BNNano
BNNano is a US advanced-manufacturing company that industrially produces Boron Nitride Nanotubes and its proprietary NanoBarb variant, serving aerospace, defense, water-treatment, and advanced-manufacturing customers through direct sales, licensing, and government R&D contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCary, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BNNano does
BNNano, Inc., founded in March 2016 by Steve Wilcenski and Jason Taylor, is a US advanced-manufacturing company that develops and produces Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT) and a proprietary variant called the Boron Nitride NanoBarb — a BNNT with engineered irregular surface 'barbs' designed to mechanically interlock with matrix materials and reduce Van der Waals agglomeration. The company operates a kilogram-per-month-scale production facility in Burlington, North Carolina (headquarters) and a Research & Development facility in Abbeville, South Carolina; it is the only firm it identifies with a commercially viable industrial-scale BNNT manufacturing process, with reported cumulative shipments exceeding 10 quadrillion NanoBarbs by August 2022 and granted patents in the US (August 2022) and Taiwan (September 2022).
Its product portfolio spans raw NanoBarb powder ($125/gram publicly listed), NanoBarb Epoxy Concentrate, NanoBarb Aluminum Master Alloy (5 wt% loading), NanoBarb Filaments (PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend and ULTEM 9085) and Pellets for additive manufacturing and injection molding, NanoBarb-enhanced PET yarn, and the Crystal Photo Catalytic Destruction (PCD) System for PFAS water treatment. Quantified performance claims include a 70% yield-strength improvement in aluminum alloy at 0.4 wt% NanoBarb loading (Eck Industries demonstration) and greater than 99.99% PFAS capture-and-destruction efficiency validated by the US Navy and US university laboratories.
Revenue is generated through three streams: direct unit-priced product sales via a website storefront and through distribution (including Japan via New Metals and Chemicals Corporation), technology licensing and co-development arrangements with strategic partners such as Eck Industries and TruSpin, and government R&D contracts under the CRADA framework with the US Naval Postgraduate School. The company holds ITAR registration (granted 2022), enabling defense and space-related procurement access, and pursues multiple end-markets — aerospace, defense, water treatment, advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and thermal management — through a mix of direct enterprise sales and channel partnerships.
BNNano firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BNNano
- Legal name
- BNNano, Inc.
- Website
- http://www.bnnano.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BNNano is a US advanced-manufacturing company that industrially produces Boron Nitride Nanotubes and its proprietary NanoBarb variant, serving aerospace, defense, water-treatment, and advanced-manufacturing customers through direct sales, licensing, and government R&D contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BNNano industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Nanomaterials Manufacturing
- NAICS
- All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299)
- SIC
- Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Masterbatch Manufacturing (Color, Additive, White/Black) (IMANABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Commodity Plastic Compounds (PE/PP/PS/PVC) (IMANABAA), Plastic Compounding & Masterbatch (IMANAOAB)
Keywords
Where BNNano is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cary
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
BNNano business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Boron Nitride Nanotube / NanoBarb™ Product Sales: Direct sales of Boron Nitride NanoBarbs in various forms — powders, epoxy concentrates, master alloys, pellets, filaments. Products sold via website storefront and through distribution partners. Unit-based pricing for powders ($125/gram).
- Licensing and Technology Partnerships: Licensing of proprietary NanoBarb technology and materials to partners such as Eck Industries for aluminum applications and TruSpin for water filtration membranes. Revenue derived from technology access and collaborative development.
- Government Research and Development Contracts: CRADA agreements with US Naval Postgraduate School for defense applications R&D. ITAR registration enables participation in defense and space-related articles and services procurement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NanoBarb™ Powder — $125 per gram, ready to ship. Quantities > 20 g contact for preferred pricing. |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NanoBarb™ Filaments — 750 gram reels, PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend and ULTEM 9085 options. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BNNano product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BNNano manufactures Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT) and its proprietary NanoBarb™ morphology at industrial scale — claimed to be the only commercially viable BNNT producer in the world. Products are sold in multiple physical forms including powders ($125/gram), additive manufacturing filaments, injection molding pellets, epoxy concentrates, aluminum master alloys, PET yarn, and a Crystal PCD System for PFAS water remediation. The materials serve aerospace, defense, water treatment, automotive, and advanced manufacturing customers.
