Jan 27 2009
Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc. (Hyperion) has concluded a patent license agreement and a supply agreement with Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) of Japan. In exchange for certain payments, royalties and other consideration, the patent license agreement provides that SDK will be able to sell carbon nanotube-based products for use within a defined field in plastics under Hyperion's extensive patent portfolio.
The supply agreement provides that SDK will purchase Hyperion’s FIBRILTM carbon nanotube-based products for resale along with its own line of carbon nanotube-based products. These license and supply agreements will help SDK and Hyperion, the world leaders in carbon nanotube commercial production technology and quality design, to continue and grow their leading positions in the production, distribution and marketing of carbon nanotube-based products. The two companies have also identified other areas of mutual interest and have initiated discussions regarding possible joint R&D projects.
David Wohlstadter, Hyperion’s Vice President of Business Development commented on the transaction stating, “We are pleased to have entered into this relationship with Showa Denko, a recognized world leader in the production of unique chemicals and materials. Hyperion is committed to continuing to expand its own sales and provide its customers with its complete carbon nanotube-based product line. We see the arrangement with Showa Denko as an initial strategic step towards leveraging Hyperion’s patent portfolio and capitalizing on the ever increasing demand for carbon nanotubes in commercial applications.”
Hyperion, which is headquartered in Cambridge Massachusetts, USA, has been manufacturing and selling its FIBRILTM carbon nanotubes for a wide range of applications since 1983. Hyperion’s flagship FIBRIL™ technology is a conductive, multi-walled carbon nanotube, which is based on the pioneering work in the field by Dr. Howard G. Tennent.
Hyperion has devoted substantial resources to developing, improving and patenting the technology related to the manufacture and use of carbon nanotubes in a variety of applications. Hyperion currently has hundreds of issued and pending patents ranging in scope from the production of carbon nanotubes to various current and future commercial applications. Hyperion supplies its FIBRIL™ nanotubes, pre-mixed, in a range of matrices. These nanotube composites are in commercial use in a growing number of automotive, electronics and other applications. The FIBRIL™ nanotubes are used to impart electrical conductivity and other benefits that are related to the unique structure of the nanotubes.