Versarien plc (LON:VRS), the AIM quoted advanced engineering materials group has today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Bromley Technologies Ltd (“Bromley Technologies”) to collaborate on the development of graphene enhanced carbon fibre products using Versarien’s graphene nano platelets.

Bromley Technologies, founded in 2000 by Dr Kristan Bromley, four time Olympian and World Champion Skeleton racer, is focussed on developing and marketing innovative, game changing products and technologies, particularly in the action sports domain. Bromley Technologies has particular expertise in carbon fibre composite structures and it is intended that Versarien will collaborate in the design and testing of a wide variety of graphene enhanced composite structures, using Versarien’s patented process.

The initial focus is expected to be on products in the elite sports area, where the early adoption of new technology to gain a performance advantage is common place. These products are also expected to showcase the use of graphene in carbon fibre composite structures more widely.

Dr Kristan Bromley, CEO of Bromley Technologies, commented: “The opportunities that Graphene technologies offer within the sports industry are disruptive and extremely exciting. We are delighted to be working with Versarien plc in exploring these opportunities. Our mission at Bromley Technologies is to develop high performance sports products that help athletes win medals on the world stage. With a focus on developing new Skeleton innovations for use at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, we are positioned as a business to continue to push boundaries and in doing so tap into a new era of technology.”

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien plc commented: “We are delighted to be working with Dr Bromley and his team. I am particularly excited by the prospect of the addition of Versarien’s graphene technology to products being developed for elite international athletes, delivering significant performance gains in sports where success is measured in fractions of a second. Elite sport also acts a clear proving ground and demonstrator for cutting edge technologies that can then be applied to mass market applications.

As early adopters of new technological applications, the sporting sector is very attractive space for Versarien to operate in, in addition to this, the testing process is relatively fast in comparison to the more traditional engineering and industrial projects we have completed in the past.”