OCSiAl opens graphene nanotube production facility in Serbia
Luxemburg – OCSiAl has opened its first European production facility. The facility, located in Serbia will produce TUBALL™ nanotubes and nanotube-based products, marking a significant step forward in integrating nanomaterials into various industries. More than 1,500 companies worldwide, including leading rubber and plastic manufacturers, already use graphene nanotubes in their production lines.
“This facility’s strategic location in Serbia will enhance the supply of cutting-edge nanotube solutions across Europe, Asia, and the US,” said Konstantin Notman, OCSiAl Group CEO. “The facility will produce 60 tonnes of graphene nanotubes per year, with plans to double production by launching a second synthesis unit within the next year.”
The 10,000-square-meter Serbian facility includes a graphene nanotube synthesis unit, dispersion and concentrate production lines, a research hub, and quality control laboratories. Over the past five years, sales of nanotube concentrates have tripled, driven by rising demand. To support this growth, the facility includes a production line with a capacity of up to 200 tonnes of easy-to-apply nanotube concentrates, which is enough to enhance up to 20 thousand tonnes of plastics or up to 4 thousand tonnes of rubbers.
Graphene nanotubes create a uniform conductive network in elastomers and thermoplastics even at minimal dosages, enhancing strength and durability. When integrated into car and motorcycle tire treads, graphene nanotubes provide reduced rolling resistance, improved stability and wet grip, and required electrical resistance – all while maintaining durability. Latex gloves with graphene nanotubes meet EN 16350 standards, support coloration, and offer touchscreen capability and enhanced protection – even with standard liners without conductive yarns. Graphene nanotubes in miners’ signal lamps and containers for flammable liquids provide stable permanent conductivity regardless of humidity, preventing electrostatic charge accumulation and enhancing safety in explosive or hazardous environments.
“TUBALL™ nanotubes are a game-changing material that enhances physical properties across up to 50% of global materials markets. Their unique characteristics and ability to fundamentally change materials, coupled with their potential impact on Net Zero initiatives, make them a critical component in transforming material technologies worldwide,” said Peter Cuneo, OCSiAl’s Chair of the Board of Directors.
To meet growing demand, OCSiAl operates a strong global network of 10 licensed production partners and 25 distributors in more than 50 countries. OCSiAl’s strategic plans are focused on further production expansion across the globe, including the construction of a production facility in Luxembourg as the next step.