Zeon and Sino partner on nanotube conductive paste for Li batteries
Zeon Corporation and Sino Applied Technology (SiAT) have formed a strategic partnership in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Under the agreement, Zeon will spearhead a $20 million USD Series C funding round to assist SiAT in expanding its production of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) conductive paste. This material is increasingly crucial for the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
The demand for lithium-ion batteries is increasing, especially in sectors such as electric vehicles, drones, energy storage systems, and AI-related hardware. SWCNTs provide advantages over traditional conductive additives like carbon black or multi-walled carbon nanotube compounds. These advantages include enhanced electrical conductivity, greater mechanical strength, and improved chemical stability.
Producing high-quality SWCNT powder is technically challenging. It requires high-temperature chemical vapour deposition and precise control of catalysts and reaction conditions to achieve both high yield and high purity. In 2015, Zeon became the first company to mass-produce SWCNTs using its proprietary Super Growth process. The resulting product, ZEONANO®, features high purity, a large surface area, and a high aspect ratio.
Another technical barrier has been achieving uniform SWCNT dispersion, as the material tends to form aggregates. SiAT offers over two decades of experience in battery nanomaterials and has developed a method for producing stable, well-dispersed SWCNT pastes suitable for battery electrodes.
Since 2024, the two companies have collaborated on two formulations—LSC2102 (NMP-based) and LSC1101 (water-based). These products have been tested by manufacturers and have demonstrated improvements in energy density and cycle performance in cathodes and anodes, particularly in silicon-based systems.
As the lead investor, Zeon is joined by other Taiwanese venture partners. The funding will support SiAT’s goal of scaling production to 25,000 tons annually by 2030, with Zeon remaining the primary supplier of SWCNT material.
Beyond batteries, SWCNTs could enhance materials such as rubber, plastics, composites, and semiconductors. The partnership intends to explore additional applications and promote advancements in sustainable technologies.
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