Carbon nanofibers (CNF) are ultrathin, pure carbon fibers that are 10 times stronger than steel. CNF has multiple markets due to strength enhancement and electrical and thermal conductivity properties; three key market segments are construction materials (cement), lithium-ion batteries (LiB), and plastic composites. However, CNF usage has been limited due to high cost and carbon emissions during manufacture. A breakthrough is required to realize the full potential of this advanced material.
Carbonova is poised to deliver such a breakthrough with its patented, unique, scalable catalytic process to generate high-purity CNF using two greenhouse gases, CO2 and methane, resulting in a step-change reduction in cost and energy usage, while consuming CO2, assuring sustainability.
Carbonova’s reactor technology is currently at TRL6 (based on Alberta Innovates’ technology readiness level scale). A pilot plant with a nameplate capacity of 0.5 t/yr is currently in operation, producing CNF material for customers’ critical-to-quality (CTQ) assessment and generating data for scale-up of the technology. The next step in Carbonova’s technical and commercial development is the design, construction and operation of a 25 t/yr commercial demonstration unit (CDU) to de-risk technology scale-up and meet current and future customer demand for CNF. The CNF would be utilized to produce high-performance industrial composite materials in the basic chemical manufacturing sector in Alberta, and with expansion beyond Alberta, across Canada, North America, and in selected global locations.