Charged EVs | OCSiAl expands TUBALL SWCNT line for silicon anodes and solid-state batteries as it doubles production capacity

OCSiAl has completed a new portfolio of TUBALL single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dispersions targeting silicon-rich anodes, high-energy cathodes and solid-state battery chemistries, paired with an aggressive expansion of its nanotube synthesis capacity.

The new anode products address two use cases. Dispersions using ultralong SWCNTs are designed for silicon-rich anodes, where the nanotubes form conductive networks at lower loadings—important because silicon expands substantially during lithiation, degrading electrical contact that shorter or sparser carbon networks fail to maintain across cycles. A separate dispersion targets Li-ion cells using lithium-carboxymethyl cellulose (Li-CMC) binders, aimed at improving first cycle efficiency and C-rate performance. On the cathode side, NMP-based ultrafine dispersions are positioned for high-energy cells, with OCSiAl claiming higher power density and electrochemical performance. A fourth product line covers solid-state battery development with ready-to-use dispersions compatible with SSB electrode chemistries.

OCSiAl points to its G/D ratio—a measure of graphitic order in the nanotube structure, with higher values indicating fewer structural defects and better electrical conductivity—and more than a decade of consistent batch-to-batch industrial production as differentiators for manufacturers qualifying new electrode materials at scale.

Capacity is expanding fast. A second nanotube synthesis unit is launching in 2026, doubling current output. Two more units are expected within the following year, bringing total capacity to four times today’s level. A project in Luxembourg will extend OCSiAl’s global footprint, supporting total SWCNT production of up to 1,000 tonnes. Dispersion production facilities are also expanding across Europe and Asia.

OCSiAl cites energy storage systems, UPS and battery backup units as demand drivers alongside EVs and consumer electronics—markets where fast discharge response and power density matter as much as energy capacity.

Source: OCSiAl