SHARE PUNT OF THE WEEK

WHO IS IT? Versarien is a materials engineering group which is working to incorporate tiny graphene platelets in power storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors.

The goal is to significantly increase the power stored and reduce the time it takes to charge. It has already patented the process to create its own type of nano graphene platelets, which it calls Nanene.

WHAT’S THE LATEST? Earlier this month it announced that ‘significant advances’ had been made and that commercial products should be available ‘in due course’.

It also said that it had entered into an agreement with Zap & Go, an Oxford-based business creating fast-charge batteries for use in everyday items, to research how Nanene can be incorporated in the company’s products.

Versarien has recently received a small initial order for Nanene from an unnamed Chinese car-battery manufacturer.

WHO BACKS IT? Chief executive Neill Ricketts is the largest shareholder with 10.3pc of the business. Chief technology officer Will Battrick and former chairman Ian Balchin are among the top-ten shareholders, along with institutional names such as Hargreaves Lansdown, Miton and Herald Investment Management.

The University of Manchester holds a 1.24pc stake.

WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST If Nanene’s commercial applications run as smoothly as Versarien is hoping, demand could take off.

Versarien is also joining the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, opening this year, which should help it develop contacts. Partners on the centre’s advisory panel include Airbus, BP and Jaguar Land Rover.

AND WHY YOU SHOULDN’T Shares are up 115.8pc this year as investors have high hopes. But any unexpected hurdles in the commercial application of Nanene could cause a fall.