The “father of Polish graphene” Włodzimierz Strupiński, raises alarms that while Poland’s graphene is nowhere to be found, other countries are investing gigantic sums.
The company responsible for the commercialization of Polish graphene – a super-material which can revolutionize the global industry – was Nano Carbon. The company had strong advantages: a unique production technology from the Polish scientists of the institute of technology of electronic materials (ITME), tools of the highest quality and a rich, state-funded owners such as the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ).
Meanwhile, the enthusiasm for politicians has waned and Nano Carbon is missing money to begin large-scale production.
What has happened to our institutions which were meant to mass-produce graphene and commercialize it?
“There is a graphene frenzy throughout the world and countries are investing massive sums into it,” claims Strupiński. “What has happened to our institutions which were meant to mass-produce graphene and commercialize it?” He argued that it seems like Nano Carbon is closing down.
“The company put up its greatest treasures, specialist tools, for sale. ITME, when I still worked in it, created unique materials with those tools. In some cases, they were the only such materials in the world. I’m sure that they could be further developed, but changes came – first, the director was changed and then political changes which brought with them all sorts of turmoil,” Strupiński explained.
