OCSiAl opens European graphene nanotube production facility

Graphene nanotubes manufacturer OCSiAl (Luxembourg) has opened its first European production facility. The facility, located in Serbia, will produces Tuball nanotubes and nanotube-based products, marking a step forward in integrating nanomaterials into various industries. More than 1,500 companies worldwide, including coatings and composites manufacturers for automotive and electronics, construction and packaging, petrochemical and printing industries already use graphene nanotubes in their production lines.

“This facility’s strategic location in Serbia will enhance the supply of nanotube solutions across Europe, Asia and the U.S.,” says Konstantin Notman, OCSiAl Group CEO. “The facility will produce 60 tonnes of graphene nanotubes per year, with plans to double production by launching a second synthesis unit within the next year.”

The 10,000-square-meter facility in Serbia includes a graphene nanotube synthesis unit, production lines for nanotube-based products, a research center and quality control labs. Over the past 5 years, sales of nanotube concentrates have tripled, driven by rising demand. To support this growth, the facility includes a production line delivering nanotube concentrates with a capacity of up to 200 tonnes, which is enough to enhance up to 100,000 tonnes of various polymers for conductive and enhanced composites and coatings.

“Tuball nanotubes enhance physical properties across up to 50% of global materials markets. Their unique characteristics and ability to fundamentally change materials, coupled with their potential impact on net-zero initiatives, make them a critical component in transforming material technologies worldwide,” says Peter Cuneo, OCSiAl’s chair of the board of directors.

Graphene nanotubes can improve coating and composite sustainability by extending durability, boosting cost efficiency and reducing environmental impact, without requiring process changes or additional equipment. Suitable for industrial coatings and composites, nanotubes provide stable color, durability and anti-static properties. Applications include self-leveling ESD floors, conductive tank linings, sprayable coatings for ATEX zones, synthetic leather, anti-static textiles, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pipes and tanks, sheet molding compound (SMC) composites, FRP trays, printing sleeves and gas cylinders, which can deliver high performance and cost savings for manufacturers.

To meet growing demand, OCSiAl operates a global network of 10 licensed production partners and 25 distributors in more than 50 countries. OCSiAl’s strategic plans are focused on further expansion of production across the globe, including the construction of a production facility in Luxembourg as the next step.