SDK ramps up nanofiber production

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has decided to increase its production capacity of VGCF carbon nanofibers from 40 tons/year to 100 tons/year. Construction of a new facility will begin later this year, with start-up scheduled for early 2007.

Demand for VGCF is continuing to grow rapidly, mainly for use as additives in Li-ion batteries. SDK shared that they decided to increase the capacity as it cannot fully accept orders despite continued full-capacity operation.

VGCF is a tube-like, vapor-grown fine carbon fiber having diameter of approximately 150nm and length of around 10μm. The addition of a small amount of VGCF to the electrodes of Li-ion batteries makes restrict service-capacity decline due to repeated charges and discharges, resulting in longer battery life. It also results to an increase in the amount of battery current due to improved electrical conductivity of electrodes, enabling the use of Li-ion batteries in electrical appliances requiring heavy-current discharges.

After completion of the new facility, SDK will start producing a new VGCF-S grade for use as additive in resins and metallic/ceramic materials. Composites containing VGCF-S will have high electrical/thermal conductivity and electromagnetic shielding property, opening up the possibilities of being used in electronic-components-carrier cases that need to be static free.

The company is planning to increase its annual sales of carbon nanofibers to $86.8 million by 2010.