Graphene NanoChem announced that Platinum Nanochem Sdn Bhd; its wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into a product development and collaboration agreement with Sync R&D Sdn Bhd on a joint initiative to develop a 'next generation', graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery solution for electric buses under the Electric Bus 1 Malaysia program. Under the agreement, Graphene NanoChem and Sync R&D will partner to contribute resources to develop and integrate a graphene-enhanced Li-on Battery into a prototype electric shuttle bus in Malaysia designed and developed by Sync R&D, with Graphene NanoChem taking the lead role in the applications development activities to design and produce the graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery. The Li-on Battery is anticipated to be a critical component for electric vehicles as a fully charged battery will enable the bus to travel between 180 and 200km before requiring to be recharged.

A graphene-enhanced anode, a component in the Li-on Battery, has been proven to provide 10 times more power storage and significantly reduces the time required to recharge the battery. Graphene NanoChem will work to develop further the Li-on Battery technology, with the primary aims of increased durability and enhancing further the storage capability, giving increased distances travelled before requiring recharge. The Li-on Battery Project marks the first stage of development of a graphene-enhanced Li-on Battery with high capacity, high durability and increased charging speed for integration into the prototype electric bus with the aim of commercial rollout deployment under the EB1M Program upon completion of successful prototyping, integration and testing.

The first prototype of the graphene-enhanced Li-on Battery is expected to be completed in 2016.