Carbon Nanotube Market Report 2026

The carbon nanotube market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $5.85 billion in 2025 to $6.82 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in nanomaterial synthesis techniques, increasing demand for lightweight conductive materials, growth in electronics miniaturization, rising research investments in nanotechnology, expanding use of carbon-based additives.

The carbon nanotube market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.15 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of electric vehicles and batteries, rising demand for high-performance composites, expansion of flexible and wearable electronics, growing investments in next-generation materials, increasing commercialization of nanotechnology-based products. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of carbon nanotubes in energy storage applications, rising use of cnts in advanced composite materials, growing demand for cnt-based conductive materials, expansion of cnt applications in electronics and semiconductors, enhanced focus on high-strength lightweight materials.

Increasing demand for lightweight and low carbon-emitting vehicles is expected to drive the carbon nanotube market. In the automotive industry, carbon nanotubes are extensively used as electrically conductive additives in automotive plastics for fuel systems, as reinforcement materials in vehicle production, and for other applications. Automotive companies are increasingly investing in innovative materials like carbon nanotubes to develop lightweight and low-carbon-emitting vehicles. For instance, in June 2025, according to the UK’s Department for Transport, a UK-based government agency, more than 22,000 zero-emission light goods vehicles (LGVs) were registered for the first time in 2024, marking a 3% increase over 2023. Therefore, the rising demand for lightweight and low carbon-emitting vehicles is expected to boost the carbon nanotube market.

Major companies operating in the carbon nanotube materials market are focusing on developing advanced hybrid composites to improve mechanical performance, thermal stability, and lightweight properties for applications in aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors. Advanced hybrid composites are engineered materials that combine different fibers or nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes with carbon fibers, to deliver superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. For instance, in October 2023, CARBON FLY Inc., a Japan-based materials company, in collaboration with U-pica Co., Ltd., a Japan-based partner in space material development, launched next-generation CNT hybrid prepregs aimed at mass production. These advanced materials are expected to meet the growing demand for high-performance, lightweight composites in aerospace and other high-tech applications, accelerating the adoption of CNT-based composites across multiple industrial sectors.

In October 2023, Birla Carbon, an India-based company, acquired Nanocyl for an undisclosed amount. With the acquisition, Birla Carbon's market share in the Energy Systems sector rose, giving it a dominant position in materials essential to the performance of lithium-ion batteries and other conductive applications. Nanocyl is a Belgium-based company that produces and distributes premium multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and goods developed with CNTs.

Major companies operating in the carbon nanotube market 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., Canatu, Nanomix, Nantero, Cheap Tubes, Continental Carbon Company, Raymor Industries Inc, Carbon Solutions Inc, Nanoshel LLC, Hanwha Chemical Corporation, Sabinano, Sasol.

North America was the largest region in the carbon nanotube market in 2025. 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, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

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