CORRECTION: HydroGraph and Sparc Technologies Team Up to Commercialize Graphene-Enhanced Coatings for Global Infrastructure Protection
MWN-AI** Summary
HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) (OTCQB: HGRAF) has announced a strategic partnership with Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX: SPN) (FRA: NLR) aimed at developing graphene-enhanced coatings for protective applications, corrected to specify collaboration with the South Australian Government. The collaboration centers on integrating HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene™ into Sparc’s ecosparc® additives, targeting the $33 billion protective coatings market. This partnership sets a framework for joint product testing and development, with plans for a definitive commercial agreement contingent on successful outcomes.
HydroGraph's Fractal Graphene™ is produced through an innovative explosion synthesis process, ensuring high purity and consistent performance—essential in harsh environments. Early testing revealed significant enhancements, such as a 39% to 60% reduction in corrosion creep in steel, assessed via ASTM D1654-08. Additionally, Sparc plans to validate these results through further ISO 12944 testing, a recognized standard for corrosion protection of steel structures.
This partnership is positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for sustainable protective solutions that extend the life of steel infrastructure across various sectors, including energy and transportation. HydroGraph’s CEO, Kjirstin Breure, highlighted the collaboration as an opportunity to penetrate a large market with established industry relationships.
Sparc's ecosparc® additives aim to provide a “drop-in” solution for existing coatings, simplifying integration for manufacturers. The collaboration also opens doors for joint marketing initiatives, aiming for accelerated adoption of graphene-enabled coatings globally.
Overall, this alliance not only seeks to enhance the performance of protective coatings but also represents a significant step toward sustainability in industrial applications.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent collaboration between HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. and Sparc Technologies Limited represents a significant opportunity within the protective coatings market, projected at approximately US$33 billion. HydroGraph's use of Fractal Graphene™ in Sparc's ecosparc® additives aims to enhance the performance of protective coatings, especially in industries reliant on corrosion resistance, such as energy, marine, and manufacturing.
Investors should take heed of several important elements that could impact the acceptability and market penetration of their graphene-enhanced coatings. Firstly, the partnerships formed between HydroGraph and Sparc, particularly Sparc's established relationships with major coatings manufacturers, can provide a pathway for quicker market entry and brand recognition. The expected testing and validation through ISO 12944 cyclic corrosion standards could lend substantial credibility to their products if successful.
However, potential investors should also consider the inherent risks associated with the production and application of graphene products. The technology's past challenges include consistency in performance and regulatory hurdles. Companies involved in innovative materials often face skepticism until results are proven in real-world applications. HydroGraph's commitment to producing high-quality graphene while minimizing carbon footprint is a notable advantage, but scalability remains a concern.
In addition, the expected timelines—12 months for potential commercial agreements—imply a waiting period before investors see tangible results. The performance outcomes will be key, as positive results could significantly enhance investor sentiment, while negative findings could cause setbacks.
Overall, maintaining a cautious approach is advisable when considering investments in HydroGraph and Sparc. Monitoring product development outcomes, market acceptance, and broader economic conditions will be essential for gauging the viability of this collaboration in generating long-term value for stakeholders.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline earlier today by HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) (OTCQB: HGRAF), please note that in the first sentence of the ninth paragraph, it should refer to the South Australian Government, and not the U.S. Government. The corrected release follows:
HydroGraph’s fractal graphene undergoing testing within ecosparc® additives designed to extend the life of steel assets in harsh environments
Partnership Targets US$33 Billion Protective Coatings Market
HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) (OTCQB: HGRAF) (“HydroGraph” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) dated March 23, 2026 with Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX: SPN) (FRA: NLR) (“Sparc”) to collaborate on the incorporation of HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene™ into Sparc’s ecosparc® additives for protective coatings.
The LOI establishes a framework for joint testing, product development, and the potential commercial supply of graphene for ecosparc® additives. Subject to successful performance outcomes, the parties intend to negotiate a definitive commercial agreement within approximately 12 months, although such agreement is not guaranteed.
The collaboration brings together Sparc’s proprietary ecosparc® additive platform with HydroGraph’s high-purity, low-carbon footprint Fractal Graphene™, produced through its proprietary explosion synthesis process. HydroGraph’s materials are engineered for consistent structure and dispersion, supporting reliable performance in demanding industrial applications.
Initial Sparc laboratory testing (up to 1,680 hours) incorporating HydroGraph’s FGA-1 Fractal Graphene™ into commercial water-based coating systems demonstrated highly positive performance benefits with 39% to 60% reduction in scribe corrosion creep according to ASTM D1654-08. Under the LOI, Sparc will conduct ISO 12944 cyclic corrosion testing (4,200 hours) in solvent-based coatings to validate performance under industry-standard conditions.
ISO 12944 is widely recognized as the premier international standard for assessing the corrosion protection of steel structures by protective coating systems and is used to simulate performance in real-world environments, including offshore, marine, and industrial applications. It is a key testing benchmark used by major coatings manufacturers.
Protective coatings play a critical role in preventing corrosion and extending the life of steel infrastructure across energy, marine, mining, and transportation sectors. The global protective and marine coatings market represents an estimated US$33 billion1 opportunity, with increasing demand for solutions that improve durability, reduce maintenance frequency, and lower lifecycle emissions.
