First Graphene Secures First PureGRAPH Order for Mining Polyurethane

First Graphene Limited has secured its first production purchase order for PureGRAPH® from Australian polyurethane manufacturer Pacific Urethanes Pty Ltd, marking a significant step in the commercialisation of its graphene technology. The order introduces both a new customer and a new application for PureGRAPH®, with the graphene material being incorporated into polyurethane formulations designed to improve fire-retardant performance for products used in Australia’s mining and resources industry.

The purchase order follows successful development and testing activities and moves the technology into commercial manufacturing. First Graphene said the agreement demonstrates the potential to integrate PureGRAPH® into established polyurethane systems while preserving the mechanical characteristics that make polyurethane widely used in demanding mining environments.

Pacific Urethanes develops and manufactures high-performance polyurethane systems for mining, resources, infrastructure and industrial applications. Polyurethane is commonly used for screening media, wear liners, slurry-handling systems, conveyor components, pumps, pipes, seals, protective coatings and chute and hopper liners because of its strong abrasion resistance, flexibility, toughness and impact performance.

However, fire performance can become a critical limitation in underground mining, where exposure to fire, smoke and potentially hazardous gases creates significant safety concerns. PureGRAPH® is being added to Pacific Urethanes' polyurethane formulations to address this challenge.

According to First Graphene, graphene’s highly planar structure can create a barrier within the polymer matrix, limiting the movement of heat and decomposition products. It can also support the development of a more protective char layer when the material is exposed to fire. Research involving graphene-enhanced polyurethane systems has reported improvements in areas such as heat release, thermal degradation and smoke generation.

The technology therefore offers an opportunity to improve the fire-retardant properties of polyurethane without sacrificing the wear resistance and mechanical performance required in mining applications.

The commercial opportunity is substantial. First Graphene estimates that the global urethane mining products market is currently worth around US$2.6 billion annually and could approach US$3.8 billion by 2032. The market covers polyurethane-based products used throughout mineral screening, slurry management, pumps and piping, transfer points, liners and other high-wear applications.

Initially, Pacific Urethanes will focus on the Australian mining sector. However, First Graphene believes the requirement for durable materials with enhanced fire performance creates potential applications across international mining markets and other polyurethane segments.

The order also strengthens PureGRAPH®'s commercial positioning by expanding the technology beyond existing applications into fire-retardancy enhancement, potentially creating recurring demand as polyurethane manufacturers adopt the material across additional industrial products.

Impact on Chemical Commodity Prices

The order is positive for PureGRAPH® and graphene-based materials because it validates a commercial application in high-performance polyurethane and provides a pathway toward recurring industrial demand. If Pacific Urethanes successfully scales the technology, PureGRAPH® could gain wider adoption in mining wear liners, seals, conveyor components and other polyurethane products requiring improved fire resistance. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, the immediate price impact should remain limited because the initial order is relatively small and does not materially alter global feedstock demand. Over the longer term, broader graphene adoption could support incremental demand for graphene materials and potentially influence specialty polyurethane additive markets, while conventional polyurethane feedstock prices are likely to remain driven primarily by broader supply-demand fundamentals.