AIM-listed Versarien was placed into administration on 6th January 2026.
Joint administrators Andrew Knowles and Andrew Poxon from Leonard Curtis are in talks with potential buyers of assets.
Versarien was founded in 2010 as an advanced engineering materials group to exploit the potential of graphene. It listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2013.
Versarien is the company behind the proprietary graphene admixture, Cementene.聽 In 2023 Banagher Precast Concrete demonstrated that 20% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) can be removed from its typical precast concrete mix by using Cementene.
Last year Versarien signed an agreement with Balfour Beatty to develop new materials and concrete mixes together. Versarien is also a member of the National Highways Roads Research Alliance and the Digital Roads of the Future project. It worked with Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture (SCS JV) to trial graphene reinforcement in 3D printed concrete elements in a phase of construction for HS2. [See previous report here.]
However, Versarien never actually managed to make a profit, losing millions every year, often with losses outstripping turnover. Latest accounts show a pre-tax loss of 拢4.3m on revenue of 拢2.4m. The previous year it generated 拢5.4m revenue but made a pr-tax loss of 拢14.3m.
Eventually the board sought outside investment as part of a turnaround strategy that would lead the business to profitability. When it became clear that the third-party investment was looking unlikely, the board appointed Leonard Curtis in an advisory capacity in May 2025.
Following a review of alternate finance and investment options, the board concluded in July 2025 that the company needed to begin an accelerated mergers & acquisition process. This process started in August 2025.
Despite some expressions of interest being received, the going concern proposals were not acceptable to the board and therefore, given the cash constraints of the business, they decided to go into administration.
Joint administrator Andrew Knowles said: 鈥淲e are disappointed that a solvent sale of the business did not take place, despite reaching out to both industry and non-industry specific parties. However, we are currently in negotiations with several parties who are looking to acquire the business and assets from the administrators.鈥�
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