3DC

What 3DC does

3DC Inc. is a Japanese deep-tech materials company founded in February 2022 as a Tohoku University spinoff, headquartered in Sendai with R&D operations in Kawasaki and a mass-production facility under construction in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture. The company develops and manufactures Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS), a proprietary three-dimensional graphene nanomaterial invented by co-founder and CSO Professor Hirotomo Nishihara in 2014. GMS consists of single-atom-thick graphene walls forming a sponge-like structure with what the company describes as unique reversible elastic deformability, high electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance, and nano-scale structural controllability.

3DC commercializes GMS as a B2B advanced material input for battery manufacturers. Its product portfolio spans four series — the BA Series for silicon anodes, BE Series for general battery applications, BK Series for catalyst supports, and IBIS Series for battery and cushioning materials — alongside dedicated conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries and silicon-anode composite materials. Performance claims include 25%+ capacity improvement, 20%+ charge-discharge performance gains, and 30%+ cycle-life extension in lithium-ion batteries, plus 2,000 mAh/kg+ capacity and 50%+ cycle-life gains in silicon-based anodes. Joint research with more than 30 universities and research institutions supports applications across lithium-ion, all-solid-state, lithium-air, and lithium-sulfur chemistries.

The company's business model is currently pre-commercial: it generates revenue by supplying pilot-scale samples to global battery manufacturers for evaluation, with mass production of GMS at the Toki City facility targeted for late 2026. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with event-driven positioning (CES 2026 debut, Battery Japan, AABC, InterBattery, academic symposia). Cumulative funding reached ¥5.65 billion (~$37M USD) across four rounds as of February 2026, backed by a mix of venture capital (ANRI, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital), strategic corporate investors (Hyundai/Kia's ZER01NE Ventures, TOAGOSEI, Nippon Carbide Industries, Toho Acetylene, Morimatsu T&S), and Japanese government grants (NEDO DTSU). The company holds 50+ patents transferred from Tohoku University and is led by founders Takuma Kuroda (CEO) and Hirotomo Nishihara (CSO), with a recently expanded executive team including a CFO, COO, CTO, and CMO.

Name

3DC

Legal name

株式会社3DC (3DC Inc.)

Website

https://3dc.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

3DC Inc. is a Japanese deep-tech materials company that develops and manufactures Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS), a proprietary 3D graphene nanomaterial used as a conductive additive and silicon-anode composite for global battery manufacturers, with mass production targeted for late 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Battery Materials

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon‑Based Carbon Materials (graphite, carbon black, CNTs, graphene from CO₂/CO) (EUABAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Solid-State Battery Materials & Cell Manufacturing (EUAFABAH)

Keywords

• Advanced carbon materials
• Battery conductive additives
• Graphene nanomaterials
• Lithium-ion battery materials
• Silicon anode materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Sendai

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. GMS Material Sales: 3DC develops, manufactures, and sells carbon materials including GMS-based conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries. The company began shipping conductive additive samples to battery manufacturers in February 2024.
2. Licensing Royalties: Patents related to GMS have been transferred from Tohoku University to 3DC, providing intellectual property rights for commercialization of the technology.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

3DC develops, manufactures, and sells Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS), a proprietary three-dimensional graphene nanomaterial invented at Tohoku University, sold as conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries and as composite materials for silicon-based anodes. The company supplies pilot-scale samples to global battery manufacturers and is constructing a dedicated mass-production facility in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, with commercial production targeted for late 2026.

Product overview

3DC offers Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS), a next-generation 3D graphene nanomaterial invented at Tohoku University in 2014. The company provides GMS in multiple product series: BE Series for general battery applications, BA Series for silicon anodes, BK Series for catalyst supports, and IBIS Series for battery/cushioning applications. Additionally, 3DC commercializes GMS-based products including conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries and silicon-based anode materials. The material's unique properties include mechanical flexibility, oxidation resistance, electrical conductivity, and structural controllability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS): The company's core product - a next-generation 3D carbon material with sponge-like structure, one carbon atom thick, developed at Tohoku University in 2014. Used as conductive additive for lithium-ion batteries and other energy storage applications.

