Kumho Petrochemical will begin mass production of few-walled carbon nanotubes (FWCNT) for use as conductive additives in electric vehicle batteries, accelerating its shift toward a higher-value materials business.
Originally slated for the second half of 2024, the timeline was advanced due to a rebound in the EV battery market. Global EV battery usage in Q1 this year rose 9.1% to 244.6 GWh, according to SNE Research, with EV sales also trending upward.
CNT offers electrical conductivity 1,000 times greater than copper and tensile strength 100 times that of steel. FWCNT, with superior conductivity to carbon black, improves battery capacity, lifespan, and energy density. Products fall into three general categories: multi-walled CNT (MWCNT), FWCNT and single-walled CNT (SWCNT), with fewer walls equalling higher electrical conductivity.
Kumho Petrochemical has expanded its CNT production capacity from 120 tons to 360 tons. Mass production of FWCNT on existing facilities is expected to boost profitability.
The company plans to broaden its high-value product lineup, aiming to complete development of CNT for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries this year and commercialize it next year. This strategy helps counter oversupply in the basic petrochemical market.
The company is also building competitiveness in the EV market by expanding capacity of solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), a high-performance synthetic rubber used as EV material.
Image: CNT produced by Kumho Petrochemical. Credit: Kumho Petrochemical.
