Elcora Begins Development of Non-Toxic Anti-Fouling Graphene Coatings

Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2017) - ELCORA ADVANCED MATERIALS CORP. (TSXV: ERA) (FSE: ELM) (OTCQB: ECORF), (the "Company" or "Elcora"), is pleased to announce the commencement of graphene-enhanced marine coatings tests.

Elcora's EL-2D few layer graphene powder supports the development of new and advanced graphene protective coatings due to their excellent hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, anti-bacterial properties, lubricity, strength and thermal characteristics. 

Elcora has been developing a series of graphene-enhanced marine coatings. The highly hydrophobic nature of graphene has the potential to limit the growth of marine organisms, reduce fuel consumption of vessels through the reduction of drag forces, increase the lifespan of coatings and provide de-icing properties.

Anti-fouling and anti-corrosive coatings are used in the marine environment to prevent the growth of barnacles, mussels, and other organisms which contributes to increased fuel consumption of the vessel, impede mechanical functions and/or plugging of pipes. Common anti-fouling coatings use copper or other marine toxins. The first phase of Elcora's tests investigates anti-fouling coatings on steel, with the purpose of minimizing the use of these toxins. A matrix of coating methods is being investigated that includes a direct coating of graphene, epoxy composites and an additive suitable to existing antifouling compounds. A comparison of biological organism growth will be made of the various graphene coatings according to standard ASTM testing methods. These tests are anticipated to take approximately two months at which point the best-performing methods will be optimized.

Dr. Ian Flint explains the testing process: https://youtu.be/5shbT68Trno. (click to watch)

"We are pleased with our initial coating test which demonstrates improved resistance to fouling and corrosion, even with a minor amount of dispersed graphene. Non-Toxic graphene based coatings could be truly disruptive to the Marine Coatings Market, which is said to surpass USD $15 billion by 2024 according to Global Market Insights" said Troy Grant, Elcora's President & CEO.

Additional tests will be conducted based on the results of the anti-fouling investigation. These include optimization of de-icing properties, minimization in the differences of thermal expansion, strength, and other characteristics that would give these products a competitive advantage.

The National Research Council of Canada, Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) has contributed $392,590 towards the successful completion of the project.

About Elcora Advanced Materials

Elcora was founded in 2011 and has been structured to become a vertically integrated graphite & graphene company that mines, processes, refines graphite, and produces both the graphene and end user graphene applications.  As part of the vertical integration strategy, Elcora has secured high-grade graphite and graphene precursor graphite from its interest in the operation of the Ragedara mine in Sri Lanka which is already in production. Elcora has developed a unique low-cost effective process to make high quality graphite and graphene that are commercially scalable. This combination means that Elcora has the tools and resources for graphite and graphene vertical integration.

For further information please visit the company's website at http://www.elcoracorp.com. Continue to watch for updates on the development work by tuning into https://youtu.be/5shbT68Trno.

For further information please contact: Troy Grant, Director, President and CEO, Elcora Resources Corp., T: +1 902 802-8847 F: +1 902 446-2001.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock Exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Elcora, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Elcora's expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Elcora with securities regulators.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.