Nanocyl announced it is installing a new reactor with a capacity of 400 metric tons/year for producing its NC 7000 carbon nanotube technologies. The new reactor, scheduled to come online in July 2010, will be located in Sambreville, Belgium.
"We have successfully scaled up our carbon nanotube production technology," stated Francis Massin, Chief Executive Officer of Nanocyl. "This new unit will complement the existing reactor that we have already upscaled to 60 metric tons/year. Thanks to these capacity increases, we will be able to support the rapidly growing demand of our customers."
"This new unit will complement the 3,000 metric tons/year extrusion line we installed midyear that is enabling us to offer Plasticyl thermoplastic concentrates for new applications requiring electrical conductivity and protection from electrostatic discharge (ESD)," he said.
According to Massin, Nanocyl also added the capability in September to compound high temperature thermoplastics, such as PEEK, to address the demands of the semiconductor industry for CNTs that have greater resistance to chemicals.
"The market has recognized that we offer the most conductive carbon nanotubes," Massin stated. "With this new production unit and increased capacity, we will continue to be the leader for cost-competitive carbon nanotube technologies."
Nanocyl also announced it is expanding its global commercial organization.
"This new organization will bring us closer to our customers, and give them more market and technical support," said Monique Lempereur, Global Commercial Executive Director. "It solidifies our global leadership position in providing integrated CNT solutions."
Newly appointed to the commercial organization are:
- Mr. M. Y. Yun as General Manager Nanocyl Korea
- Mr. Ralph Lavi as General Manager Nanocyl North America
- Mr. Dieter Nienhaus as Key Account Senior Manager for the automotive industry
- Dr. Markus Rosenbaum as Global Business Development Senior Manager for flame retardants and coatings.
"All of these professionals bring significant experience, leadership, and expertise in the chemical industry, and will help us further consolidate the CNT markets where we have seen significant adoptions in 2009," Lempereur stated.
"Nanocyl has indeed achieved major advancements this year in the electronics packaging and automotive industries, and in developing CNT-based applications for fiber composites, flame retardants, and coatings applications," she added.
According to Lempereur, a new global technical service department is included in the organization. "Our goal is to provide more comprehensive assistance in helping customers select, evaluate, and use the best carbon nanotube technologies for their applications," she said.
Dr. Michael Claes, who has been with Nanocyl for five years, will lead the new department.