PRESS RELEASE – 10 APRIL 2025 07:00
Graphene in Multispectral Military Camouflage
Grafren reports successfully completed project where a graphene-based military camouflage net that is lighter, stronger, more environmentally friendly, and higher-performing than alternatives is currently being manufactured in Sweden.
“With the help of graphene, the camouflage is 20 percent lighter. If you tell that to a soldier, it's a big deal. Soldiers love things that are lightweight,” says Johan Jersblad, Senior Development Engineer at Saab Barracuda.
Saab’s business unit Barracuda in Gamleby is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of military camouflage. The war in Ukraine and Sweden’s entry into NATO have contributed to increased demand, and electrically conductive textiles are an important material in several defense products.
Because graphene is electrically conductive, it offers protection against radar detection and also has the potential to enhance thermal protection. But above all, it is lighter and stronger than the electrically conductive chemicals traditionally used for radar shielding.
Unique Coating Method
The textile fibers are coated with graphene using a unique coating technology developed by the Linköping-based company Grafren. The graphene is integrated into the fabric, making the entire textile electrically conductive.
“We have a special vision for how nanomaterials should be used to give existing products exceptional value. We achieve this by integrating specially designed nano-objects—both in size and shape—in a structured and well-controlled way into the textiles,” says Erik Khranovskyy, CEO of Grafren.
“It’ has beena long and bumpy road from the lab to industry, and we’re happy we made it. This project opens up new opportunities for collaboration, especially in defense applications,” says Erik Khranovskyy.
• Project Facts
The SIO Grafen project “Graphene Camouflage with Advanced Weight and Functional Properties” involves Saab Barracuda, Grafren, and Engtex.
More details can be count here