Product overview
BNNano is a nanomaterials manufacturer offering Boron Nitride Nanotubes and enhanced NanoBarb products as material additives. The core product is the Boron Nitride NanoBarb, a unique morphology with engineered irregular surfaces that enhance mechanical interlock with matrix materials. Products are sold in multiple formats: Powder (for general composite enhancement), Filaments (PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend and ULTEM 9085 for additive manufacturing), Pellets (for injection molding in various polymers), Master Alloy (for aluminum enhancement), Epoxy Concentrate (for polymer matrix systems), and a Crystal PCD System (for PFAS water treatment). These products target industries including aerospace, automotive, defense, water purification, additive manufacturing, and ballistic protection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NanoBarb: Boron Nitride Nanotubes with engineered irregular surface morphology for enhanced material properties
- NanoBarb Powders
- NanoBarb Filaments
- NanoBarb Pellets
- NanoBarb Master Alloys
Products and services
- Boron Nitride NanoBarb Powder High-purity Boron Nitride NanoBarb powder — the engineered surface of the NanoBarbs provides mechanical interlock with matrix materials, enhancing reinforcing properties of composites. Priced at $125 per gram with preferred pricing for quantities over 20 grams. Used by researchers, advanced manufacturers, and composite developers.
- NanoBarb Filaments Enhanced filaments for additive manufacturing in PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend (1 wt% NanoBarbs) and ULTEM 9085 variants. Available in 750 gram reels. The PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend offers high mechanical strength and heat resistance for FFF 3D printing; ULTEM 9085 is flame-retardant with high strength-to-weight ratio, certified for aerospace applications.
- NanoBarb Pellets Enhanced polymers compounded for injection molding providing high mechanical strength and thermal improvements. Available in PolyCarbonate, PolyCarbonate/PBT Blend, Nylon, PEEK, ULTEM, and custom compounding options for industrial manufacturers.
- NanoBarb Aluminum Master Alloy Aluminum pellets loaded with 5 wt% Boron Nitride NanoBarbs (50 grams of BNNT per 1,000 grams of alloy). Enables aluminum to achieve strength approaching that of steel while retaining aluminum's density and formability. Can be mixed into standard aluminum processes for military, aviation, medical, automotive, space, and industrial applications.
- NanoBarb Epoxy Concentrate Concentrated premix of Boron Nitride NanoBarbs in general-purpose unmodified liquid epoxy resin. Can be used as stand-alone epoxy or diluted into other epoxies and resins. Applications include coatings, adhesives, sealants, and carbon and glass fiber composites.
- Crystal Photo Catalytic Destruction (PCD) System Water purification system using patented nano-crystalline materials combined with ultraviolet light to remove and destroy PFAS contaminants. Demonstrated to capture and destroy over 99.99% of PFAS with no harmful byproducts or additional waste volumes. Targeted at municipal water utilities and industrial wastewater treatment operators.
- NanoBarb PET Yarn World's first PET yarn doped with Boron Nitride NanoBarbs. A low-cost alternative to aramids (such as Kevlar) with enhanced strength and thermal properties for textile and protective applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% yield strength improvement in aluminum alloy at 0.4 wt% NanoBarb loading (partnership with Eck Industries)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use BNNano
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BNNano technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
BNNano partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.
- TruSpin Nanomaterial InnovationcoreBNNano and TruSpin announced a strategic partnership for the pursuit of new materials and solutions for water purification, beginning with capture and removal of PFAS and PFOA ('Forever Chemicals'). TruSpin's AC-electrospun nanofiber production platform enables incorporation of BNNano's NanoBarbs into water filtration membranes. TruSpin's unique nanofiber platform combined with BNNano's materials technology creates a differentiated filtration solution.
