SAMBREVILLE,
Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2005--With the
inauguration of its new industrial reactor early
March, Belgium-based company Nanocyl has become one
of the global leaders in the carbon nanotube production.
In the presence of several representatives of the
socio-economic, scientific and political scenes,
Nanocyl inaugurated 2 months ago its new industrial
reactor which enables the company to position itself
as a leading player in the carbon nanotube production.
Nanocyl specializes in the production and functionalization
of nanotubes, enabling the company to integrate carbon
nanotubes into metals, biomaterials and polymers.
Representing an investment of 2 million euros, the
development of the new reactor is the first stage
in a total investment program of over 5 million euros
financed by a substantial capital increase, the receipt
of a recoverable advance from the Walloon Region
and an intervention of major banker Fortis Bank.
The new reactor bases its nanotube production on
the catalytic deposit of carbon in the steam phase.
The catalyst, a solid reagent, breaks down the hydrocarbon
into carbon nanotubes at the point of contact. FUNDP
Namur's nuclear magnetic resonance laboratory developed
the catalysts, while the University of Liege's chemical
engineering laboratory created the reactor allowing
continuous production. The new reactor raises nanotube
production up to 15 kg/day, which makes of Nanocyl
one of the world's main producers of nanotubes.
This is a real breakthrough since the ability to
produce continuously sizeable quantities of high-quality
nanotubes removes the price obstacle for these materials
of the future and marks an essential stage in its
viability for many industrial sectors. As materials
of the future, carbon nanotubes have potential applications
in highly varied industrial sectors; Nanocyl's nanotubes
have already been used to develop a new generation
of flat screens, to create electrical cables with
reinforced fireproofing properties and to manufacture
very high-resistance synthetic fibres used in ballistic
armor-plating.
Nanocyl has also formed a strategic alliance with
NanoDynamics, a leading nanotechnology organization
and manufacturer of superior nanomaterials in North
America. This partnership enables Nanocyl to expand
the applications and commercial use of its carbon
nanotubes in this part of the world.
About Nanocyl
Nanocyl is a spin-off company, founded in February
2002, emerged from the Universities of Namur and
Liege (Belgium) and is supported by individual and
institutional investors. The purpose of Nanocyl is
to develop new business for the supply of specialty
carbon nanotubes based on an existing and expanding
portfolio of intellectual property. Nanocyl is one
of the first companies to be established in Europe
for the commercial supply of this family of novel
material. Currently, pilot production is dedicated
to associated laboratories and selected industrial
partners. Nanocyl is investing in production equipment,
laboratories and process development at its facility
in order to supply commercial quantities of carbon
nanotubes. For more information, please visit the
company's website at www.nanocyl.com .
About
Frost & Sullivan
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company, has been partnering with clients to support
the development of innovative strategies for more
than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates
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Contact: Frost & Sullivan,
San Antonio Stacie Jones, 210-247-2450 stacie.jones@frost.com
Source: Frost & Sullivan
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