Diapositive 1

1
CEFIC stakeholder dialogue on Nanomaterials The
use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can improve the
eco-efficiency of materialsNanocyl , Belgium
June 24, 2008
2
Short presentation of Nanocyl

• Medium size Belgian company, spin-off of two
  universities Namur and Liège
• One of the leading producer of carbon nanotubes
  and of master batches in Europe
• Production and research facilities in Sambreville
  (Belgium)
• Cooperation with various research centres in
  Europe
• Proactive participation in toxicological studies

3
Interest of CNTs as filler in plastic materials

• Carbon nanotubes a family of nanomaterials made
  up entirely of carbon.
• Structurally, multi-walled carbon nanotubes
  (MWCNTs) consist of multiple layers of graphite
  superimposed and rolled in on themselves to form
  a tubular shape.
• MWCNTs are characterised by
• very high mechanical strength 5 times lighter
  than steel and 20 to 100 times stronger depending
  on the occurrence of defects in the structure,
• very good electrical conductivity, as conductive
  as copper
• very good thermal conductivity same as that of
  diamond and more than twice that of copper.
• They can be easily dispersed in plastic materials

4
Examples of improved properties (1)

• Conductive compounds
• CNT technology allow to prepare conductive
  compounds with a loading less than 2-3
  resulting in a weight reduction of 5-15
  compared to other conductive fillers for
  comparable performance

5
Examples of improved properties (2)

• Mechanical
• CNT allow the production of thinner parts with
  the same mechanical/conductivity balance than
  other fillers.
• This results in a weight reduction of ca. 10-20
  

6
Examples of application weight reduction

• Application in the automotive industry
• CNT technology, through displacement of existing
  technology due to better mechanical properties,
  can result in a reduction of 10-30 kg per car.
• As a reduction of weight of 100kg results in a
  reduction of fuel consumption of 0.5L/100km.
  (Resource National Canada and Gent Univ.), a
  world wide application of CNT technology could
  lead to a global reduction of about 1MT of fuel
  consumption.
• Application in aircraft industry
• CNT technology can allow 10-15 wt weight
  reduction at equal mechanical performances
• This would lead to a kerosene saving of 0.7-1.5
  m³/plane/flight

7
Examples of application fire protection

• CNT can be used as non halogenated flame
  retardant
• Improvement of thermal stability about 100C for
  polyethylene in a classical test
• With a lower filler content from 40-60 to
  20-30
• With a weight reduction of 5-25
• With less thread to the environment
• CNT can improve thermal protection coating
• Protection of metal and other substrate by a thin
  layer of plastic material containing less than
  1wt of additive, instead of commercial solutions
  containing 40 of additive
• This leads to weight reduction in insulation.
• In aircraft tankers for example reduction of 2-5
  kg per tanker with the consecutive reduction of
  kerosene consumption.

8
Examples of application anti-foulingAnti
fouling is saving 120 million tons of fuel per
yearTo avoid adverse effects in the environment,
new non-biocidal antifouling technologies are
needed
Biological evaluation of CNT based resin
Adhesion strength of young adult barnacles

• Much lower adhesion strength
• No more trace of basal plate remaining attached
  to the surface

 theoretical lower adhesion limit 
T2 unfilled resin CNT
based resin
9
Benefits summary

• In all these examples the use of CNT provides the
  following benefits
• less resources needed due to better efficiency,
  weight reduction and waste reduction
• less energy consumption leading to less CO2
  emission
• better eco-efficiency in fire protection and
  anti-fouling
• longer life cycle by improvement of ageing
  resistance

10
Hazard assessment of CNTs

• Toxicology studies carried out by Nanocyl
  according to OECD protocols
• No acute dermal toxicity no local irritation, no
  sensitization (Namur university, Straticell,
  JRC-Ispra)
• No in vitro mutagenicity (Ames test)
• No in vitro cytotoxicity (JRC Ispra)
• In vivo inhalation studies going on (OECD 413 (90
  days) GLP study at BASF)

11
European cooperation in HSE

• Nanocyl is involved in several EU projects
  dealing with HSE issues
• Nanocyl is member of the PACTE sector group
  within CEFIC, in which the European carbon
  nanotubes producers are sharing HSE information,
  developing research projects and reviewing the
  safest ways of handling CNTS at production site
  and along the user chain (code of conduct)
• Nanocyl a SME well active in risk research

12
Exposure assessment of CNTs (1)

• Only a small fraction of CNTs is inhalable

13
Exposure assessment of CNTs (2)

• Difficulties in measuring particle size
  distribution in the nano range cooperation with
  Naneum to develop detection devices.
• Example of particle size distribution of an
  artificially produced aerosol

14
Exposure assessment of CNTs (3)

• Minimising workers exposure
• Production in closed process
• Protective equipment and ventilation to reduce
  possible exposure
• MSDS and Code of conduct provided to customers
• No direct environmental exposure
• Closed process
• Nanotubes embedded in polymer matrices

15
Prospective

• Use of the results of EU research projects on
  toxicity of nanomaterials
• Definition of an OEL for workers?
• Measure of concentration and particle size
  distribution in air and comparison to background
  in production, research and development.
• Registration under REACH
• Willingness to be transparent LCA and risk
  benefits analysis

16
Thank you for your attention

• Question time

17
Differences CNT vs. asbestos

• Carbon nanotubes
• Nanoscale and low rigidity
• Spaghetti like agglomerates

• Asbestos
• Micro scale and high rigidity
• Bundle like agglomerates

18
Differences CNT vs. asbestos

• According to Donaldson
• Short or curly carbon nanotubes did not behave
  like asbestos, and by knowing the possible
  dangers of long, thin carbon nanotubes, we can
  work to control them. Its a good news story, not
  a bad one. It shows that carbon nanotubes and
  their products could be made to be safe.

19
Examples of improved properties (3)

• Longer life product ? improved life cycle
• Ageing Photo-oxidation

20
Examples of application fire protection (2)

• Thermal barrier coating ThermoCyl?

• ISO 2685/ 1100C / 11610 kW/m2

• This document is the property of NANOCYL SA

21
Interest of CNT in plastic processing

• Through their action on the viscosity, CNT can
  improve by a factor of 5 the productivity in
  extrusion of thermoplastic polyurethane
• In injection moulding, the use of CNT can reduce
  the distortion of injected parts and then reduce
  industrial waste during the processing and in
  particular during the development phase.