Founded in 2012 as Cambridge Nanosystems by Chief Scientific Officer Dr Krzysztof Koziol and commercialised and renamed in 2021, Levidian has developed a patented LOOP technology that transforms methane from a range of sources into two high-value products: graphene and hydrogen. Graphene is an additive that enhances performance and reduces carbon emissions across applications from batteries and thermoplastics to concrete, while hydrogen can be used as a clean fuel. “We’re helping heavy industry innovate faster and cut emissions,” says John Hartley, Chief Executive of Levidian. “Our edge is that we add value and decarbonise simultaneously.” Its target markets span both users of advanced materials - including manufacturers of batteries, polymers, coatings and construction products - and users or producers of methane, such as companies in the oil and gas, water and waste sectors. “When I joined, it was a three-person company with no commercial plan,” recalls John. “Four years on, we’re partnering with global players like ADNOC, Southwire and United Utilities.”

Graphene, discovered at the University of Manchester in 2004, inspired Levidian’s mission to shift the UK’s strength in invention toward global commercial leadership. “We wanted to take a homegrown breakthrough and make it commercially viable at scale,” John explains. Now with a presence in the UAE and the US, Levidian’s international growth has been driven by customer demand. “We’ve been very customer-led-following where the interest is strongest,” says John. For founders and startups looking to expand internationally, his advice is to be selective about new markets and commit deeply to each. The company has raised over £35m in equity and £4m in grant funding, with investors such as Baker Hughes and Mubadala providing both capital and credibility, according to John. “Their backing gave us not just funding, but access and validation-essential for scaling deep tech.” In addition to capital, their investors understood the business and provided essential contacts to support Levidian’s expansion into the US and UAE.

Currently entering its industrial phase, Levidian is focused on expanding graphene production and advancing R&D to accelerate commercial deployment. Despite rapid scaling, John emphasises discipline: “Don’t hire too fast. You need to really understand the company before adding headcount.” Talent attraction, he notes, has been strong, supported by Cambridge’s rich science and engineering ecosystem. He highlights that the sector’s strong purpose and potential for innovation make it highly attractive to talent; people are drawn to the opportunity to learn, grow, and make a tangible impact. However, he acknowledges that improving gender diversity, particularly at senior levels, remains a key challenge across the industry.

Looking ahead, Levidian’s key focus is to achieve sustainable profitability and broaden the applications of its technology. “The UK invented graphene,” says John. “Levidian aims to lead the world in commercialising it, finding new and innovative applications while producing clean hydrogen along the way.”