There will be some focus on new materials at Sweden Sustaintech Venture Day on the 2nd of December. 2D fab is a graphene producer for industrial scale. The material graphene has great properties and has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by enhancing material efficiency and improving energy storage. As an example, in industries like construction it can reinforce concrete, reducing the need for cement.
Graphene is an exciting material with premium features, what makes 2D fab unique in this field?
We produce high end graphene and we also apply the graphene to different usages. We are market leaders in Europe in terms of volume. As we have grown our business model quickly, we can purchase the quality and the quantity that we need for our applications. Apart from the reduction of CO2 in Graphene’s application, our clients may cut costs and increase production speed significantly. We focus mainly on clients that have large material flows such as adhesives where we can reduce drying times, and the concrete building industry and infrastructure.
Where is your company as of now in development?
We have demonstrated in more than 20 pilot projects how we can deliver results in several important industries. We have projects ongoing with IKEA and Kemind, an Italian chemical company, as well as DA Smith where our graphene-based additives improve adhesive performance. Another exciting project is with Swerock and Gunnar Prefab where we have made speed bumps and central railing with graphene induced concrete. We also see a growing interest from the defense sector where aid to Ukraine is a new, and especially attractive area. Now we are currently starting to have smaller commercial revenue streams and the next step is to convert ongoing pilots into larger clients.
How has your cap table developed?
Even though the geopolitical situation has been risky, we fell that right now investors are again looking into the future. Sweden is good at financing the early stage innovation with grants and loans. As we are now transforming into a mature company close to commercialization, it creates a natural challenge to secure growth capital while still being pre-revenue. We have learned that it is important to find investors that understand graphene and the market we are operating in. We have had faithful and professional investors that has supported us during the tougher times.
We now saw interest from several international players, such as lots of contacts from different parts of Europe but also from Asia, for example Japan. In Finland we have several dialogues and we seem to have a good name attracting investors’ interest. Being a part of the Swedish Energy Agency and Cleantech Scandinavia Accelerator has been a contribution to attract investor interest.
SHORT QUESTIONS TO HELENA HENKE
Age: 43
Role: CEO 2D fab
Education: MSc in Business & Economics with a major in management of growing enterprises from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg
Vision: To position 2D fab as the leading partner for industries seeking high-impact, scalable material solutions that deliver both climate benefits and stronger industrial performance.
Book to read: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, a very entertaining book for anyone who enjoys a clever takedown of old-school norms.
Sustainable Leisure Tip: I can recommend spending your time with miniature dachshunds, they’re experts in slow living, which is very healthy for your body, your mind and your emotional well-being.
