Carbon Nanotube Global Market Report 2024

The carbon nanotube market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.28 billion in 2023 to $5.06 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1%. During the historical period, the rise was primarily propelled by the expansion of emerging markets, a surge in electronics manufacturing, and the burgeoning aerospace industry. Conversely, factors that hampered this growth included the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, health-related risks, heightened environmental concerns, as well as safety issues concerning both production processes and technology.

The carbon nanotube market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.33 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5%. Anticipated growth in the forecast period stems from increased investments, expanded use of carbon nanotubes across industries, and rising demand for eco-friendly, lightweight vehicles. Key trends include intensified R&D investments, leveraging AI for carbon nanotube advancements, and a surge in strategic partnerships and collaborations.

The carbon nanotube market is anticipated to experience growth, driven by the increasing demand for lightweight and low carbon-emitting vehicles. Within the automotive industry, carbon nanotubes find widespread use as electrically conductive additives in automotive plastics for fuel systems, as well as reinforcement materials in vehicle production. Companies in the automotive sector are making significant investments in innovative materials such as carbon nanotubes to facilitate the development of vehicles that are both lightweight and emit lower levels of carbon. A study conducted by Loughborough University highlights the need for automotive companies to reduce the weight of cars by 25% to meet current emission targets and adopt the latest innovative engine technologies. Consequently, the growing demand for lightweight and low carbon-emitting vehicles is poised to drive the carbon nanotube market.

The market's growth is further propelled by the increasing utilization of carbon nanotubes across various industries, including medicine, healthcare, electronics, engineering, automotive, and energy storage. Carbon nanotubes offer superior qualities compared to conventional materials, contributing to their extensive use. In the medical field, carbon nanotubes are employed in various applications such as tissue regeneration, biosensor diagnosis, drug extraction, and detection of contaminants, demonstrating their versatility in medical advancements. In construction, carbon nanotubes are added to cement-based materials to regulate microcrack development, improve mechanical behavior, and reduce deformation. Within the automotive industry, carbon nanotubes contribute to enhancing fuel efficiency, particularly in fuel component systems. In electronics, carbon nanotubes are utilized in the production of transparent conductive films (TCF), offering a highly conductive, transparent, and cost-effective alternative for flexible displays and touch screens. The increasing applications of carbon nanotubes across diverse industries are expected to drive sustained growth in the carbon nanotube market.

The growth of the carbon nanotube market in the forecast period is expected to be driven by increasing investments in the industry. These investments play a crucial role in enabling companies to expand their production capacity and develop new technologies. An example of this trend is seen in the actions of LG Chem, a South Korean chemical company, which, in August 2022, expanded its investment in carbon nanotubes (CNT) by constructing a single-line CNT manufacturing plant. This strategic move is part of LG Chem's initiative to enhance its competitiveness in the rapidly growing global CNT market, particularly in the context of electric vehicle (EV) battery materials. The CNT conductive additive market is projected to experience significant growth, reaching $2.3 billion, with demand for CNT expected to rise from 5,000 tons in 2021 to 70,000 tons by 2030. Another example is Tiannai Technology, a Chinese technology company, which announced plans in June 2022 to invest in the construction of a project focused on single-wall carbon nanotubes, with an annual output of 450 tons and a total investment of about CNY 1.2 billion ($168.57 million). This multi-phase project is indicative of the industry's drive to expand production capabilities and meet growing demand.

A key trend gaining popularity in the carbon nanotube market is the continuous emphasis on research and development (R&D) activities to explore new applications, such as in glass-ceramics and structural steel. Companies in the carbon nanotube market are increasingly allocating resources to R&D endeavors aimed at developing innovative carbon nanotubes. One such example is OCSiAl, a Luxembourg-based nanotechnology company, which plans to invest $300 million in establishing a new graphene development center. This center will focus on advancing carbon nanotube technologies for niche industries, including batteries, industrial coatings, and other end-use sectors. These R&D efforts reflect the industry's commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving demands of various end-use industries, contributing to the strengthening of market positions.

In October 2023, Birla Carbon, an India-based company, completed the acquisition of Nanocyl for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move bolstered Birla Carbon's market presence within the Energy Systems sector, elevating its standing as a leading provider of materials crucial for the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries and various conductive applications. Nanocyl, a Belgium-based company, specializes in manufacturing and supplying premium multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as well as products developed using CNT technology.

Major companies operating in the carbon nanotube market report are LG Chem Ltd., Kumho Petrochemical, Arkema S.A, Showa Denko K.K., Cabot Corporation, OCSiAl, Jiangsu Cnano Technology Co. Ltd., Hyperion Catalysis International, Nano-C, Nanocyl SA, Meijo Nano Carbon Co. Ltd., Zeon Corporation, Chengdu Organic Chemicals Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Sanshun Nano New Materials Co. Ltd., The Linde Group, Messer Group, Amcs Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industrial Ltd., Air Liquide, Praxair Inc, Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd., Taiyo Nippon Sanso, Oxair, Air Products And Chemicals Inc, Royal Dutch Shell, Aker Solutions, Equinor, Total Energies, Nano - C, Canatu, Nanomix, Nantero, Cheap Tubes, Exxonmobil Russia, Lukoil, Polish Energy Group, ZeroCO2, Terrasigna, Continental Carbon Company, Klean Commodities, Raymor Industries Inc, Carbon Solutions Inc, Nanoshel Llc, Hanwha Chemical Corporation, Sabinano, Sasol, Carbacid Investments Limited, Afrox.

North America was the largest region in the carbon nanotube market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the carbon nanotube market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the carbon nanotube market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

Two primary variations of carbon nanotubes exist such as single-walled and multi-walled. Single-walled nanotubes are one-dimensional carbon allotropes with high surface area-to-aspect ratios. They are produced using various methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), arc discharge, laser ablation, floating catalyst, catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), high-pressure carbon monoxide, among others. These nanotubes find applications across industries such as electronics, semiconductors, energy storage, chemical materials, polymers, medical and pharmaceuticals, as well as structural composites. Manufacturing processes for these carbon nanotubes include arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical vapor deposition, catalytic chemical vapor deposition, high-pressure carbon monoxide, CoMoCAT, floating catalyst, and others. They cater to diverse sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, energy storage, chemical materials and polymers, medical fields, structural composite applications, and more.

The carbon nanotube market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides carbon nanotube market statistics, including carbon nanotube industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a carbon nanotube market share, detailed carbon nanotube market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the carbon nanotube industry. This carbon nanotube market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The carbon nanotube market consists of sales of armchair carbon nanotubes and chiral carbon nanotubes. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.


The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.