What is Graphene at Blackleaf?
BLACKLEAF produces and develops graphene-based solutions for a greener industry. This project focuses on graphene conductive inks and graphene additives designed to reduce carbon footprints while boosting performance. BLACKLEAF’s unique offering ranges from easy-to-apply conductive inks to easy-to-disperse additives, each engineered to enhance thermal management, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties. Utilizing an innovative water-based ecological production process – entirely Made in France – BLACKLEAF makes graphene affordable for industrial applications. The approach is not only about high value products at competitive market prices but also a commitment to a sustainable world, where renewable and eco-friendly approaches ensure that environmental impacts are minimized.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
The project delivers high-performance solutions underpinned by several outstanding properties of graphene. Key figures include:
- 200 times stronger than steel
- 100,000 times thinner than a sheet of paper
- Incredibly lightweight at 0.77 mg/m²
- 10 times more electrically and thermally conductive than copper
- 5 times higher conductivity than diamond
These factors highlight the “super” characteristics of graphene – strong, conductive, impermeable, and flexible – which have far-reaching implications across industries such as composite materials, lubricants, coatings, and even hydrogen fuel cells. The figures are not only impressive but indicative of the transformative impact graphene-based innovations can have on products and processes.
Graphene’s Revolutionary Properties
Graphene, discovered in 2004, is an allotrope form of carbon known for its remarkable mechanical, electrical, chemical, optical, and thermal properties. With abilities that include enhancing the attributes of composite materials and alloys – from rubber and plastic to aluminum and concrete – graphene is rightfully celebrated for its “super” properties. Think of it as a material so innovative that it not only improves the performance of numerous products but also paves the way for sustainable advancements in areas like EMI shielding and anti-corrosion coatings. It’s a breakthrough that brings together cutting-edge science and the practical needs of industry.
Tailored Innovations and Custom Solutions
BLACKLEAF’s portfolio spans from graphene conductive inks used for heating and lubrication to additives that enhance thermal and electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and barrier effects. In addition, a dedicated Research and Development team – with eight patents filed since 2018 – works tirelessly to develop custom solutions tailored to meet specific industry challenges. Whether the need is for longer battery life, improved semiconductors, or reinforced mechanical structures, the project brings concrete, market-ready solutions grounded in an in-depth understanding of real-world challenges. The company’s ability to offer custom solutions exemplifies the dynamic and responsive nature of modern industrial innovation.
Sustainable Production with High Volumes
The project not only prides itself on high value but also on high volume production, manufacturing over 120 tons of graphene products per year at the best market prices. With production entirely made in France, the process echoes BLACKLEAF’s commitment to a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach. The production methods emphasize low energy heating, extended material lifespan, and the elimination of polluting metals in coatings — all contributing to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions. This marriage of sustainability with large-scale production ensures that eco-friendly innovation is practical, scalable, and ready for a global market.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
The Future is Graphene-Driven
The dynamic capabilities of graphene hold the promise of a brighter, greener future. As industrial sectors continue to integrate advanced materials into their product lines, BLACKLEAF’s innovations demonstrate how incorporating graphene can lead to significant gains in performance and sustainability. The project’s ethos – rooted in a responsible manufacturing process and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship – not only reinforces industry trust but also propels ongoing research and development. With endorsements from esteemed institutions like BPI France and France Industrie, and trusted partnerships by industry leaders such as Airbus, Safran, and Thales, the influence of graphene is clearly on the rise. There’s a sense of momentum, a feeling that the gradual shift toward a sustainable, efficient, and resilient industrial landscape is both achievable and already underway… it is a future shaped by scientific breakthroughs and a shared vision of a better world.
