Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Sustainability
• Circular Economy
• Climate Change
• Supply Chain Responsibility

Environmental Achievements

• Developed Graphene-Wear™ technology for enhanced thermal and moisture management in textiles, potentially reducing the environmental impact of textile production.
• Collaborated on projects to bring graphene-enhanced PPE to market.
• Developed graphene-enhanced polymer range, Polygrene™, for use in industrial extrusion and spun into fibres/filaments, potentially reducing microfibre shedding.

Social Achievements

• Collaborated with MAS Holdings in Sri Lanka to develop graphene-enhanced textiles.
• Partnered with the Royal College of Art (RCA) to design sportswear using Graphene-Wear™ formulations.
• Conducted independent wearer trials at the University of Gloucestershire to assess the performance and comfort of Graphene-Wear™ garments.
• Partnered with Superdry to develop enhanced textiles and garments using Graphene-Wear™ technologies.

Governance Achievements

• Versarien Graphene Limited’s facility is listed on the Open Apparel Registry (OAR).
• Graphene-Wear™ formulations are produced in accordance with the ZDHC MRSL.
• Commitment to sustainability goals, including supporting Superdry's aim to become Net Zero by 2030.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• The fashion industry's significant contribution to global carbon emissions and water consumption.
• The need to address challenges related to the sustainability of the textile sector and its impact on climate change.
• Limitations of natural and bio-based polymers in terms of mechanical properties.

Mitigation Strategies

• Development of Graphene-Wear™ technology to enhance textile performance and reduce environmental impact.
• Collaboration with partners to optimize ink formulation, scale up production processes, and improve designs and printing procedures.
• Exploration of using graphene to enhance recycled materials for textile production, improving durability and reducing the need for virgin materials.
• Development of biodegradable materials containing graphene that meet relevant global compostability standards.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Use of water-based Graphinks™ with plant-based stabilizer
• Adherence to ZDHC MRSL

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Reducing the environmental impact of textile production through Graphene-Wear™ technology

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13: Climate Action

Graphene-Wear™ technology contributes to sustainable textile production, reducing environmental impact and promoting innovation.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Graphene-Wear™ textiles
• Polygrene™ graphene-enhanced polymers

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Purchase of graphene manufacturing assets to provide up to an additional 100 tonne powder capacity per annum
• Orders placed for the purchase of ink scale up equipment to give an additional 12,000 litres of ink capacity per annum
• Focus on reduction of CO2 emissions and increased asset life in concrete applications
• Graphene enhanced concrete produced similar performance results as the CEM1 by utilising a fraction of a percent of graphene in the concrete.
• 99% of dry waste diverted from landfill in printing this report

Social Achievements

• Launch of graphene enhanced protective face masks
• Formation of the Versarien Graphene Advisory Panel
• Board strengthened by the appointment of James Stewart CBE as the Company’s new independent Non-executive Chairman
• Appointment of Dr. Stephen Hodge to the Company’s Board as Chief Technology Officer
• Total Carbide Limited won national and regional awards for its work with apprentices and young people.

Governance Achievements

• Adoption of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Corporate Governance Code
• Appointment of a non-executive chairman resulting in a balance of executive and non-executive directors
• Establishment of Audit and Remuneration Committees with formal terms of reference
• Implementation of ethical policies for all employees

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Covid-19 pandemic impacting mature businesses and slowing progress in some areas
• Competition risks from new products or technologies
• Intellectual property protection risks
• Development risk dependent on customer adoption rates
• Attraction and retention of key employees
• Future funding risks
• General economic conditions
• Commodity price risks
• Brexit impacts on trade regulations, people, contracts, IP and European Grants
• Health and safety concerns regarding graphene

Mitigation Strategies

• Careful cash management and use of invoice discounting facilities
• Innovate UK loan of £5 million and £1.9 million development contract from DSTL
• Strategic investment from Graphene Lab Limited
• Continual market monitoring and investment in new technology
• Providing share options and career advancement opportunities to key employees
• Maintaining relationships with multiple banks and shareholders
• Expanding product range and geographical reach
• Purchasing from multiple sources and managing stock levels
• Monitoring events and taking necessary actions regarding supply chain and customer relationships
• Setting up Versarien Europe SL to mitigate Brexit supply chain issues
• Diverse product base enabling continued trading during the pandemic
• Use of furlough scheme and CBILS loan
• Performing relevant human and environmental toxicology testing
• Taking on key industry roles in graphene health and safety committees

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Working with supply chain to develop mutually beneficial relationships

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: QCA Corporate Governance Code

Certifications: ISO 9002, ISO 14001 (paper mill and printer)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Graphene enhanced protective face masks
• Graphene enhanced concrete
• Graphene enhanced elastomers

Awards & Recognition

• National and regional awards for Total Carbide Limited's work with apprentices