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BOSTON , June 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nanomaterials remain a significant growth area with the potential to enable a wide range of next-generation technologies. Although the material is on a nanoscale, most manufacturers incorporate them into some form of intermediate to be used. An emerging area for nanocarbons is making "macro-scale" CNTs. This is a misnomer but is used to encompass CNT yarns, sheets, or veils.

IDTechEx has been investigating the nanocarbon industry for more than a decade. They have released the latest version of their CNT report, "Carbon Nanotubes 2022-2032: Market, Technology, Players", which includes granular 10-year volume and value forecasts segmented by end-use applications for both MWCNTs and SWCNTs, player profiles, and benchmarking studies. This article will focus on CNT yarns and sheets before expanding on to high-aspect-ratio and hybrid materials; these are all at an earlier commercial stage than the main MWCNT market.

The sheets or veils can either have the CNTs aligned or not, the latter usually being in the form of an entangled non-woven mat. These are not new to the market nor new developments, but the VACNT (vertically aligned carbon nanotube) sheets are gaining some notable traction. NAWA Technologies, fresh from completing a Series C funding round in early 2022 and acquiring N12 Technologies in 2020, are expanding their capacity mainly for energy storage applications. Carbice Corporation raised an eye-catching $15m Series A in late 2020 and are targeting the use of VACNTs for thermal interface materials. Outside of niche use-cases, this material family remains as a solution looking for a commercial problem, but given the developments, they should not be overlooked.

The CNT yarns continue to spark much excitement, an example being Kureha's 2022 investment, but are still to gain any of the commercial success that their properties promise. An ultra-strong, conductive fiber is an attractive proposal, and there are numerous production processes at various stages of TRL & MRL. Many commercial companies employing a spinning process can trace their roots back to Rice University , including DexMat, Conyar, and Wootz. The other main approach is a 1-step CVD process employed by the likes of Nanocomp, acquired by Huntsman in 2018, and Tortech. Beyond the manufacturing challenges, the question will remain about where there is a market pull beyond relatively niche space, sporting, and e-textile applications.

Other comparable areas should not be ignored, namely very high aspect ratio nanotubes and hybrid products:

For more details on all of these "macro CNTs" and a broader view of MWCNTs and SWCNTs, see the IDTechEx market report "Carbon Nanotubes 2022-2032: Market, Technology, Players". For more information on IDTechEx's other reports and market intelligence offerings, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research.

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact [email protected]  or visit www.IDTechEx.com. 

Natalie Moreton  Digital Marketing Manager  [email protected] +44(0)1223 812300 

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