NanoKTN announces IPO of member Ilika plc on AIM

Ilika plc (“Ilika”) (AIM: IKA) is an advanced cleantech materials discovery company. It accelerates the discovery of new and patentable materials using a unique high throughput technologies (HTT) process for identified end uses in the energy, electronics and biomedical sectors. This process enables hundreds of scalable materials to be made in a single, automated operation and subsequently tested for key properties.

Ilika raised £5.2 million before expenses through the issue of 10,147,059 Placing Shares at 51 pence per share. On Admission, the Company had 36,569,359 Ordinary Shares in issue and a market capitalisation of approximately £18.7 million.

The NanoKTN has supported Ilika since its origins as a spin-out company from the University of Southampton. Its first major activity with the NanoKTN was as a delegate on the Germany Nanomission 2008, a high-profile workshop and networking event held at the British Embassy in Berlin. Ilika joined other innovative nanotechnology companies in the UK to meet with German organisations to discuss the application of nanotechnology to the needs of the energy and environment sector. The mission resulted in a number of follow-on activities between Ilika and two major German manufacturers as well as a number of UK companies.

“The NanoKTN has been extremely supportive of Ilika as it has grown since its spinout from the University of Southampton in 2004. In particular, the NanoKTN has facilitated some first-class networking opportunities which have formed an important part of Ilika’s business development activities,” comments CEO of Ilika, Graeme Purdy. “The NanoKTN plays an important role in highlighting the commercial benefits of innovative materials science to grant bodies. This has undoubtedly reinforced Ilika’s successful applications for grant funding, particularly in the area of hydrogen storage.”

Director at the NanoKTN, Alec Reader, adds, “The AIM IPO of Ilika is excellent news for the nanotechnology industry. Our key aim is to support innovative companies to create wealth for the UK industry – the NanoKTN has worked intimately with Ilika from spinout to listed company and the results have been tremendous.”

The NanoKTN’s primary aim is to encourage collaboration and knowledge transfer between key players in industry, as well as start-ups and SMEs. One of the key methods to ensure networking between key market players is to facilitate interactions through networking and event organisation.

Further information on the activities of the NanoKTN can be found on the website at www.nanoktn.com.

Established by the Technology Strategy Board, the NanoKTN is managed by Centre for Process Innovation Ltd, a leading technology development and consulting company.