HydroGraph and Sparc Technologies Team Up to Commercialize Graphene-Enhanced Coatings for Global Infrastructure Protection
MWN-AI** Summary
HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) has recently signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX: SPN) to collaborate on developing graphene-enhanced coatings aimed at protecting global infrastructure. This partnership targets the US$33 billion protective coatings market, leveraging HydroGraph's Fractal Graphene™ within Sparc’s ecosparc® additives to prolong the lifespan of steel structures in challenging environments.
Under the LOI, both companies will engage in joint testing and product development, with HydroGraph's graphene undergoing rigorous performance evaluations in Sparc's coatings. Initial tests have already shown promising results, indicating reductions in corrosion creep by up to 60%. The collaboration seeks a definitive commercial agreement within the next year, contingent on the outcomes of the testing phases.
Protective coatings are crucial in mitigating corrosion across various sectors, including energy, marine, mining, and transportation. Sparc’s ecosparc® technology has been refined over six years and is being integrated into existing products, enhancing their durability and sustainability. The partnership directly addresses the increasing demand for high-performance coatings that require less maintenance and have lower lifecycle emissions.
Sparc boasts significant industry ties, having established partnerships with major coatings manufacturers like BHP and the U.S. Government, with ongoing field trials across diverse corrosive environments. Through this alliance, HydroGraph is poised to enter a well-established market by capitalizing on Sparc’s formulation expertise and customer connections, focusing on delivering environmentally friendly, high-quality graphene products that enhance coating performance and decrease maintenance cycles.
As this collaboration unfolds, both companies aim to accelerate the adoption of graphene-enabled coatings, potentially unlocking a lucrative growth opportunity in the protective coatings industry.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent collaboration between HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. and Sparc Technologies Limited positions both companies strategically within the US$33 billion protective coatings market. The partnership leverages HydroGraph's Fractal Graphene™ in Sparc's ecosparc® additives, aiming for enhanced performance in protective coatings that significantly improve corrosion resistance.
Investors should closely monitor the outcomes of their joint testing as HydroGraph's graphene products have shown promising results, with initial tests exhibiting corrosion creep reductions between 39% and 60%. Next steps involve rigorous ISO 12944 testing, which, if successful, could validate significant advancements in performance characteristics under real-world conditions. Such developments could drive the adoption of graphene-enhanced coatings, addressing a critical market demand driven by aging infrastructure and the necessity for sustainable materials in sectors like marine, energy, and construction.
The focus on improved performance and reduced maintenance aligns well with current market trends prioritizing sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, Sparc’s existing strong relationships with key coatings manufacturers can facilitate smoother market penetration, safeguarding against potential adoption barriers often faced by innovative materials like graphene.
While the partnership holds substantial promise, potential investors should exercise caution regarding the inherent risks highlighted in HydroGraph’s forward-looking statements, including competition and operational uncertainties. Market volatility and regulatory dynamics could influence timelines for product commercialization, affecting revenue realization.
In summary, investing in HydroGraph may present a lucrative opportunity as their innovative solutions address critical industry needs. However, investors must remain aware of the speculative nature of the endeavor and the need for rigorous testing outcomes to support market uptake. Monitoring developments from this collaboration could provide beneficial insights into its viability and growth potential within the protective coatings industry.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
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
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 U.S. 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 ensure the consistent quality and performance of its Fractal Graphene™ during the joint testing with Sparc Technologies for ecosparc® additives in protective coatings?
What are the specific performance benchmarks HydroGraph Clean Power HGRAF aims to achieve during the ISO 12944 cyclic corrosion testing process for its Fractal Graphene™ in ecosparc® additives?
In what ways does HydroGraph Clean Power HGRAF intend to collaborate with Sparc Technologies to facilitate market adoption of the graphene-enhanced coatings within the US$billion protective coatings market?
How will HydroGraph Clean Power HGRAF address potential risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization of its Fractal Graphene™ when integrated into Sparc's ecosparc® additives for protective coatings?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Hydrograph Clean Power Inc. (CNQC: HG:CC).
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