Genova, Italy-based BeDimensional, a producer of Few-Layer Graphene (FLG) and Few-Layer Hexagonal Boron Nitride (FLhBN or FLB), announced on Friday that it has secured €20M in venture debt financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The announcement was made by EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and BeDimensional Chief Executive Officer Vittorio Pellegrini at the inauguration of the company plant in Genoa, which is the world’s first producer of FLG and FLB.
The plant inauguration was attended by academics, researchers, members of Italy’s Parliament, officials from the Liguria Region and the Municipality of Genoa, executives from BeDimensional’s partner companies, and financial-sector representatives.
BeDimensional plans to build a second plant in Italy to scale up production of FLG and FLB by 2027.
The Italian company will use the funds to increase its capacity to produce two-dimensional crystals more than tenfold to over 30 tonnes a year by 2028.
BeDimensional: Producing FLG and FLhBN or FLB
Led by Vittorio Pellegrini, BeDimensional was founded as a spin-off from the Graphene Labs of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.
BeDimensional produces two-dimensional crystals — Few-Layer Graphene (FLG) and Few-Layer Hexagonal Boron Nitride (FLhBN or FLB) with atomic-level thickness, the highest quality on the market.
The company aims to increase the production of these two-dimensional crystals for industrial use at competitive costs to revolutionise manufacturing with more efficient and sustainable materials.
Why focus on FLG and FLhBN?
BeDimensional recognises the potential of 2D crystals to drive the green transition, substitute critical raw materials, and create jobs in advanced manufacturing.
In an interview with Silicon Canals, Pellegrini says the company is working to bring these materials from the lab to various industries and aims to scale production significantly.
“With ambitions to significantly scale production, BeDimensional is committed to championing the emerging 2D market, securing Europe a leadership position in the production and supply of these advanced materials,” he says.
Quality checks, sourcing raw materials, and more
BeDimensional’s patented process produces FLG and FLhBN with atomic-level thickness, the highest quality on the market, which can easily be integrated into any material to enhance performance and durability.
“The company utilises its wide network of industrial partners, universities, and research institutions to test advanced prototypes and relies on its deep technical know-how to maintain strict quality control, using the most advanced techniques, on the atom-thick morphology of the crystals it produces,” says Pellegrini.
Currently, the company is led by a team with proven scientific and business credentials, 23 patent families, over 350 publications, and decades of collective commercial and financial experience.
Since its inception, the company has collaborated with the EU’s Graphene Flagship, the community’s largest investment in research and development dedicated to bringing 2D materials to market.
The company’s technologies are applied across industries, in energy storage and conversion products, smart textiles, paints, coatings, and composite materials.
BeDimensional plans to use graphene instead of graphite to tackle potential supply chain issues and risks related to raw material sourcing for two-dimensional crystals.
“This enables the company to optimise raw material use and create high-performance materials, aiming to reduce Europe’s reliance on critical materials imports and strengthen its industrial economy,” adds Pellegrini.
Applications beyond batteries and metal-free engine oils
“The properties of 2D materials make them easy to integrate into any material, liquid or solid. This has the potential to revolutionise energy storage, electronics design, clothing production, building construction, and even disease diagnosis and treatment,” says Pellegrini.
The company is focused on applications in the manufacturing sector, with key products being G-Leaf and B-Leaf.
G-Leaf is an ISO-compliant FLG, which is integrated into composites for Li-Ion batteries in collaboration with battery manufacturer VARTA.
Additionally, it is used as a metal-free lubricant in partnership with energy company Eni, in strengthening plastic materials, creating heat-generating paints for the building sector, and developing paints that protect against UV damage and ageing.
B-Leaf, an innovative FLhBN, is suitable for wearable technology, luxury, and performance applications.
The company has partnered with technical textile manufacturer Windtex Vagotex to create an innovative FLhBN-based membrane that improves heat regulation while maintaining mechanical strength.
Additionally, FLhBN has been integrated into a thermally active coating for leather that enhances breathability and heat transfer in shoes. Like FLG, BeDimensional’s FLhBN has been formulated into paints for companies in the energy and marine sectors to improve thermal management and protect against corrosion, UV damage, and ageing.
The future
According to Pellegrini, the company’s technology and growth potential have attracted the interest of important institutional partners and investors such as Eni Next, CDP Venture, Eureka! Venture, and Nova Capital.
“Moving forward, the Italian company is looking for partners, investors, collaborators, and clients across Europe, in the US, and globally,” he concludes.
The investor
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy.
EIB projects boost competitiveness, foster innovation, promote sustainable development, and improve social and territorial cohesion while supporting a fair and rapid transition towards climate neutrality.
“This project is a perfect example of how the EIB can help European innovators scale up new technologies that are critical for the EU’s industrial base and the green transition,” says EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti.
“We are contributing to Europe’s technological leadership, reducing our dependence on external suppliers and creating high-skilled jobs,” adds Vigliotti.
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