Major brands and start-ups alike are always seeking new innovative technologies that can be promoted to differentiate their products to the consumer. Of course, the innovation has to bring some measurable value that the consumer can see or feel or else it is just “marketing hype”. Fabrics today often combine many different types of fibers, both natural and synthetic, to optimize comfort, cost, and performance. Enter graphene, an innovative new material that is being rapidly developed for all kinds of applications, from batteries and semiconductors to paint and cement additives. GS Safety, the parent company of Graphene One LLC, first started looking at graphene over ten years ago as a potential technology to enhance its solar panel performance. As is often the way of experimentation, this original thrust did not work out, but the company’s scientists were intrigued by the unique properties of this nano material and pivoted the focus to their knit safety glove business instead. The benefits in their Armor Guys brand safety gloves were quickly apparent as thinner, lighter, and more comfortable gloves were developed with this technology and saw tremendous market acceptance.

It was clear that graphene could bring many “functional” benefits to the fabric and textile world, so Graphene One LLC was formed in 2015 and launched a family of fibers under the Kyorene® brand. “We aim to make graphene affordable to everyone and blend the material into lives of every individual,” says Lynn Sha Deligny, Managing Director at Graphene One.

Today, Graphene One’s Kyorene graphene fiber has been commercialized in many different applications including bedding, socks, underwear, sportswear, and denim. The wide use can be attributed to the fact that graphene imparts multiple benefits to the fabric including bacteriostatic, odor control, thermal regulation, UV protection, and even mite and mosquito repellency. Since Kyorene graphene is available in many different forms including polyester, nylon, viscose, and polyethylene, and is often combined with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, bamboo and other synthetics, the fabric possibilities and end uses are endless. The functional benefits of fiber Kyorene® have been well documented in standard lab testing and more importantly have been seen in actual wear testing and brand success.

Graphene One is the only graphene fiber supplier that is fully integrated, from the conversion of graphite into graphene oxide and then the production of synthetic fibers.

With over 10 years of development and 30 patents, Graphene One’s commercial process is unique, scalable, versatile, and low cost. "We have not only taken graphene beyond labs and universities but also expanded the significance of this advanced material in new industries," says Lynn Sha Deligny, Managing Director of the company. "While other graphene providers focus on its electrical properties, we have stressed the functional properties of the material to deliver innovation, flexibility, quality, cost-efficiency, and faster time to market for our clients."

We have stressed the functional properties of the material to deliver innovation, flexibility, quality, cost-efficiency, and faster time to market for our clients

Graphene One fibers are produced using state of the art fiber spinning to meet rigorous quality standards for physical and chemical properties. Unlike other graphene products that are coatings or treatments, Kyorene® graphene oxide is covalently bonded to the polymer backbone, making it permanent and effective for the life of the fabric, increasing the sustainability of the finished garment.

To enhance the value of its offerings, Graphene One takes an educational route while engaging with its clients. The company conducts webinars and carefully guides its clients to Kyorene's functional value and what it means in the final garment. "We also inform them about the various testing procedures to measure the functional property of our material," says Dave Vanek, Director of Sales and Business Development, Graphene One. The company is already working with many partners and customers in Asia, Europe, and in the US.

For one major denim brand, Kyorene® nylon filament was combined with cotton in the denim to provide thermal regulation. Impressed by the functionality of Kyorene, the clothing company decided to design and produce a line of thermally-regulated jeans for the end-consumer, and the apparel is due for immediate market release.

As more businesses are interested in increasing the sustainability of apparel, Graphene One is currently developing graphene fibers from recycled plastics.