LUXEMBOURG—Japanese conglomerate and fluorine technologies specialist Daikin Industries has become a shareholder in OCSiAl, a Luxembourg-based producer of graphene nanotubes.
The acquisition follows three years of collaboration in developing graphene nanotube applications as a next-generation additive, OCSiAl said in a July 27 statement.
Along with the subscription agreement, the two partners have signed a cooperation agreement to develop, produce, and market graphene nanotube solutions for lithium-ion batteries and fluoropolymers, which comprise a substantial part of Daikin's business.
Graphene nanotubes, according to OCSiAl, demonstrate "exceptional performance and definitive advantages over standard additives."
OCSiAl is claimed to be the only large-scale producer of graphene nanotubes—one-atom-thick graphene sheets rolled into tubes—which can enhance properties of materials as additives.
According to the terms of the agreement, OCSiAl has been valued at approximately $2 billion.