Offering a nanocomposite additive to prevent scratches in acrylic glass, TenasiTech Pty. Ltd. is taking steps to commercialize its product with an A$509,269 (US$395,843) grant from the Australian government.
The company, which has operations in Boston and Brisbane, Australia, won the grant from the Australian Accelerating Commercialization program.
TenasiTech CEO Richard Marshall said the company will use contract or toll manufacturers in the United States to produce the product. The company has had an office in Boston for about 18 months.
The underlying patented technology was developed at the University of Queensland. TenasiTech gained a license to produce it in 2007. Since then, it secured seed money from Uniseed Ventures and more recently funding from angel investors in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Marshall said the additive can be used in injection molding and extrusion and it enables an acrylic to maintain its glossy appearance and resist scratches. It also allows the plastic to be bent and shaped.
He said OEMs have been looking at the material for automotive applications because it maintains a glossy finish, proving a luxurious feel. Other applications include computer screens. The company also sells a product for thermoplastic polyurethanes to improve toughness.