Graphene-enhanced coatings have demonstrated the potential to significantly improve corrosion resistance by strengthening coating film performance and slowing degradation in harsh environments. However, widespread adoption has been limited by the lack of graphene quality and performance consistency across multiple data sets and relevant testing, including in real-world applications.
“Protective coatings represent one of the most immediate and scalable applications for graphene,” said Kjirstin Breure, President and Chief Executive Officer of HydroGraph. “We expect this collaboration to provide HydroGraph with a pathway into a large, established market through a partner with deep industry relationships and a proven additive platform. By combining Sparc’s formulation expertise with our high-purity Fractal Graphene™, we aim to deliver coatings that extend asset life, reduce maintenance cycles, and improve sustainability outcomes.”
Sparc brings established relationships with five of the eight largest protective coatings manufacturers globally, with ongoing field trials and evaluation programs underway across multiple customers and with major end users including BHP, Santos and the South Australian Government. Sparc’s ecosparc® additives are designed as a “drop-in” solution for protective coatings manufacturers, enabling straightforward integration into existing widely used products.
HydroGraph will supply Fractal Graphene™ materials to support Sparc’s product development and commercialization efforts, with a focus on delivering consistent performance at low addition rates and with reduced environmental impact.
The collaboration also includes the potential for joint marketing and commercialization activities, with a focus on accelerating adoption of graphene-enabled coatings across North America and global markets, dependent on the outcomes of the program.
About ecosparc® – A performance additive for protective coatings
Sparc Technologies has conducted over 6 years of research and development on ecosparc®, its flagship graphene based additive range. The addition of ecosparc® within commercially available protective coatings has demonstrated substantial performance improvements, ensuring the reliability, longevity, safety and cost-effectiveness of the steel infrastructure they cover.
Multiple global coatings companies are undertaking product evaluation of ecosparc® in their anti-corrosive coatings. Further to this, Sparc is progressing a campaign targeting asset owners with multiple field trials underway in a variety of corrosive environments. Infrastructure owners being targeted include government, defence, mining, and oil and gas companies representative of key customers within the US$33 billion1 protective and marine coatings industry. The target addressable market for ecosparc® within the broader anticorrosive protective coatings market is estimated at ~US$1.0bn per annum2.
About Hydrograph
HydroGraph is a leading producer of pristine graphene using an “explosion synthesis” process, which allows for exceptional purity, low energy use, and uniform batches. The quality, performance, and consistency of HydroGraph’s graphene follow the Graphene Council’s Verified Graphene Producer® standards, of which very few graphene producers are able to meet. For more information or to learn about the HydroGraph story, visit: https://hydrograph.com/. For company updates, please follow HydroGraph on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydrograph/ and X at https://x.com/HydroGraphInc.
Trademarks: HydroGraph™ and Fractal Graphene™
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “aim”, “approximately”, “may”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “believe”, or similar terminology.
Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of HydroGraph to control or predict, that may cause HydroGraph’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: HydroGraph’s ability to implement its business strategies; risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; stakeholder engagement; marketing and transportation costs; loss of markets; volatility of commodity prices; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; industry and government regulation; changes in legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations; and other risks. HydroGraph does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
CONTACTS:
Matt Kreps
Vice President of Investor Relations
+1-214-597-8200
matt.kreps@hydrograph.com
Len Fernandes
Firecracker PR for HydroGraph
len@firecrackerpr.com
888-317-4687
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1 Average market forecast from Snsinsider, Fortune Business Insights, Mordor Intelligence (PC), Research Nester, Researchandmarkets, Strategic Market Research, Mordor Intelligence (Marine) and Technavio.
2 Calculated based on Sparc’s estimate of the proportion of products in the global protective and marine coatings markets suited to the ecosparc® product (25%) along with Sparc’s proposed selling price relative to coating sales value in 2030. As with any target addressable market, there are barriers to accessing a target addressable market, including manufacturing capacity, regulatory requirements, distribution and logistical hurdles, intellectual property protections and barriers to competition. Investors are cautioned that there are no guarantees that a target addressable market can be converted into revenue, and the target addressable market should not be mistaken for a guidance on potential revenue.
FAQ**
How does Hydrograph Clean Power HGRAF plan to leverage its partnership with Sparc Technologies Limited to address the estimated $33 billion protective coatings market, and what specific milestones do they aim to achieve within the next year?
What performance benefits did Hydrograph Clean Power HGRAF's FGA-1 Fractal Graphene demonstrate during initial testing, and how might these results influence the adoption of graphene-enhanced coatings in industrial applications?
Given the importance of consistency in graphene quality, what measures will Hydrograph Clean Power HGRAF implement to ensure that its Fractal Graphene maintains high standards during joint product development with Sparc Technologies?
How does Hydrograph Clean Power HGRAF plan to approach potential barriers to market access, such as regulatory requirements and distribution challenges, in order to successfully commercialize its graphene-enhanced ecosparc additives?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Hydrograph Clean Power Inc. (CNQC: HG:CC).
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