SDK co-establishes carbon nano-fiber company

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) and a faculty member of Shinshu University, Prof. Morinobu Endo, have agreed to establish a joint venture for research of advanced carbon materials and their application to energy devices.

The new company, MEFS Co. Ltd, will focus on R&D of carbon nano-fiber in the category of "multi-walled carbon nanotube" (MWCNT) that is said to have potential for a wide range of applications. In addition to carbon nanofiber, MEFS will promote R&D of advanced carbon materials for use in fuel cells and capacitors.

As part of SDK's ongoing medium-term consolidated business plan of expanding its fine carbon business and developing battery materials based on the "strategic market unit" (SMU) concept, SDK intends to step up expansions in this field by commercializing R&D accomplishments of MEFS.