Quick Takeaways
- Two companies are collaborating to scale carbon nanotube film production for next-generation automotive applications.
- The focus is on enabling large-area, transparent, and energy-efficient heating solutions such as full windshield defogging.
On January 2, Canatu Plc entered into a 17-month Joint Development Agreement with DENSO Corporation focused on advancing carbon nanotube film manufacturing for automotive applications. The collaboration targets the development of new production equipment capable of creating significantly larger-area CNT films, a key requirement for next-generation vehicle technologies.
Scaling up carbon nanotube film manufacturing is essential to unlock applications that demand uniform heating and transparency across wide surfaces. One of the most prominent use cases is full windshield heating, where larger CNT films can deliver faster defogging, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced driver visibility in cold conditions.
Carbon nanotube film manufacturing equipment development scope
Under the agreement, the partners will design and build a large-scale CNT deposition chamber that integrates with Canatu’s existing CNT100 HPR reactors and downstream post-processing tools. This approach ensures continuity with current production platforms while enabling a clear pathway to higher-volume, larger-format CNT film output.
Key elements of the development program include:
Automotive impact of carbon nanotube film manufacturing scale-up
The new system will initially be assembled and validated at Canatu’s manufacturing site in Finland, allowing comprehensive performance testing before any potential relocation. If required, the equipment can later be dismantled, transported, and reassembled at DENSO’s facility in Japan, offering flexibility for future industrialization.
From a commercial perspective, the total contract value falls within the lowest quartile of Canatu’s “Medium” category, defined as EUR 1.0–5.0 million under its disclosure policy. Revenue related to the project is expected to be recognized primarily during the first half of 2026, aligning with key development milestones.
By addressing scale limitations in carbon nanotube film manufacturing, the partnership strengthens the foundation for broader adoption of CNT-based solutions in vehicles, supporting advanced heating, sensing, and transparent conductive applications across the automotive sector.
Scaling up carbon nanotube film manufacturing is essential to unlock applications that demand uniform heating and transparency across wide surfaces. One of the most prominent use cases is full windshield heating, where larger CNT films can deliver faster defogging, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced driver visibility in cold conditions.
Carbon nanotube film manufacturing equipment development scope
Under the agreement, the partners will design and build a large-scale CNT deposition chamber that integrates with Canatu’s existing CNT100 HPR reactors and downstream post-processing tools. This approach ensures continuity with current production platforms while enabling a clear pathway to higher-volume, larger-format CNT film output.
Key elements of the development program include:
- Compatibility with existing CNT reactor infrastructure
- Ability to deposit uniform CNT films over larger surface areas
- Integration with established post-processing workflows
Automotive impact of carbon nanotube film manufacturing scale-up
The new system will initially be assembled and validated at Canatu’s manufacturing site in Finland, allowing comprehensive performance testing before any potential relocation. If required, the equipment can later be dismantled, transported, and reassembled at DENSO’s facility in Japan, offering flexibility for future industrialization.
From a commercial perspective, the total contract value falls within the lowest quartile of Canatu’s “Medium” category, defined as EUR 1.0–5.0 million under its disclosure policy. Revenue related to the project is expected to be recognized primarily during the first half of 2026, aligning with key development milestones.
By addressing scale limitations in carbon nanotube film manufacturing, the partnership strengthens the foundation for broader adoption of CNT-based solutions in vehicles, supporting advanced heating, sensing, and transparent conductive applications across the automotive sector.
Company Press Release
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