Zeon Corporation has begun construction of a new single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) plant at its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is targeting full-scale operations in 2028. Production capacity will be several dozen times the current level, with the company aiming to ensure stable supply under the ZEONANO brand.
On 25 August 2026, Zeon Corporation began construction of a new SWCNT plant at its Tokuyama Plant. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by 44 representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yamaguchi Prefecture and Shunan City, who prayed for the safety of the construction work. The new plant will feature a newly built facility of the same scale as the existing plant, but will adopt an improved version of the technology currently in use.
The company expects to increase production capacity several dozenfold from the current level while maintaining production facilities of the same scale, by introducing its proprietary manufacturing process based on the SG method. The SG method contributes to the production of SWCNTs combining high purity, high specific surface area and a high aspect ratio.
This investment is part of a government-supported project that may receive a government subsidy of up to approximately ¥5.1 billion, with the aim of strengthening Japan's domestic supply base. The company plans to address growing demand in Japan and overseas with ZEONANO-brand high-performance materials.
Under its medium- to long-term strategy, Zeon Corporation has positioned SWCNTs as the leading next growth driver in STAGE30, its 2030 strategy. Following the start of full-scale operations in 2028, the company plans to expand into multiple applications, including energy storage systems (ESS), automated robotics, and the space and aviation sectors.