How Sparc’s Graphene Additives Slash Corrosion by 60% in Eco-Friendly Coatings

Graphene Enhances Sustainability and Performance

Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX – SPN) has announced a significant breakthrough in the performance of water-based epoxy coatings through the incorporation of graphene additives. Independent laboratory salt spray testing demonstrated up to a 60% reduction in corrosion compared to existing commercial products, marking a substantial advance in protective coatings technology.

Water-based coatings are increasingly favoured for their environmental benefits, including low toxicity, reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and easier application and cleanup compared to traditional solvent-based coatings. However, their adoption has been limited by inferior durability and performance. Sparc’s graphene-enhanced additives address these challenges, potentially unlocking broader market acceptance.

Robust Testing Validates Performance Gains

The company’s neutral salt spray tests, conducted over durations ranging from 480 to 1680 hours, evaluated corrosion resistance on steel panels coated with commercial water-based acrylic and Bis-A/F epoxy products modified with low dosages of select graphene grades. The results, assessed against international ASTM standards, confirmed significant improvements in corrosion resistance, with some formulations achieving up to 60% better performance than unmodified references.

While these promising results have not yet undergone independent verification, they build on Sparc’s earlier electrochemical testing and reinforce the company’s expertise in graphene additives for protective coatings.

Strategic Market Position and Commercialisation Outlook

Sparc’s graphene additives complement its flagship ecosparc product, which targets solvent-based coatings and is currently in field trials with major global coatings companies and large asset owners. The water-based epoxy coatings market, valued at approximately US$1.6 billion in 2022 and projected to grow at nearly 9% annually, represents a rapidly expanding segment driven by tightening environmental regulations and demand for sustainable solutions.

With commercial manufacturing capacity already established, Sparc aims to leverage its proprietary technology and industry relationships to accelerate product adoption. The company anticipates commercial acceptance and market penetration of graphene-enhanced coatings during fiscal year 2026, targeting a sizeable addressable market within the broader US$43 billion anticorrosion coatings industry.

Challenges and Next Steps

Despite the encouraging data and strong industry engagement, Sparc faces typical market entry hurdles including regulatory approvals, scaling logistics, intellectual property protections, and competition. The company’s ongoing field trials and confidential testing programs will be critical to validating long-term performance and securing commercial partnerships.

Overall, Sparc’s latest announcement underscores its growing influence in the sustainable coatings sector and highlights graphene’s emerging role as a valuable additive for enhancing protective coatings’ durability and environmental profile.