OCSiAl setting up graphene nanotube facility in Serbia

Base materials firm OCSiAl is constructing a nanotube synthesis production facility near Belgrade, Serbia with an initial annual capacity of 60 tons of graphene nanotubes. It is scheduled to become operational next year. 

The facility will synthesize graphene nanotubes and nanotube solutions to meet the demand from customers in Europe, the US, and Asia for high-performance EV batteries, the company claims. Over the next two years, the capacity of this plant will be increased to 120 tonnes per year, it adds. 

"The project will facilitate logistics and lower supply chain costs. European-produced nanotubes and nanotube derivatives will be primarily supplied to our customers in central and western Europe, North America, and Asia," said OCSiAl Group Senior Vice President Gregory Gurevich.

In addition to synthesizing nanotubes, the facility will manufacture nanotube suspensions for lithium-ion battery, enough to enhance the performance of more than 1 million electric cars with an average battery capacity of 75 kWh per car. 

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The nanotubes create electrical networks between active material particles, improving key battery characteristics including cycle life, lower DCR, C-rate performance, and cohesion between active battery material particles. They make the battery electrodes more durable.

OCSiAl claims that graphene nanotubes unlock new battery technologies, including high-silicon content anodes, thick LFP cathodes, and fast-charging graphite anodes. They can be applied in both conventional and emerging battery technologies, such as a dry battery electrode coating process and solid-state batteries.

Further, the latest project also includes the manufacturing of nanotube concentrates for high-performance polymers. The Serbian facility will operate in conjunction with OCSiAl operational R&D center and planned graphene nanotube synthesis facility in Luxembourg. 

Together, the projects are expected to significantly strengthen the stability of the company's supply chain and increase the cost-efficiency of nanotube technologies for its customers.