This Vertx Film spotlights AmeriCarbon, a WV-based company that has developed new ways to transform coal tar pitch into advanced carbon materials like graphene and carbon fiber.
Vertx Partners is proud to announce its partnership with AmeriCarbon. AmeriCarbon was co-founded by Dave Berry, a West Virginia University alum who helped pioneer a groundbreaking process for transforming coal tar pitch into advanced carbon materials like graphene and carbon fiber. AmeriCarbon’s proprietary technology – dubbed Eco-PitchTM – not only offers a cheaper alternative to stateside clients but also promises to revolutionize advanced carbon manufacturing in the United States.
Eco-PitchTM
Dave Berry is a highly accomplished scientist and manager with chemical conversion and microwave-assisted catalysis expertise. His vision of cleaner, more efficient advanced carbon manufacturing drives him. He believes this vision can reinvigorate the Mountain State’s coal industry.
“Coal drives a huge part of West Virginia’s economy,” explains Berry. “If we can use that coal for something like carbon products, then we can adapt it to a different market.”
AmeriCarbon’s technology has three primary benefits: greenhouse emission reduction (compared to competitive materials), customizability, and domestic economic independence. Currently, companies purchase their carbon feedstock materials from China. AmeriCarbon’s processes source these materials from the United States, shoring up a critical supply chain gap.
“The Defense Department is always concerned with economics, but it goes beyond that,” says Berry. “It’s a national security concern, a need for domestic capability, and a desire for long-term supply and support. All those things line up extremely well with AmeriCarbon’s mission.”
Vertx Partners & AmeriCarbon
Vertx CEO and Retired Air Force Colonel Sean Frisbee believes in AmeriCarbon’s transformative technology.
“AmeriCarbon’s production of raw carbon-based ingredients primes the company for a unique position in our goal of building a vast network of interconnected businesses throughout the state and region,” says Frisbee. “These ingredients are typically produced overseas, so domestic coal tar pitch made cheaper and environmentally friendly is more attractive to buyers.”
Coupled with the chemical versatility of its products, AmeriCarbon is an attractive contractor to clients looking for high-quality materials at affordable prices.
The Future of Coal
Coal is an abundant natural resource in West Virginia, but as fossil fuels become replaced by renewable energy sources, coal usage must likewise adapt. AmeriCarbon’s business strategy exemplifies Vertx Partners’ philosophy of devising innovative solutions to complex problems.
AmeriCarbon is just one success story uncovered in the Mountain State. Vertx Partners continues to reach out, build connections, discover solutions, and shine a spotlight on its partners.
For companies seeking to unlock the full potential of their technology, AmeriCarbon and Vertx Partners make for a compelling partnership. Pair your business with Vertx Partners by contacting us today!