Domestic CNT Slurry Manufacturers and Their Major Clients: Mapping China’s Carbon Nanotube Ecosystem

As carbon nanotube (CNT) technology becomes an indispensable part of next-generation lithium battery architecture, China has emerged not only as the world’s largest consumer of CNTs for battery applications but also as a dominant producer. This article explores the landscape of domestic CNT slurry manufacturers in China, their technological strengths, and the leading clients they serve—most notably in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain led by giants like CATL, BYD, and EVE Energy.

Why Focus on CNT Slurry?

CNTs on their own, in powder or agglomerated form, are challenging to handle and disperse. To make them suitable for mass battery production, manufacturers create CNT slurry (also known as conductive paste or conductive dispersion), which contains well-dispersed CNTs in a liquid carrier—typically water or solvent—with or without additives like surfactants and binders.

CNT slurry is a value-added product that:

• Reduces processing complexity for battery makers.

• Ensures uniform dispersion of CNTs in electrode formulations.

• Enhances conductivity at low CNT dosages (e.g., 0.1–0.3 wt%).

• Enables stable, reproducible electrode performance.

Top CNT Slurry Producers in China

Here’s a closer look at key CNT slurry manufacturers based in China and the clients they serve in the high-growth lithium battery market.

1. Shenzhen BTR New Energy Materials (贝特瑞)

Overview: A publicly listed leader in battery materials, BTR is known for both its carbon black and CNT products. It produces high-purity MWCNTs and CNT slurries used in various lithium battery systems.

Key Clients: CATL, BYD, EVE Energy
Strengths:

• Vertical integration from CNT synthesis to dispersion.

• Strong R&D capabilities in water-based slurries.

• High volume output compatible with 4C–6C rate batteries.

2. Jiangsu Cnano Technology (天奈科技)

Overview: Specializing in carbon nanomaterials, Cnano is a leading supplier of MWCNTs and their conductive pastes. Their slurries are widely used in EV battery cathodes and anodes.

Key Clients: CATL, SVOLT, CALB
Strengths:

• Large-scale MWCNT synthesis via floating catalyst CVD.

• Water and solvent-based slurry systems.

• Publicly listed with strong export reach.

3. Shenzhen Dynanonic Co., Ltd. (当升科技)

Overview: While known for cathode materials, Dynanonic has expanded into CNT dispersions tailored for high-nickel and silicon-rich battery chemistries.

Key Clients: Emerging EV cell producers and pouch-cell players
Strengths:

• Specializes in high-rate cathode support materials.

• Innovation in hybrid dispersions (e.g., CNT + carbon black).

• Close cooperation with OEMs for tailored slurry design.

4. Shandong Dazhan Nano Materials Co., Ltd. (大展纳米)

Overview: A rising player focused exclusively on CNTs and dispersion technologies for lithium battery applications. Dazhan emphasizes performance in high-rate LFP systems.

Key Clients: Gotion High-Tech, BYD secondary supply chain
Strengths:

• High-stability dispersions with shelf lives >6 months.

• Competitive pricing and delivery capability.

• Water-based systems optimized for high-throughput lines.

5. Ningbo GrapheneRich NanoTech Co., Ltd.

Overview: Positioned as a boutique provider of customized CNT solutions, GrapheneRich specializes in dispersions with controllable viscosity, CNT type (SWCNT/MWCNT), and additive synergy.

Key Clients: R&D centers, universities, pilot lines, and specialty EV startups.
Strengths:

• Tailor-made solutions for lithium-silicon and fast-charge systems.

• Ready-to-use CNT pastes with XFZ20 dispersant compatibility.

• Focus on consistency and batch-to-batch stability.

Major End Users: The CATL Supply Chain

CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, has integrated CNT slurry into nearly every generation of its high-performance battery platforms. Their preferences include:

• Water-based slurries for LFP and mid-tier NMC chemistries.

• High-conductivity CNT slurries for ultra-fast charging designs.

• Hybrid systems (CNT + carbon black or graphene) to balance cost and performance.

Other battery cell manufacturers in CATL’s extended network—such as Farasis, SVOLT, and EVE—have followed suit, creating a booming market for reliable, scalable CNT slurry providers.

What Battery Manufacturers Want

Battery OEMs choose CNT slurry suppliers based on:

1. Dispersibility and stability: Slurries must remain stable for weeks and be redispersible if sediment forms.

2. Customization: Formulations vary by cathode/anode chemistry and desired C-rate.

3. Batch consistency: Reliable electrical and rheological properties over time.

4. Cost-performance balance: Lower CNT dosage without sacrificing conductivity.

5. Process compatibility: Slurry viscosity and drying behavior must match coating lines.

Trends in China’s CNT Slurry Market

Several trends are shaping the domestic CNT slurry landscape:

• Shift to water-based slurries: Driven by environmental regulations and NMP phase-outs.

• Increased use of hybrid systems: Combining CNTs with graphene or conductive carbon to lower cost.

• Rapid capacity expansion: Multiple suppliers are scaling output to meet EV battery demand projections through 2030.

• Technology export: Chinese CNT slurries are increasingly being exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, and India, accompanying Chinese battery plants overseas.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the market is booming, suppliers face several hurdles:

• SWCNT supply constraints: High-cost and limited availability still restrict adoption.

• IP risk and process know-how: Protection of dispersion formulations and proprietary surfactant systems is key.

• Technical service demands: Clients expect suppliers to support process tuning and cell optimization.

However, the massive momentum behind EV adoption—both in China and globally—makes CNT slurry a growth market with high technological leverage.

Conclusion

China’s CNT slurry ecosystem is dynamic, vertically integrated, and strategically aligned with the country’s battery industry leadership. As next-generation EVs demand faster charging and higher energy density, domestic slurry suppliers are well-positioned to deliver scalable, performance-driven solutions.

From giants like BTR and Cnano to niche innovators like GrapheneRich NanoTech, these companies are quietly enabling the batteries of the future — one nanoliter of CNT slurry at a time.