GMG to sell graphene HVAC coating in US

With the groundwork laid out for its THERMAL-XR graphene-based HVAC coating, Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (GMG) recently expanded its product reach to North America, receiving approval from Canada and awaiting the final okays from the U.S.

Based out of Richlands, Australia, GMG is a clean-tech company that, instead of mining or sourcing graphite to refine into graphene, makes the wonder material through a unique synthetic process.

The company has devised a proprietary method to produce high-quality, low-cost, scalable, tunable, and no or low-contaminant graphene by reducing methane into its constituent elements – hydrogen, some residual hydrocarbon gases, and carbon.

Developing its green graphene, GMG first targeted the energy savings segment by focusing on graphene-augmented heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, (HVAC) coatings, lubricants, and fluids.

Called THERMAL-XR RESTORE, this HVAC coating system is a unique method of improving the conductivity of corroded heat exchange surfaces and maintaining the performance of new units at peak levels. Powered by GMG Graphene, THERMAL-XR RESTORE is a direct-to-metal, water-based acrylic paint specifically designed to adhere to HVAC and refrigeration coils.

According to GMG, the process coats and protects the heat exchange surfaces while improving and rebuilding the lost corroded thermal conductivity and increasing the heat transfer rate by leveraging the physics of graphene, which results in overall improvement through efficiency and energy reduction.

North American expansion

After revealing its product late last year, GMG quickly resolved to spread its product to one of the heaviest consumers of HVAC technology in the world – North America.

At the AHR Expo, one of the largest HVAC-R expositions in North America, GMG launched THERMAL-XR in the United States under a new name and a new continental distributor, Nu-Calgon.

In line with GMG's commercialization process, corporate growth and channel strategy outlined in last September, the brand "Nu-Calgon CoolWorx powered by GMG Graphene" will possibly be seen in supply stores for HVAC specialists in the coming months.

With approvals already confirmed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada, cosigning its import and use within Canada, the final hurdle is the approval process through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

GMG says all required documentation has been submitted, and the EPA has assigned a case number as part of its evaluation. Ultimately, the company believes the approval should be received some time in the first quarter of this year.

"I am very excited to see Nu-Calgon officially launch the product at the Chicago AHR Expo and also to see the Canadian Government approve THERMAL-XR powered by GMG Graphene for importation and sale in Canada," said Graphene Manufacturing Group CEO Craig Nicol. "The company is expecting the USA EPA approval in short order and then after this we can start selling into the largest HVAC-R coating market in the world – the United States of America with our distributor partner Nu-Calgon."

With its product soon to reach American markets, this is just the start of its four-stage business plan. Looking further into the future, GMG has successfully developed its technology as step one; and will next begin building revenue from its energy saving products as step two; however, steps three and four move into the realm of batteries, as the company hopes to utilize its graphene in next-gen energy storage technologies.

If its product sees a marked level of success, we may once again hear from GMG, but next time, with the reveal of a battery powered by graphene.