GMG hires Rio Tinto veteran as graphene plant push targets June completion

Graphene Manufacturing Group has appointed a senior production executive as it pushes to complete a second-generation graphene plant in Queensland by the end of June 2026, a move that puts operating scale-up at the center of the company’s next phase.

Stuart Watson joins GMG as chief production growth officer

The company said on April 22, 2026, that Stuart Watson, formerly global head of technical development at Rio Tinto, has joined as chief production growth officer. GMG said Watson brings more than 30 years of experience across metals, mining, oil and chemicals, with a background that includes operations, sales and marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and technology development.

GMG framed the appointment as part of a broader effort to expand production across its graphene and graphene-based products, including work tied to future facilities in North America. The company also said the new role is aimed at strengthening delivery capability as it advances from product development into industrial execution.

Queensland plant remains the near-term manufacturing focus

GMG said it is focused on delivering its Gen 2.0 Graphene Production Project by the end of June 2026. The plant, at the company’s headquarters in Richlands, Queensland, is expected to produce at least 10 tonnes of graphene a year once commissioned.

The company said the project is central to its plan to replicate production plants in other locations later, with the goal of scaling output, reducing operating risk and lowering costs by siting future facilities in places with cheaper natural gas, which GMG describes as a key input to its process.

Why the staffing move matters for graphene manufacturing

For graphene producers, the difficult step is often not demonstrating the material in a lab but maintaining consistent output, quality and economics at larger scale. GMG’s own description of the business underscores that shift: it says it is focused on commercial scale-up capability, production of graphene from natural gas and market applications for its coatings, lubricant additive and battery programs.

The company also said it is planning three potential expansion projects, including two in North America and one additional expansion project in Australia. That makes the June timeline more than a plant milestone; it is a test of whether GMG can turn a proprietary graphene process into a repeatable manufacturing platform.

The appointment of an executive with heavy industrial and process background suggests the company is now putting more emphasis on execution discipline as it moves toward commissioning, production ramp-up and future site planning.