Graphene Composites
Graphene Composites is a UK-based advanced materials engineering company that develops graphene/aerogel composite technologies for ballistic protection (GC Shield), antipathogen air filter coatings (GC Halo), and thermal management, serving law enforcement, defence, education, and industrial customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBincombe, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Graphene Composites does
Graphene Composites is a UK-headquartered advanced materials engineering company that develops and commercialises graphene/aerogel composite technologies across multiple product verticals. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Sedgefield, County Durham, the company operates distinct product lines including GC Shield (lightweight ballistic protection using a proprietary 'Hypersonic Shear Thickening' mechanism that achieves NIJ Level III+ performance at half the weight of comparable hard armour), GC Halo (a graphene oxide and silver nanoparticle antipathogen coating for air filters), GC Thermal Management (nanomaterial-based heat dissipation solutions claimed to more than double cooling efficiency), and supporting lines in vibration control and structural composites.
The company commercialises its patented technologies through a hybrid business model combining direct hardware sales of GC Shield products to law enforcement, schools, and defence customers, technology licensing for GC Halo coatings to filter manufacturers (e.g., Sun Filter in Thailand), and patent licensing including a NASA technology licensing agreement. Go-to-market is anchored by enterprise field sales and heavy trade show participation (IACP, DSEI, Milipol Paris, Security & Policing, Advanced Materials Show, Enforce Tac), supplemented by channel partners including Safeware Inc for US distribution, Level Peaks for UK defence, and NORDSEC cluster membership for Nordic market access.
The company is privately held and venture-backed primarily through equity crowdfunding (multiple Crowdcube rounds totalling approximately £14M+ across 3,796+ investors) plus institutional investment. It maintains wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States (Cambridge, Rhode Island) and Norway (Oslo), and its primary customer segments are law enforcement and public safety, educational institutions (active shooter protection), defence contractors (armoured vehicles, blast mitigation), commercial buildings and healthcare (air quality), and industrial infrastructure (data centres, renewable energy, EV battery thermal management).
Graphene Composites firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Graphene Composites
- Legal name
- Graphene Composites Ltd
- Website
- https://graphenecomposites.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Graphene Composites is a UK-based advanced materials engineering company that develops graphene/aerogel composite technologies for ballistic protection (GC Shield), antipathogen air filter coatings (GC Halo), and thermal management, serving law enforcement, defence, education, and industrial customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Graphene Composites industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Materials & Ballistic Protection
- NAICS
- Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (335991), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Carbon Fillers (Carbon Black, Graphite) (IMAEAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Protective Coatings (IMADAKAB), Activated Carbon & Carbon Adsorbents (IMAEAIAF)
Keywords
Where Graphene Composites is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bincombe
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Graphene Composites business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Ballistic Shield Products: Sale of GC Shield and GC Patrol Shield ballistic protection products to law enforcement, schools, and government agencies. Products sold directly and through partnerships. Pricing based on product tier and configuration.
- GC Halo Air Filter Coatings: Licensing and sale of GC Halo coating technology to filter manufacturers (e.g., Sun Filter's NanoGuard filters). Manufacturing partners apply the coating to their filters and distribute through their channels.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of patented graphene/aerogel composite technologies to partners and customers, working closely to incorporate GC technologies into their production processes. Includes licensing agreements with NASA for nano-material products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | GC Patrol Shield - lightweight ballistic shield |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Graphene Composites product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Graphene Composites develops and commercialises graphene/aerogel composite materials across multiple product lines. Its primary offerings are GC Shield lightweight ballistic shields for law enforcement, defence and schools, and GC Halo antipathogen coatings for HVAC air filters. It also sells GC Thermal Management and GC Vibration Control nanomaterials, and licenses its patented technologies to manufacturing partners such as NASA, Sun Filter, and William Blythe.
Product overview
Graphene Composites (GC) is an advanced materials engineering company that develops and commercialises graphene-based technologies across multiple product lines. The company offers a portfolio of distinct products including: GC Shield ballistic protection shields (GC Patrol Shield, GC RF2 Shield, GC Shield Wall, GC Shield Curtain) using patented graphene/aerogel composites; GC Halo antipathogen air filter coating technology; and GC Thermal Management solutions for heat dissipation. GC also operates divisions focused on Defence, Vibration Control, and Structural Composites. The company commercialises its patented technologies through direct product sales (GC Shield, GC Halo) and IP licensing partnerships with manufacturers and product owners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GC Shield: Lightweight ballistic shield technology using graphene/aerogel composite for protection against rifle rounds and handgun threats. Includes GC Patrol Shield and GC RF2 Shield products.
- GC Halo
- GC Ink
- GC Thermal Management
Quantifiable outcome
- 77% SARS-CoV-2 reduction in single air pass with GC Halo coated filters
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Graphene Composites
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Graphene Composites technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Graphene Composites partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor, exploratory and accelerator.
- NASAcoreNASA technology licensing agreement for patented nano-material product. GC USA became part of NASA Technology Program in 2020. This prestigious partnership provides access to space-grade technology and validates GC's advanced nanomaterials expertise.
- Black Swan GraphenestrategicPartnership for graphene supply to support GC's advanced materials manufacturing. Black Swan Graphene brings additional supply chain capacity for graphene materials.
- NORDSECstrategicGC joined NORDSEC (Nordic Defence Cluster) to broaden defence capabilities within Nordic region. Strategic partnership for regional defence market expansion.
- Safeware IncstrategicPartnership with protective solutions leader Safeware to provide next-generation ballistic protection to US market through established distribution channels.
