Cleveland-based Applied Graphene Materials plc has reported slightly higher first-half losses, amid rising costs and lower revenue; its pre-tax losses widened to £2.4 million (from £2.3 million a year earlier), and its revenues more than halved to £26,000 (from £54,000) (www.appliedgraphenematerials.com).

CEO Adrian Potts said: “We continue to make positive progress with providing robust technology solutions for our key focus market of coatings technology.

“While the pace of such progress is not always as rapid as we would like, this is reflective of the intensity, breadth and depth of engagement with multiple customers and the length of time it often takes to formulate a solution and then test it.”