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Lenzing partners with Nanocarbons LLC to develop new activated carbons in electrode technology

Deerfield/Florida, December 2012 – At the 22nd annual International Seminar on Double Layer Capacitors Lenzing AG and Nanocarbons LLC announced their joint cooperation to develop and explore the use of new activated carbons in electrode technology.

This technology is based on a combination of TENCEL® fibers from Lenzing and the proprietary technology of Nanocarbons LLC, Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA). The announcement of this step forward was very well received among the industry audience.

The resultant carbons deliver optimum performance in the key areas of energy storage, power and substrate density. After extensive research Lenzing has recently announced a new pilot production facility to take this technology forward. It is believed these carbons will accelerate the development of the already rapid growth in uses of these electrical devices (double layer capacitors also known as ultra capacitors or super capacitors). These high performance capacitors are increasingly used in electric and hybrid vehicles along with stop-start, uninterruptable power suppliers and even wind turbine blade orientation.

Wolfgang Plasser, Vice President and General Manager Business Unit Nonwoven Fibers, explains: “Lenzing’s core business is in sustainable fibers but is increasingly diversified through strong innovation projects. We continue to invest in new areas of research to increase the range and reach of our product portfolio, both in-house and through external cooperation. This development compliments well our existing business in technical markets which also includes the separator materials for the same devices. We strongly believe in the future growth of this market and believe we offer a sustainable consistent performance product to allow the industry to develop further.”

Rud Istvan, CEO of Nanocarbons LLC, comments: “I strongly believe that this development will allow the double layer capacitor market to make a significant advancement. With the combination of Lenzing’s technical understanding and infrastructure and Nanocarbons technology we can expect an acceleration in the market uses and exploitation of double layer capacitors from new automotive stop-start systems to uninterruptible power supplies. This could be a breakthrough for electrode technology that will reap dividends for the designers of electrical complements and the drivers of vehicles alike.”

Business Unit Nonwoven Fibers is part of the Lenzing Group
The Lenzing Group
The Lenzing Group is a world market leader with headquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets as well as a worldwide network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing supplies the global textile and nonwovens industry with high-quality man-made cellulose ibers and is the leading supplier in many business-to-business markets. The portfolio ranges from dissolving pulp, standard and specialty cellulose fibers to high-quality plastic polymer products and engineering services.

Lenzing quality and innovative strength set global standards for man-made cellulose fibers. With more than 70 years of experience in fiber production, the Lenzing Group is the only company worldwide combining the manufacturing of all three man-made cellulose fiber generations on a large industrial scale under one roof – from the classic viscose to modal and lyocell (TENCEL®) fibers. The success of the Lenzing Group is based on a unique combination of consistent customer orientation together with its leadership in innovation, technology and quality. Our successful specialization strategy and an outstanding cost position are the basis for our economic strength.

Lenzing is committed to the principle of sustainable management and very high environmental standards. Lenzing’s core business fibers is complemented by our activities in the business fields plastics and engineering.

NanoCarbons LLC, Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA)
NanoCarbons LLC was formed in 2005 to fund materials development and patent applications covering scientific discoveries concerning double layer capacitance. These suggested means to produce significantly better carbons for double layer capacitor energy storage. The company completed materials development research in 2009, and manufacturing engineering studies in 2011. It now holds basic patents related to these materials issued in the US, Europe, Japan, China, Russia, and India.