Work on carbon nanotubes to end

BAYER MaterialScience has ended its work on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an attempt to focus its development activities elsewhere.

The company says it prefers to focus more intently on topics that are closely linked to its core business. Precisely how the research results and know-how for the production and application will be used further will be determined shortly.

The conclusion of the nano projects has no impact on the employees. All 30 people employed in this sector will be transferred to other suitable positions within the Group.

Researchers from Bayer MaterialScience had collaborated with external partners in recent years to resolve complex issues related to the safe production of specific carbon nanotubes. Methods for scaling up the production processes were developed, as were new generations of catalysts and new types of products.

Much of the knowledge gleaned over recent years was made available to other companies and research institutions within the Innovation Alliance Carbon Nanotubes (Inno.CNT), which counts Bayer MaterialScience among its roughly 90 members.

"We remain convinced that carbon nanotubes have huge potential," says Patrick Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience.

It has been found, however, that the potential areas of application that once seemed promising from a technical standpoint are currently either very fragmented or have few overlaps with the company's core products and their application spectrum.

"For Bayer MaterialScience, groundbreaking applications for the mass market relating to our own portfolio and therefore comprehensive commercialization are not likely in the foreseeable future," said Thomas.

“Nonetheless, this know-how provides an important basis for a possible later use of CNT, for example in the optimization of lithium ion batteries, Thomas says. "We are currently in contact with potential interested parties regarding the specific application of the know-how generated," Thomas added.