In the UK, a graphene-enhanced, low-carbon concrete was laid at a Northumbrian Water site in July, developed by the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester and Cemex UK. The material when it came out of academia was hyped to death but the challenge is going from lab to fab, says Ben Jensen, the chief executive of 2D Photonics, a startup spun out from the University of Cambridge that makes graphene-based photonic technology for datacentres.
The new strategy's emphasis on reducing high electricity costs for UK industry marks a significant shift, but it still largely resembles a sketch rather than a fully developed plan.
"The government has committed to ensuring Britain is open for business and pulling down barriers to investment. If it is serious about this, it must publish a plan to deliver industrial electricity prices that are competitive with our European peers."