Risks and Rewards: First Graphene’s Graphene Projects Target High-Stakes Clean Energy and Aerospace Markets

Hydrogen Storage Innovation Takes Shape

First Graphene Limited (ASX – FGR) has announced significant progress in its involvement with the HyPStore project, a A$3.72 million initiative aimed at developing lightweight, impermeable cryogenic tanks for liquid hydrogen storage and transportation. This project, a collaboration between nine Australian and UK entities, is already producing a prototype Type V tank and advancing testing protocols at cryogenic temperatures.

Central to this effort is the use of graphene nanoplatelets incorporated into resin systems, which First Graphene is testing alongside its proprietary PureGRAPH material. This graphene-enhanced resin has demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce hydrogen permeability by up to 48 times, a critical factor for the safe and efficient storage of hydrogen, a clean energy carrier gaining global momentum.

Cutting-Edge Testing and Material Development

To support these developments, First Graphene has installed a Tinius Olsen Universal Tester in its Manchester R&D lab. This equipment allows comprehensive testing of tensile, compressive, and flexural strength of materials, ensuring that the graphene composites meet rigorous performance standards. The company is also exploring how graphene can enhance fire retardancy and structural strength of the tanks, further improving safety and durability.

Scaling Graphene for Aerospace 3D Printing

In parallel, First Graphene is engaged in the EFFICIENT Project, a 10-month collaboration with Imperial College London and University College London, funded with A$1.2 million from Innovate UK. This project focuses on upscaling chemically modified graphene to improve laser-based 3D printing of copper components, widely used in aerospace and motorsport industries.

Graphene’s ability to enhance laser light absorption and heating efficiency means copper can melt faster and at lower temperatures during printing, potentially reducing energy consumption and costs. First Graphene is investigating both the chemically modified graphene developed in the project and its own PureGRAPH product as scalable solutions to meet the demand for lightweight, complex metal parts.

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

First Graphene’s Managing Director Michael Bell highlighted the strategic value of these projects, noting how they leverage the company’s graphene expertise to open new commercial pathways in clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. The HyPStore project not only advances hydrogen storage technology but also enriches First Graphene’s intellectual property portfolio, with spillover benefits into carbon fibre and Kevlar composites.

Meanwhile, the aerospace-focused 3D printing initiative aligns with growing industry demands for sustainable, high-performance materials. These projects collectively underscore graphene’s versatility and First Graphene’s positioning as a key player in future-facing industries.