LOLC Advanced Technologies (LOLC AT), Australia, a subsidiary of LOLC AT, Sri Lanka, has taken a major step in expanding graphene technology with a strategic partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. The partnership, launched following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August 2023, aims to enhance the availability of high-quality graphene technology globally.
This collaboration brings together Khalifa University’s Research & Innovation Centre for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) and LOLC AT, leveraging Sri Lanka’s world-renowned graphite resources, which are critical for producing high-quality graphene. Graphene, known for its exceptional strength, flexibility, and conductivity, is used in various advanced industries, including electronics and renewable energy.
LOLC AT’s subsidiary, Ceylon Graphene Technologies (CGT), a leading producer of graphene, will serve as the primary material supplier for RIC2D. This partnership capitalizes on Sri Lanka’s unique position as the sole producer of the world’s highest quality graphite. According to Manju Gunawardana, LOLC Group CEO of Research and Innovation, this strategic advantage gives Sri Lanka a competitive edge in the graphene industry.
In addition to this partnership, INTRATOMICS, the commercial arm of RIC2D, will focus on bringing cutting-edge graphene research to the market. A new state-of-the-art graphene production facility, the first in the Middle East, is being established in Abu Dhabi. This facility will be overseen by RIC2D and will utilize CGT’s proprietary technology, strengthening both the production and technological capabilities of the joint venture.
Homaid Abdulla Al Shimmari, Vice-Chairman of Khalifa University’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the partnership as a key move towards supporting the UAE’s transition to a sustainable and diversified economy through advanced material innovation.
This joint venture not only strengthens LOLC AT’s presence in the Middle East but also positions Sri Lanka’s graphene production at the forefront of the global market. The collaboration promises to set new standards in graphene production and commercialization, boosting both the UAE’s and Sri Lanka’s influence in the high-tech industry.