- Khalifa University's RIC2DstrategicCollaborative partnership with Khalifa University's Research Innovation Center on 2D Materials (RIC2D) to advance graphene-based technologies.
- FoxFury LightsminorComplementary partnership combining GC Patrol Shield with FoxFury's B30 & B50 Tasker Shield Lights for tactical officers. Provides panoramic lighting and situation assessment alongside ballistic protection.
- William BlythecorePartnership for supply of graphene oxide for GC Halo. William Blythe (part of Synthomer Group, FTSE 250) scaled up to 50-tonne capacity for high purity graphene oxide dispersion product from Lancashire facilities.
- SINTEFexploratoryResearch collaboration with SINTEF in Oslo, Norway to explore opportunities in advanced materials research. Initial exploration of partnership opportunities in key development areas.
- Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS)strategicR&D partnership to use GC's nanomaterials for blast and ballistic protection of armoured vehicles. Focus on GC Shield technology for ABBS's underbelly blast plate designs with potential 30% weight reduction vs standard ballistic steel.
- Sun FiltercoreManufacturing partnership with Sun Filter (Thailand) for GC Halo coating on branded NanoGuard filters. Sun Filter exhibited at Bangkok RHVAC Conference representing first international distribution of GC Halo products.
- MassChallenge Rhode IslandacceleratorGC USA selected for MassChallenge Rhode Island Accelerator Program, winning Platinum Award. Provided mentorship, resources, and network access for US market entry.
- Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)coreThree-year earn-in agreement allowing CPI to convert 30% of GC's expenses into equity shares. CPI is part of UK Government's High-Value Manufacturing Catapult. Three-year technology development partnership with Graphene Application Centre.
- Thomas SwancoreGraphene collaboration using Thomas Swan's GNP-M grade graphene from their Consett, UK facility. Thomas Swan provides graphene nanoplatelets (20T/year capacity) using patented High-Shear Liquid Phase Exfoliation process. Critical to GC's armour product development.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Graphene Composites competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Haydale Graphene Industries: UK-listed graphene and advanced materials company commercialising graphene-enhanced composites and coatings for defence, aerospace, and industrial applications. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered graphene nanomaterials company pursuing similar end markets to Graphene Composites.
- Versarien plc: UK advanced materials company specialising in graphene production and graphene-enhanced composites for sports, aerospace, and construction. Closely comparable as a UK-based graphene materials innovator targeting multiple industrial verticals.
- Applied Graphene Materials: UK producer of graphene nanoplatelets and dispersions used in coatings, composites, and barrier materials. Comparable as a direct graphene materials peer supplying similar industrial customers and applications.
- Point Blank Enterprises: US-based manufacturer of body armour and ballistic protection systems for law enforcement and military. Directly comparable as a competing supplier of NIJ-certified ballistic shields and protective equipment.
Emerging players
- First Graphene: Australia-based commercial-scale graphene producer targeting industrial applications including composites and coatings. Comparable as a graphene materials supplier focused on industrial end uses.
- Camfil: Global air filtration manufacturer and solutions provider for commercial, healthcare, and industrial HVAC. Comparable as a potential channel partner or competitor in the antipathogen air filter coating space.
Broad incumbents
- Avon Protection: Global leader in respiratory and ballistic protection for military, law enforcement, and first responders. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the protective equipment market where GC Shield competes.
- Safariland Group: Major US manufacturer of body armour, ballistic shields, and tactical equipment for law enforcement. Comparable as an established incumbent offering overlapping ballistic protection products.
- GrafTech International: Global manufacturer of graphite electrodes and engineered graphite-based products including thermal management solutions. Comparable as a broader incumbent in engineered carbon/graphite materials overlapping with GC's thermal management line.
- 3M: Diversified global manufacturer of advanced materials, coatings, and personal protective equipment. Comparable as a broad incumbent supplying coatings (Halo adjacency) and PPE/filtration (Halo adjacency) into similar end markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Graphene Composites social profiles
Digital presenceGraphene Composites compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Graphene Composites financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Graphene Composites leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Graphene Composites subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Graphene Composites funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Graphene Composites M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Graphene Composites
What does Graphene Composites do?
Graphene Composites develops and commercialises graphene/aerogel composite materials across multiple product lines. Its primary offerings are GC Shield lightweight ballistic shields for law enforcement, defence and schools, and GC Halo antipathogen coatings for HVAC air filters. It also sells GC Thermal Management and GC Vibration Control nanomaterials, and licenses its patented technologies to manufacturing partners such as NASA, Sun Filter, and William Blythe.
Is Graphene Composites a public or private company?
Graphene Composites is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Graphene Composites founded?
Graphene Composites was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Graphene Composites based?
Graphene Composites is headquartered in Bincombe, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Graphene Composites make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ballistic Shield Products are the primary driver. The others are GC Halo Air Filter Coatings and technology Licensing.
Who are Graphene Composites's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Haydale Graphene Industries, Versarien plc, Applied Graphene Materials and Point Blank Enterprises. Emerging players are First Graphene and Camfil. Broad incumbents are Avon Protection, Safariland Group, GrafTech International and 3M.
Does Graphene Composites have an API?
No public API is recorded for Graphene Composites.
What industry is Graphene Composites in?
Graphene Composites's product category is Advanced Materials & Ballistic Protection. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAFAO, Functional Carbon Fillers (Carbon Black, Graphite), with a secondary code of IMADAKAB, Industrial Protective Coatings. Its NAICS code is 335991 and its SIC code is 2820.