Products and services

• GMS Conductive Additives Graphene MesoSponge® used as a conductive additive for lithium-ion battery electrodes, providing ion-transport functionality, high-voltage resistance above 4.4V, and expansion-absorption capability to improve energy density, fast-charging performance, and cycle life. Sold to lithium-ion battery manufacturers globally.
• GMS Silicon-based Anode Material Graphene MesoSponge composite material designed for silicon-based anodes, where its reversible elastic deformation absorbs the large volume changes of silicon during charge/discharge cycles to suppress degradation and enable high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Achieves 2,000 mAh/kg+ capacity and 50%+ cycle-life improvement. Sold to next-generation battery developers.
• GMS BA Series (Silicon Anode Applications) Application-specific GMS grade with 5–10 nm particle size and agglomerated structure, tailored for silicon anode composite applications in next-generation high-capacity lithium-ion batteries.
• GMS BK Series (Catalyst Support Applications) Application-specific GMS grade with 10–20 nm particle size and agglomerated structure, designed for use as a catalyst support in fuel cells, water electrolysis, and other catalytic applications.
• GMS BE Series (Battery Applications) Application-specific GMS grade with 10–100 nm particle size and highly ordered network structure, designed for use as a conductive additive in lithium-ion battery electrodes.
• GMS IBIS Series (Battery and Cushioning Material Applications) Application-specific GMS grade with 100–200 nm particle size and low-order network structure, designed for battery and cushioning material applications where larger particle size and lower-order structure are advantageous.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25%+ capacity increase in lithium-ion batteries using GMS conductive additive
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd. (東邦アセチレン株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Toho Acetylene invested JPY 370 million in 3DC's Series A second close. Both companies are headquartered in Miyagi Prefecture, sharing a vision of creating new industrial value. The partnership aims to accelerate social implementation of next-generation battery materials through collaboration in material development and manufacturing process advancement. Toho Acetylene brings industrial gas expertise essential for material manufacturing and battery production processes.
• Gifu University (岐阜大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2024Joint research with Associate Professor Tetsu Nishida on silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, aiming to achieve high capacity and long life.
• Osaka University (大阪大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2024Joint research with Professor Yuki Yamada on high-concentration electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.
• Konan University (甲南大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2024Joint research with Professor Nobuya Machida, a leading researcher in all-solid-state batteries in Japan, to develop applications for next-generation batteries.
• Aichi Institute of Technology (愛知工業大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2024Joint research with Associate Professor Hiroyuki Itoi to establish mass production process for high-quality GMS-based conductive additives.
• Yokohama National University (横浜国立大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2024Joint research with Professor Naoaki Yabuuchi on cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Won Best Poster Award at 14th Japan-France Joint Seminar on Battery.
• Tohoku UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 20243DC originated from Tohoku University. In April 2023, established '3DC x Tohoku University Co-Creation Laboratory' to promote R&D and formulate research topics on GMS. Patents transferred from university to company.
• Kenzo Nagai (Advisor)supportingOthers · 25 October 2023Former Tesla and Apple executive with 28 years of experience in overseas lithium-ion battery manufacturing appointed as advisor. Provides guidance on customer engagement and cooperation with overseas companies.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Resonac (formerly Showa Denko): Japanese chemical company producing artificial graphite and specialty carbon materials for Li-ion battery anodes and additives. Highly comparable given overlapping product category (battery-grade carbon materials) and shared Japanese customer base.
• OCSiAl: Luxembourg-based producer of TUBALL single-wall carbon nanotubes used as conductive additives in Li-ion batteries. Most directly comparable to 3DC in product category (advanced nano-carbon conductive additives) and target customers (global battery OEMs).
• Cabot Corporation: Global carbon black leader supplying conductive carbons (e.g., LITX) to Li-ion battery manufacturers. Comparable as a high-volume conductive carbon additive supplier serving the same battery value chain, with broader carbon product portfolio.
• Birla Carbon: World's largest carbon black producer (Aditya Birla Group) with battery-grade carbon black products. Comparable as a high-volume conductive carbon supplier into Li-ion batteries, competing for the same additive slot as GMS.
• Cnano Technology: China-listed producer of multi-wall carbon nanotubes for Li-ion battery conductive additives and other applications. Closely comparable as a CNT-based conductive additive supplier targeting the same battery OEM customers.
• Imerys: French specialty minerals company producing synthetic graphite and specialty carbon additives for Li-ion batteries. Comparable as a specialty carbon supplier serving battery OEMs with conductive additive and anode materials.

Emerging players

• Versarien: UK-listed graphene materials producer focused on industrial applications including composites and energy storage. Comparable as an early-stage graphene materials company, though smaller and less battery-focused than 3DC.

Others

• Targray: Canadian supplier and distributor of battery materials including advanced carbon additives. Comparable as an ecosystem participant supplying advanced carbon materials into the Li-ion battery value chain, though positioned as a distributor rather than a manufacturer.

Broad incumbents

• SGL Carbon: German specialty graphite and carbon products manufacturer serving EV battery, semiconductor, and industrial markets. Comparable as a large, established specialty carbon supplier with broader portfolio and incumbent customer relationships in battery materials.
• POSCO Future M: Korean battery materials subsidiary of POSCO Holdings producing cathode and anode materials, including artificial graphite, for Li-ion batteries. Comparable as a major battery-grade carbon material supplier targeting global EV OEMs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3DC_inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/3dcinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3dc-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors21 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3DC