SWCNTs: Powering Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries
The global market for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is experiencing rapid growth, largely driven by their increasingly vital role in enhancing lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance. As demand intensifies for high-energy, fast-charging, and long-lasting batteries, especially in electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics, and renewable energy storage systems, SWCNTs are emerging as essential next-generation conductive additives, improving energy density, charge rate, and cycle life.
The lithium-ion battery market itself is expanding at an unprecedented pace, with global annual production capacity projected by S&P Global to exceed 6.5 TWh by 2030. In North America, output is expected to reach more than 1.2 TWh, supported by leading manufacturers such as Tesla, GM–LG Energy Solution, Ford–SK On, Volkswagen, and Panasonic. This large-scale expansion is creating a parallel surge in demand for advanced materials like SWCNTs, which are critical to realizing next-generation battery performance, particularly in architectures that rely on silicon-based anodes and thick-film cathodes.
According to Market Research Future (MRFR), the global SWCNT market was valued at USD 0.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 30.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 50.04%. This growth is largely fueled by the adoption of SWCNTs in lithium-ion batteries, where their unique structure delivers an exceptional combination of electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. As battery technologies advance, SWCNTs are steadily displacing legacy conductive materials and positioning themselves as a foundational component in the energy storage landscape.
The industry is already responding to this shift. OCSiAl, currently the world’s leading producer of SWCNTs, is expanding its production capacity, while battery developers are actively integrating SWCNTs into commercial cell designs to enhance power output, charge rate, and durability. Applications now range from thick cathode layers and enhanced silicon anodes to solid-state batteries, indicating that SWCNTs are not only compatible with current LIB technologies but also critical to the success of emerging battery platforms.
In summary, as the global energy transition accelerates, SWCNTs are set to become a cornerstone material in high-performance lithium-ion batteries, underpinning the future of electric transportation, sustainable power systems, and advanced energy infrastructure.