrating fractal graphene into early-detection lung cancer technology.
NanoXplore (market cap C$536.64 million) stands out for its environmentally friendly, high-volume production of GrapheneBlack powder. The company targets lithium-ion batteries with its SiliconGraphene anode material and reported Q3 2025 revenues of C$30.45 million alongside doubled adjusted EBITDA metrics.
Talga Group (ASX:TLG, market cap AU$230.05 million) operates a vertically integrated model—mining graphite and producing battery anodes. Recent regulatory wins include Net-Zero Strategic Project status for its Swedish facility and government approval for its Nunasvaara South mining permit. In May 2025, the company secured a four-year offtake agreement with Nyobolt for 3,000 metric tons of Talnode-C battery anodes.
Black Swan Graphene (market cap C$102.83 million) expanded aggressively in 2025, tripling production capacity from 40 to 140 metric tons annually. A C$6 million financing in February funded commercialization efforts, while partnerships with Modern Dispersions and distribution agreements with Ferro, Thomas Swan and METCO Resources accelerated market penetration.
CVD Equipment (NASDAQ:CVV, market cap US$18.82 million) supplies specialized deposition systems for graphene and nanomaterial production. The company posted 11.5% revenue growth in 2024 to US$26.9 million, with H1 2025 revenues jumping 19.2% to US$13.4 million—highlighting aerospace and semiconductor segment strength.
Directa Plus (LSE:DCTA, market cap GBP 11.24 million), an Italy-based nanoplatelet producer, markets G+ Graphene Plus for textiles and composites. Its subsidiary Setcar leverages proprietary Grafysorber technology to absorb 100 times its weight in oil recovery, securing contracts worth €4.09 million in early 2025 across environmental services.
First Graphene (ASX:FGR, market cap AU$39.14 million) developed an environmentally sound graphite-to-graphene conversion method. Patent approvals from Australia and South Korea for its Kainos technology arrived in January 2025, followed by an AU$2.4 million private placement. Supply agreements in Southeast Asia and research partnerships with Imperial College London position the company for aerospace and motorsports applications.
Graphene Manufacturing Group (market cap C$101.09 million) commercializes graphene-enhanced coatings for HVAC and data centers, graphene lubricant additives for engines, and aluminum-ion batteries co-developed with Rio Tinto. The company approved AU$900,000 for Gen 2.0 manufacturing facilities with expected online status by mid-2026.
Haydale Graphene Industries (LSE:HAYD, market cap GBP 23.78 million) develops heating ink-based applications through partnerships with Manchester University’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre. March 2025 commercial contracts with Affordable Warmth Solutions and National Gas Transmission, followed by CE marking certification for JustHeat graphene heating systems, validate market demand.
The Investment Case: Supply Chain Expansion and Commercialization Acceleration
The graphene sector entered an inflection point in 2025. Companies simultaneously achieved production scale-ups, secured institutional partnerships, and converted pilot programs into commercial contracts. Revenue growth, capacity expansions approved for 2026, and strategic partnerships with automotive, aerospace, battery and utility companies signal market maturation beyond speculative interest.
Investors considering exposure should recognize that graphene’s applications—whether improving battery efficiency, reducing aircraft weight, revolutionizing thermal management or enabling next-generation medical diagnostics—address genuine industrial bottlenecks. The nine-company consortium developing cryogenic hydrogen tanks exemplifies how traditional industries are integrating graphene to meet decarbonization targets.
Beyond Public Markets: The Broader Graphene Ecosystem
While publicly traded companies dominate headlines, private-sector innovators including ACS Material, Advanced Graphene Products, Graphene Platform, Graphenea, Grafoid and Universal Matter continue advancing specialized applications.
Understanding Graphene Fundamentals
What distinguishes graphene from graphite? Both are carbon allotropes—structurally different forms of the same element. The critical distinction: graphene comprises a single atomic layer, while graphite consists of stacked graphene sheets. This single-layer structure unlocks graphene’s extraordinary properties unavailable in bulk graphite.
Graphene’s demonstrated capabilities—from enabling flexible electronics to improving sports equipment performance—ensure sustained investment in production innovations and application development across battery, thermal management, composites and emerging sectors for years ahead.
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Graphene, the wonder material reshaping modern manufacturing, represents one of the most exciting investment opportunities in advanced materials today. Understanding what is graphene used for is essential for investors seeking exposure to this emerging sector.
The Material That’s Stronger Than Steel But Thinner Than Paper
What is graphene used for? This single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, discovered in 2004, has become the building block for revolutionary applications. With properties including 200 times the strength of steel, exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity, transparency, and sunlight-triggered electricity generation, graphene serves industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare.
