Zeon Corporation Decides to Increase Production of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Zeon Corporation will expand the production capacity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) at its Tokuyama Plant by dozens of times. Scheduled to begin full operations in 2028, this expansion targets the surging demand for high-performance lithium-ion batteries in EVs and AI servers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 12:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 02:31 (14h 29m after Collected)
Zeon Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Tetsuya Toyoshima, hereinafter 'Zeon') has decided to increase the production of single-walled carbon nanotubes (hereinafter 'SWCNT') manufactured at its Tokuyama Plant (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Plant Manager: Akira Honma). With this production increase, the production capacity is expected to expand to dozens of times the current level. The aim is to improve Zeon's presence in the SWCNT market, where demand is growing primarily for lithium-ion batteries, and to strengthen its stable supply system. Construction will begin in the autumn of 2026, with the goal of starting full-scale operations in 2028. This project has been certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a 'Plan for Securing the Supply of Storage Batteries'.
Carbon nanotubes are materials originating from Japan that possess characteristics such as high electrical conductivity and light weight, and are expected to be used in various applications. Among them, SWCNTs are in high demand as materials that significantly improve the energy density and cycle life of batteries. They are highly anticipated materials for use in lithium-ion batteries, where demand is surging not only in consumer applications such as electric vehicles, drones, and eVTOL aircraft, but also in industrial fields such as AI server BBUs, renewable energy ESS, and automated robotics. In 2015, Zeon succeeded in mass-producing SWCNTs using its proprietary Super Growth technology for the first time in the world, and manufactures and sells SWCNTs characterized by 'high purity', 'high specific surface area', and 'high aspect ratio' under the brand name 'ZEONANO®'.
In order to respond to the robust demand centered on lithium-ion batteries, Zeon plans to construct a new building and establish a production line on the premises of the Tokuyama Plant, where mass production is currently taking place. Furthermore, based on the previous manufacturing methods, the company has succeeded in developing a further evolved, proprietary manufacturing process. By adopting this new manufacturing method on the expanded line, the company aims to further improve production efficiency and quality.
ZEONANO®
SWCNT Plant within Tokuyama Plant
Zeon has positioned SWCNTs as a next-generation growth driver in its Mid-term Management Plan STAGE30, aiming for growth exceeding the target market CAGR. The company is proceeding with aggressive business expansion, such as investing in Sino Applied Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Chairman: Thomas Yang, hereinafter 'SiAT'), a Taiwanese startup developing conductive pastes using SWCNTs, in October 2025. This decision to expand production is expected to serve as the foundation for accelerating further application development of SWCNTs. Going forward, Zeon will continue to grasp market needs and meet society's expectations, while contributing to the comfortable living of people.
Carbon nanotubes are materials originating from Japan that possess characteristics such as high electrical conductivity and light weight, and are expected to be used in various applications. Among them, SWCNTs are in high demand as materials that significantly improve the energy density and cycle life of batteries. They are highly anticipated materials for use in lithium-ion batteries, where demand is surging not only in consumer applications such as electric vehicles, drones, and eVTOL aircraft, but also in industrial fields such as AI server BBUs, renewable energy ESS, and automated robotics. In 2015, Zeon succeeded in mass-producing SWCNTs using its proprietary Super Growth technology for the first time in the world, and manufactures and sells SWCNTs characterized by 'high purity', 'high specific surface area', and 'high aspect ratio' under the brand name 'ZEONANO®'.
In order to respond to the robust demand centered on lithium-ion batteries, Zeon plans to construct a new building and establish a production line on the premises of the Tokuyama Plant, where mass production is currently taking place. Furthermore, based on the previous manufacturing methods, the company has succeeded in developing a further evolved, proprietary manufacturing process. By adopting this new manufacturing method on the expanded line, the company aims to further improve production efficiency and quality.
ZEONANO®
SWCNT Plant within Tokuyama Plant
Zeon has positioned SWCNTs as a next-generation growth driver in its Mid-term Management Plan STAGE30, aiming for growth exceeding the target market CAGR. The company is proceeding with aggressive business expansion, such as investing in Sino Applied Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Chairman: Thomas Yang, hereinafter 'SiAT'), a Taiwanese startup developing conductive pastes using SWCNTs, in October 2025. This decision to expand production is expected to serve as the foundation for accelerating further application development of SWCNTs. Going forward, Zeon will continue to grasp market needs and meet society's expectations, while contributing to the comfortable living of people.