Graphene manufacturer Versarien has secured a deal which will see a Brazilian sportswear brand use its technology in a new clothing range.
The advanced engineering materials company, which is based in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, has reached a commercial agreement with Bia Brazil after 16 months of “extensive trials” with the firm’s local supply chain partners in South America.
It is the latest textiles collaboration for Aim-listed Versarien, with the company having announced partnerships with global brands Superdry and Umbro within the last year.
Versarien said its graphene formula - created from a nanomaterial made from a single layer of carbon atoms - would see wearers of the garments benefit from “enhanced thermal transmittance, increased moisture management and faster drying rates”.
The clothing is expected to be available for sale in the UK and worldwide during the first quarter of the next financial year.
Founded in 1994, Bia Brazil describes itself as “the largest exporter of activewear clothing in Brazil”, with its products available in more than 60 countries.
Versarien's chief executive Neill Ricketts said: "We are hugely excited to be in partnership with Bia Brazil. Through our partnership we will be able to create garments that have been designed with comfort, style and design in mind, whilst also maintaining high levels of quality and performance with our Graphene-Wear technology."
Beatriz Dockhorn, founder and chief executive of Bia Brazil, added: "Working with the Versarien team, we have designed a next-generation clothing range. We are excited about the next stage of our partnership as we look to production and delivery of our range to market."
Versarien said it has subjected its latest innovation technology to “extensive wearer trials” with the help of the University of Gloucestershire.
The firm, which is also exploring applications for its graphene tech in the construction, biomedical and aerospace sectors, told BusinessLive in July it was close to completing a new laboratory space at its production facility in Longhope business park, which has been earmarked for future projects and job creation.
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