First Graphene Limited announced it has entered into a collaboration agreement with High Density Poly- Ethylene (HDPE) sheet extrusion specialist DSP (M) Sdn Bhd (DSP). The collaboration will be focused on the development of PureGRAPH? enhanced HDPE sheet and welding wire to provide increased durability, abrasion resistance and fire retardancy of fabricated HDPE components. The collaboration agreement is for 1 year, with the ability to extend further at the end of the term. Each party will contribute scientific and industry knowledge at its own cost with First Graphene providing access to its PureGRAPH? product range. There are no other material terms of the agreement or an assessment of economic impact at this stage. First Graphene is working closely with UK-based compounder Hubron International Ltd, a specialist masterbatch formulator, on the development of a new masterbatch tailored specifically for the HDPE grade used in the sheet extrusion process. Following evaluation, the PureGRAPH? enhanced HDPE sheet/welding wire will be launched as a new product line to be marketed by both DSP and First Graphene. The collaboration comes in response to several challenges communicated by end users and fabricators, including known performance issues due to limitations with the traditional properties of HDPE materials. HDPE can be used as an alternative fabrication material in a number of applications providing unique benefits including high impact resistance, corrosion resistance, antifouling properties and reduced carbon footprint. PureGRAPH enhanced HDPE aims to boost the tensile and flexural properties of the material, allowing parts to be fabricated with increased durability or weight reductions to compete with more traditional materials. Extruded HDPE film and sheet accounts for approximately one third of the global HDPE market which reached a value of USD 70.7 billion in 2020.