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Global graphene nanotube manufacturer OCSiAl (Leudelange, Luxembourg and Columbus, Ohio, U.S.) announced that it has opened its state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) and technical support center designed to develop next-generation materials with graphene nanotubes. The new center is located in Luxembourg, place deemed a hub for advanced technology companies.

With other centers located in Asia and Eastern Europe, the Group’s current decision to open a new center in Luxembourg was in response to Europe’s forefront position in developing material engineering solutions, especially for the ongoing automotive industry revolution. Lightweight and smart car bodies, energy efficient and safe tires, are among the main focuses of OCSiAl’s European team of experts in nanotechnology and materials engineering.

According to the company, the new, 350-square-meter center has more than 50 items of high-end equipment. The major part of all developments will be targeted towards elastomers and thermoplastic composites enhanced with graphene nanotubes, which are said will be widely applied in the cars of the future.

“OCSiAl’s product line is constantly growing. We have developed high-performance solutions for Li-ion batteries and various polymers, many of which have already been accepted as an industry standard. And in fact, one of the best demonstrators and drivers of most nanotube developments is the automotive industry,” says Konstantin Notman, OCSiAl senior vice president, OCSiAl Europe CEO. “Graphene nanotubes significantly enhance and even grant new properties to all the materials that are being used in cars. We make it possible to make safer, lighter, smarter and more eco-friendly vehicles.”

The company plans to launch the world’s largest graphene nanotube synthesizing facility in Luxembourg in 2023. Together with the R&D and technical support center, OCSiAl says its new production facility will form a cluster for the most advanced developments in the field of materials of the future.