Westlake Innovations, a subsidiary of Westlake Corporation, has made a strategic investment in Universal Matter, Inc., a company based in Burlington, Ontario. Universal Matter’s vision is to become a global leader in the production of high-quality, sustainable graphene and advanced materials to help decarbonize the planet. This investment reflects Westlake’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more sustainable future through both the improvement of its own manufacturing processes and strategic partnerships with innovative startups and emerging technologies.
John Chao, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Westlake Innovations, expressed optimism about the collaboration:
“We look forward to working with Universal Matter and its management team as it moves forward on development and commercialization of its flexible technology.”
Revolutionary Flash Joule Heating Technology
Universal Matter has developed and patented a groundbreaking process called Flash Joule Heating (FJH), originally pioneered at Rice University. This innovative technology enables the cost-effective, industrial-scale upcycling of carbon waste streams into high-quality graphene and graphitized carbon. FJH technology is not only sustainable but also versatile, producing graphene that is tunable across 1D, 2D, and 3D morphologies. These variations in structure provide superior properties critical for a wide range of industrial applications.
One of Universal Matter’s significant advancements is its ability to disperse graphene in various liquid or solid mediums. This innovation simplifies the integration of graphene into downstream industrial products, allowing manufacturers to enhance performance in materials such as asphalt, concrete, rubber, composites, paints, and coatings. These enhanced materials demonstrate improved strength, durability, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the global push toward greener, more efficient solutions.
Synergies with Westlake’s Business Lines
Graphene’s unique properties, including its exceptional strength, conductivity, and lightweight nature, present exciting opportunities for Westlake’s diverse portfolio. The material has the potential to benefit several of Westlake’s business segments, particularly its Performance & Essential Materials and Housing & Infrastructure Products divisions. Applications in these areas could include advanced construction materials, improved coatings, and enhanced packaging solutions.
John Chao emphasized the strategic alignment between Universal Matter’s technology and Westlake’s objectives:
“Graphene is a material with a number of potential performance and sustainability benefits that could apply across a number of Westlake’s Performance & Essential Materials and Housing & Infrastructure Products business lines. We look forward to working with Universal Matter and its management team as it moves forward on development and commercialization of its flexible technology.”
Westlake Innovations: Driving Sustainability and Innovation
Founded in 2021, Westlake Innovations was established to spearhead the company’s investments in cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. The division focuses on innovative applications across digital, mechanical, and chemical domains, including carbon sequestration, recycling, and the development of advanced materials. Westlake Innovations exemplifies the company’s dedication to fostering a sustainable future through collaboration and technological advancement.
Westlake Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance everyday life. With operations spanning Asia, Europe, and North America, Westlake provides essential solutions in housing and construction, packaging, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods.
About Universal Matter
Universal Matter, Inc. is at the forefront of advanced materials innovation, leveraging its patented Flash Joule Heating technology to create high-quality, sustainable graphene and graphitized carbon. The company’s mission is to decarbonize the planet by transforming carbon waste into valuable materials that can be seamlessly integrated into industrial applications. Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Universal Matter is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future through its cutting-edge solutions.
Advancing the Future Together
This partnership between Westlake Innovations and Universal Matter represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable and advanced material solutions. By combining Westlake’s global reach and industrial expertise with Universal Matter’s innovative technologies, the collaboration aims to unlock new possibilities for graphene applications while contributing to a more sustainable and decarbonized world.
