Japan’s Daikin invests in graphene nanotubes supplier OCSiAl

Luxembourg – Japanese conglomerate and fluorine technologies specialist Daikin Industries has become a shareholder in OCSiAl, a Luxembourg-based producer of graphene nanotubes. 

The acquisition follows three years of collaboration in developing graphene nanotube applications as “a next-generation additive," said OCSiAl in a 27 July statement.

Along with the subscription agreement, the two partners have signed a cooperation agreement to develop, produce, and market graphene nanotube solutions for Li-ion batteries and fluoropolymers, which comprise a substantial part of Daikin’s business. 

Graphene nanotubes, according to OCSiAl, demonstrate “exceptional performance and definitive advantages over standard additives.”

OCSiAl is claimed to be the only large-scale producer of graphene nanotubes – one-atom-thick graphene sheets rolled into tubes – which can enhance properties of materials as additives. 

According to the terms of the agreement, OCSiAl has been valued at approximately $2 billion (€1.7 billion).