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GrapheneCore2 · Project

Graphene-Based Materials and Coatings Ready for Industrial Product Integration

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graphene-flagship.eu

Imagine a material thinner than a sheet of paper but stronger than steel and better at conducting electricity than copper — that's graphene. This massive European effort brought together 210 partners to move graphene out of the lab and into real products: anti-corrosion paints, solar panels, smart textiles, and pollution-cleaning coatings. Think of it as the project that turned a wonder material into things factories can actually make and sell. They built working demonstrators across six market-driven areas, from a solar park in Crete to sensors that detect multiple substances at once.

By the numbers
EUR 88,000,000
EU contribution to the project
210
consortium partners across the value chain
21
countries represented in the consortium
101
industry partners involved
40
SMEs participating in development
85
total deliverables produced
6
working demonstrators built
6
market-motivated spearhead projects
The business problem

What needed solving

European manufacturers spend billions annually on corrosion damage, inefficient solar technologies, and dumb textiles that cannot sense or respond to their environment. Graphene could solve many of these problems — it is stronger than steel, more conductive than copper, and lighter than almost anything — but until recently it was stuck in university labs with no clear path to factory floors. Companies need graphene solutions that are tested, manufacturable, and backed by a reliable supply chain.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered 6 working demonstrators: a graphene-perovskite solar park in Crete, a nano-oscillator prototype, anti-corrosion paint on structural metal elements, a multianalyte sensing device, a graphene-enhanced textile demonstrator, and photocatalytic coatings for air and water remediation. In total, 85 deliverables were produced across 6 market-motivated spearhead projects.

Audience

Who needs this

Industrial coatings manufacturers fighting corrosion on steel infrastructureSolar panel producers seeking next-generation photovoltaic materialsTechnical textile companies adding smart functionality to fabricsWater treatment companies needing advanced photocatalytic purificationSensor manufacturers developing multi-analyte detection devices
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Coatings & Corrosion Protection
mid-size
Target: Industrial coatings manufacturers and marine/infrastructure maintenance companies

If you are a coatings manufacturer dealing with premature corrosion failure on steel structures — this project developed graphene-enhanced anti-corrosion paints demonstrated on structural elements, showing improved homogeneity and flow characteristics. With 101 industry partners already involved, the supply chain from graphene producer to coating formulator is mapped out. The demonstrator proved the coating works on real metal samples, not just in a lab dish.

Solar Energy & Building-Integrated Photovoltaics
enterprise
Target: Solar panel manufacturers and renewable energy developers

If you are a solar energy company looking for next-generation panel technology — this project built a graphene-perovskite solar park demonstrator in Crete under real sunlight conditions. The EUR 88,000,000 flagship moved perovskite solar cells from lab curiosities to an outdoor installation. This means you could integrate a lighter, potentially cheaper solar technology into building facades or portable energy systems.

Smart Textiles & Wearable Technology
SME
Target: Technical textile producers and sportswear/workwear manufacturers

If you are a textile company trying to add sensing or heating capabilities to fabrics — this project delivered a textile demonstrator integrating graphene-based materials directly into woven products. With 40 SMEs in the consortium, the technology was developed with small manufacturers in mind. The result is functional fabric that could enable heated workwear, health-monitoring garments, or anti-static industrial clothing.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or source graphene materials from this project?

The project itself does not publish pricing. However, with 101 industry partners and 40 SMEs already in the consortium, multiple commercial suppliers emerged from this work. Licensing terms would depend on the specific application — coatings, solar, sensors, or textiles — and the partner holding the IP.

Can these graphene products be manufactured at industrial scale?

The project was explicitly designed to move toward higher manufacturing readiness levels, with six market-motivated spearhead projects introduced during this phase. Demonstrators like the anti-corrosion coated structural element and the solar park in Crete show production beyond lab scale. The 48% industry ratio in the consortium signals serious manufacturing intent.

Who owns the intellectual property and how can I access it?

IP is distributed across 210 partners in 21 countries, coordinated by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Each demonstrator likely has its own IP holders among the contributing partners. Accessing specific patents or licenses requires contacting the relevant partner through the coordinator.

Are there regulatory hurdles for graphene-based products?

Graphene materials fall under REACH chemical regulations in the EU. The project's photocatalytic coatings for air and water remediation would need environmental compliance testing. Based on available project data, the demonstrators were tested under real-life conditions, which suggests some regulatory groundwork was done.

How long before these technologies reach commercial products?

The project ran from 2018 to 2020 and delivered 85 deliverables including 6 working demonstrators. The objective states this phase moved from components to integrating components in larger systems. Some outputs like anti-corrosion coatings and sensor devices are closer to market than others like the nano-oscillator prototype.

Can these graphene solutions integrate with our existing production lines?

The anti-corrosion paint demonstrator was designed to show flow characteristics and homogeneity compatible with standard coating processes. The textile demonstrator similarly targets integration into existing weaving and fabric production. Based on available project data, integration feasibility was a core design goal of the spearhead projects.

Consortium

Who built it

This is one of the largest EU research consortia you will encounter: 210 partners across 21 countries with EUR 88,000,000 in EU funding. What matters for business is the split — 101 industry partners (48% of the consortium) and 40 SMEs, meaning nearly half the work was done by companies, not just universities. The 71 universities and 35 research organizations provided the science, but industry drove the application. Coordinated by Chalmers University in Sweden, the consortium spans the full value chain from raw graphene production to end-product integration. For a company looking to adopt graphene technology, this means the supply chain already exists across Europe — you are not waiting for someone to figure out manufacturing.

How to reach the team

Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) coordinates the 210-partner consortium. SciTransfer can identify the right contact person for your specific application area.

Order a report on this consortiumSee CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the graphene team working on coatings, solar, sensors, or textiles? SciTransfer identifies the right partner for your specific need and arranges a direct introduction.

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