HydroGraph, Sparc Move to Test Graphene Coatings for Corrosion Protection

HydroGraph Clean Power and Australia’s Sparc Technologies have agreed to collaborate on graphene-enhanced protective coatings, a move that could expand one of graphene’s most closely watched industrial uses.

• The companies signed a letter of intent on March 23, 2026.
• The initial work centers on testing HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene in Sparc’s ecosparc additives.
• The collaboration targets corrosion protection for steel assets in demanding environments.

A new graphene coatings collaboration

In a statement released on March 24, 2026, HydroGraph said the letter of intent creates a framework for joint testing, product development and possible commercial supply of graphene for Sparc’s protective coating additives. The companies said they plan to negotiate a definitive commercial agreement within about 12 months if performance tests are successful, although no agreement is guaranteed.

The partnership brings together HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene and Sparc’s ecosparc additive platform, which is designed to be incorporated into existing protective coatings. HydroGraph said the material is produced through its proprietary explosion synthesis process.

Why coatings matter for graphene

Protective coatings are one of the more established industrial applications for graphene, especially where corrosion resistance and durability are important. HydroGraph said the market for protective and marine coatings is substantial, and that graphene-enhanced formulations may help extend the life of steel infrastructure in sectors such as energy, marine, mining and transportation.

The companies said initial Sparc laboratory testing showed strong performance results in commercial water-based coating systems, including reduced scribe corrosion creep. The next step is longer cyclic corrosion testing under the ISO 12944 standard in solvent-based coatings, which is intended to better simulate real-world conditions.

Commercial path and market opportunity

HydroGraph said Sparc has existing relationships with major protective coatings manufacturers and ongoing evaluation programs with industrial customers. The companies described the planned collaboration as a potential route to scale graphene-enabled coatings across North America and other markets, depending on test outcomes and later commercial talks.

The announcement does not guarantee revenue or a final supply agreement. For now, the development is a testing and validation step, but it adds another sign that graphene is still advancing in applications beyond the lab, especially where industrial performance and asset life extension are the selling points.

What to Watch

Investors and industry watchers will be looking for the results of Sparc’s longer corrosion tests and whether the companies move from the letter of intent to a formal commercial agreement. Any broader customer trials or manufacturing commitments would likely be the next indicators that the collaboration is moving toward market rollout.