Japanese giant Daikin Industries has become a shareholder of the world’s largest producer of graphene nanotubes, OCSiAl, following three years of collaboration in developing graphene nanotube applications as a next-generation additive. Together, the companies are determined to develop high-performance materials and establish new markets.
The signing of a share subscription agreement between Daikin Industries, an air conditioning company and a pioneer in fluorine technologies, and OCSiAl, the world’s largest producer of graphene nanotubes and related industrial solutions, was supported by prior joint developments and market evaluation. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the valuation of OCSiAl is circa US2bn.
Along with the subscription agreement, the two companies have signed a cooperation agreement to develop, produce, and market graphene nanotube solutions for next-generation Li-ion batteries and fluoropolymers, which comprise a substantial part of Daikin’s business. Graphene nanotubes demonstrate exceptional performance and definitive advantages over standard additives, opening-up new horizons for these applications.
Graphene nanotubes, or as they also called, single wall carbon nanotubes, are one-atom-thick graphene sheets rolled into tubes. This unique material, which enables the creation of products with new sets of properties, was historically observed and described for the first time by Japanese scientists. OCSiAl is the only company to have created a technology that allows production of graphene nanotubes for large-scale commercial applications. The combination of OCSiAl’s and Daikin’s expertise and know-how could result in a fundamental shift in the global industry.
