Graphene TPU Integration De-Risks Industrial Adoption but Market Impact Unclear

First Industrial-Scale Shipment Marks Commercial Breakthrough

First Graphene Limited (ASX – FGR) has announced the successful fulfilment and shipment of its first significant industrial-scale order of PureGRAPH 10 Masterbatch, a graphene-enhanced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The 500-kilogram shipment to PT Alasmas Berkat Utama in Indonesia represents the initial delivery under a commercial supply agreement inked earlier this year in May 2025.

This milestone is notable as it demonstrates the practical integration of graphene additives into TPU products at scale, specifically for the soles of KRUSHERS brand work boots. These boots are targeted at the Southeast Asian market, where durability in harsh environments like mining and construction is critical.

Seamless Integration and Manufacturing Efficiency

The PureGRAPH 10 Masterbatch was compounded by Duromer Products in Vietnam, who produced pelletized masterbatch that requires no changes to existing TPU processing or manufacturing lines. This non-intrusive integration is a significant advantage, reducing barriers to adoption for manufacturers who can incorporate graphene-enhanced materials without costly equipment upgrades or process disruptions.

First Graphene’s CEO Michael Bell highlighted the importance of this development, noting that the successful delivery and application of the masterbatch de-risk the use of graphene additives in TPU products. This paves the way for broader market acceptance and scaling across other industrial applications.

Expanding Potential Across Industrial and Safety Applications

Beyond work boots, the company envisions future orders extending to other safety footwear ranges and potentially into other TPU-based products such as screen media, conveyor components for mining, and personal protective equipment like gloves and helmets. The enhanced durability and performance characteristics offered by graphene additives could translate into longer product lifespans and reduced environmental impact through lower material waste and energy consumption.

First Graphene’s robust manufacturing platform, anchored by abundant high-purity raw materials and scalable technology, positions it well to meet growing demand. The company’s strategy to partner with industry players like PT Alasmas and Duromer underscores its commitment to commercialising graphene-enhanced materials in practical, high-growth markets.

Looking Ahead

With the initial 20% of the supply agreement completed, attention now turns to fulfilling the remaining volume and exploring new partnerships to customise graphene additives for diverse TPU applications. The success of this shipment will be closely watched as a bellwether for the commercial viability of graphene-enhanced industrial materials.