The versatility is stunning: flexible display screens, wearable devices, high-speed transistors, energy storage systems, lightweight aircraft composites, automotive components, medical implants, sensors, solar cells and sports equipment all benefit from graphene integration. Coatings enhance battery and generator performance, while composites reduce vehicle and aircraft weight—directly addressing fuel efficiency demands.
Publicly Traded Graphene Producers: A Snapshot of Market Leadership
Several companies have positioned themselves at the forefront of graphene commercialization, each pursuing distinct applications and manufacturing approaches.
HydroGraph Clean Power (CSE:HG, market cap C$518.48 million) operates a patented detonation process licensed from Kansas State University, producing 99.8% pure graphene. Recent collaborations include advanced dispersions for high-performance electrodes and a medical partnership integrating fractal graphene into early-detection lung cancer technology.
NanoXplore (market cap C$536.64 million) stands out for its environmentally friendly, high-volume production of GrapheneBlack powder. The company targets lithium-ion batteries with its SiliconGraphene anode material and reported Q3 2025 revenues of C$30.45 million alongside doubled adjusted EBITDA metrics.
Talga Group (ASX:TLG, market cap AU$230.05 million) operates a vertically integrated model—mining graphite and producing battery anodes. Recent regulatory wins include Net-Zero Strategic Project status for its Swedish facility and government approval for its Nunasvaara South mining permit. In May 2025, the company secured a four-year offtake agreement with Nyobolt for 3,000 metric tons of Talnode-C battery anodes.
Black Swan Graphene (market cap C$102.83 million) expanded aggressively in 2025, tripling production capacity from 40 to 140 metric tons annually. A C$6 million financing in February funded commercialization efforts, while partnerships with Modern Dispersions and distribution agreements with Ferro, Thomas Swan and METCO Resources accelerated market penetration.
CVD Equipment (NASDAQ:CVV, market cap US$18.82 million) supplies specialized deposition systems for graphene and nanomaterial production. The company posted 11.5% revenue growth in 2024 to US$26.9 million, with H1 2025 revenues jumping 19.2% to US$13.4 million—highlighting aerospace and semiconductor segment strength.
Directa Plus (LSE:DCTA, market cap GBP 11.24 million), an Italy-based nanoplatelet producer, markets G+ Graphene Plus for textiles and composites. Its subsidiary Setcar leverages proprietary Grafysorber technology to absorb 100 times its weight in oil recovery, securing contracts worth €4.09 million in early 2025 across environmental services.
First Graphene (ASX:FGR, market cap AU$39.14 million) developed an environmentally sound graphite-to-graphene conversion method. Patent approvals from Australia and South Korea for its Kainos technology arrived in January 2025, followed by an AU$2.4 million private placement. Supply agreements in Southeast Asia and research partnerships with Imperial College London position the company for aerospace and motorsports applications.
Graphene Manufacturing Group (market cap C$101.09 million) commercializes graphene-enhanced coatings for HVAC and data centers, graphene lubricant additives for engines, and aluminum-ion batteries co-developed with Rio Tinto. The company approved AU$900,000 for Gen 2.0 manufacturing facilities with expected online status by mid-2026.
Haydale Graphene Industries (LSE:HAYD, market cap GBP 23.78 million) develops heating ink-based applications through partnerships with Manchester University’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre. March 2025 commercial contracts with Affordable Warmth Solutions and National Gas Transmission, followed by CE marking certification for JustHeat graphene heating systems, validate market demand.
The Investment Case: Supply Chain Expansion and Commercialization Acceleration
The graphene sector entered an inflection point in 2025. Companies simultaneously achieved production scale-ups, secured institutional partnerships, and converted pilot programs into commercial contracts. Revenue growth, capacity expansions approved for 2026, and strategic partnerships with automotive, aerospace, battery and utility companies signal market maturation beyond speculative interest.
Investors considering exposure should recognize that graphene’s applications—whether improving battery efficiency, reducing aircraft weight, revolutionizing thermal management or enabling next-generation medical diagnostics—address genuine industrial bottlenecks. The nine-company consortium developing cryogenic hydrogen tanks exemplifies how traditional industries are integrating graphene to meet decarbonization targets.
Beyond Public Markets: The Broader Graphene Ecosystem
While publicly traded companies dominate headlines, private-sector innovators including ACS Material, Advanced Graphene Products, Graphene Platform, Graphenea, Grafoid and Universal Matter continue advancing specialized applications.
Understanding Graphene Fundamentals
What distinguishes graphene from graphite? Both are carbon allotropes—structurally different forms of the same element. The critical distinction: graphene comprises a single atomic layer, while graphite consists of stacked graphene sheets. This single-layer structure unlocks graphene’s extraordinary properties unavailable in bulk graphite.
Graphene’s demonstrated capabilities—from enabling flexible electronics to improving sports equipment performance—ensure sustained investment in production innovations and application development across battery, thermal management, composites and emerging sectors for years ahead.