Zeon to meet growing demand for single-walled carbon nanotubes for lithium-ion batteries by building a new production line scheduled for full-scale operation in 2028 

April 24, 2026

Zeon Corporation (Zeon; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tetsuya Toyoshima) has decided to expand production of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at its Tokuyama Plant (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture; Plant Manager: Akira Honma). The company plans to increase production capacity more than tenfold, strengthening its presence in the SWCNT market amid growing demand, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, while further enhancing its capabilities to ensure a stable supply. Construction of the SWCNT plant is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026, with full-scale operation planned for 2028. This project has been certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) under its Ensuring Supply Plan for Storage Batteries. 

Originally developed in Japan, carbon nanotubes are lightweight and offer high electrical conductivity, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. In particular, demand for SWCNTs is growing as they significantly enhance both the energy density and cycle life of batteries. SWCNTs are regarded as a highly promising material for lithium-ion batteries, for which demand is rapidly increasing not only in applications such as electric vehicles, drones, and eVTOL aircraft but also across industrial sectors including AI server BBUs, renewable energy ESS, and automation and robotics. In 2015, Zeon became the first company in the world to successfully mass-produce SWCNTs using its proprietary Super-Growth Method. Under the ZEONANO® brand, Zeon manufactures and sells SWCNTs characterized by high purity, high specific surface area, and a high aspect ratio. Zeon is responding to robust demand for SWCNTs, primarily for lithium-ion batteries, by constructing the new building and production line on the same premises as the Tokuyama Plant, where mass production is currently ongoing. In addition, Zeon has developed an advanced version of its proprietary manufacturing process based on its existing methodology. The new production line will incorporate this process to improve production efficiency and product quality. 

Under its Medium-Term Business Plan STAGE30, Zeon has identified SWCNTs as a next-phase growth driver and aims to achieve growth exceeding the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the target market. The company has been actively expanding its business, including an investment in Sino Applied Technology Co., Ltd. (head office: Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Chairman: Thomas Yang), a Taiwanese startup that develops conductive paste using SWCNTs, in October 2025. This latest decision to expand production capacity is expected to provide a foundation for accelerating the development of further SWCNT applications. Zeon will continue to address market needs and meet societal expectations, while also contributing to more comfortable lives for people around the world.