- InnosekminorBNNano partnered with 3D printing company Innosek, announced September 2022. Details of partnership scope not extensively disclosed in available sources.
- Eck IndustriescoreBNNano and Eck Industries demonstrated successful incorporation of Boron Nitride NanoBarbs into an advanced aluminum alloy casting, boosting yield strength by 70% at 0.4 wt% loading. Eck Industries provides high-value cast products for military, aviation, medical, high-performance automotive, hybrid vehicles, space, and industrial markets.
- Innovation Network for Advanced Materials (INAM)supportingBNNano became a member of INAM, a global network of companies and research institutes in the field of Advanced Materials. INAM supports innovative ideas, products, and processes to accelerate global market entry of technology innovations by providing access to infrastructure and collaboration between corporates, startups, and research institutions.
- U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)coreCooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NPS for testing and evaluation of Boron Nitride nanomaterials for potential defense applications. NPS faculty (Drs. Claudia Luhrs, Emre Gunduz, and Andy Nieto) conduct research incorporating NanoBarbs into aerospace composites, cold spray coatings, phase change materials, and supercapacitors. CRADA extended August 2022 for ongoing and new R&D projects.
- New Metals and Chemicals CorporationcoreDistribution agreement for Japan market. New Metals and Chemicals Corporation, established in 1957 and based in Tokyo, is a market leader specializing in handling leading-edge materials, raw materials, and semiconductors. They are the first company to introduce germanium and high-purity silicon into the Japan market.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BNNano competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Resonac (formerly Showa Denko): Resonac is a Japanese diversified chemicals and advanced materials company producing ceramics, electronic materials, and specialty additives for semiconductors and composites. As a broad incumbent with global reach and Japanese market presence, it overlaps with BNNano's advanced materials and additives categories.
- Xylem (with Evoqua): Xylem, now including Evoqua Water Technologies, is a global leader in water and wastewater treatment, including PFAS-related treatment solutions for municipal and industrial customers. It is a broad incumbent whose customer base overlaps with BNNano's Crystal PCD System target market.
- Toray Industries: Toray Industries is a global advanced materials manufacturer specializing in carbon fibers, composites, plastics, and chemicals for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. It is a broad incumbent competing for advanced composite materials customers alongside BNNano's BNNT-enhanced products.
- Cabot Corporation: Cabot Corporation is a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company producing carbon blacks, masterbatches, and battery materials. As a broad incumbent in performance additives, it overlaps with BNNano's masterbatch and composite-additive product lines across similar industrial customers.
- Constellium: Constellium is a global manufacturer of advanced aluminum rolled products, extrusions, and alloys serving aerospace, automotive, and packaging markets. Its work on high-strength aluminum alloys overlaps with BNNano's aluminum master alloy product developed with Eck Industries.
Emerging players
- Markforged: Markforged produces industrial 3D printers and composite printing materials, including carbon fiber and fiberglass-reinforced filaments. It is an emerging player whose materials portfolio competes with BNNano's NanoBarb-enhanced filaments for engineering-grade additive manufacturing applications.
- OCSiAl: OCSiAl is the world's largest producer of single-walled carbon nanotubes, offering a competing advanced nanotube additive for composites, batteries, and elastomers. It is an emerging player in the broader nanotube reinforcement category that competes with BNNano for advanced materials customers, although it does not produce BNNT specifically.
Direct peers
- NaBond Technologies: NaBond Technologies is a nanomaterials manufacturer focused on Boron Nitride Nanotubes and related nanostructured materials. It targets composites, electronics thermal management, and aerospace applications, overlapping with BNNano's core use cases.
- Tekna (BNNT producer): Tekna manufactures Boron Nitride Nanotubes and other advanced nanomaterials using plasma-based processes. It is one of the closest direct competitors to BNNano in the BNNT space, although BNNano claims to be the only producer with a commercially viable process at scale.
- BNNT Materials (BNNT LLC): BNNT Materials (now BNNT LLC) is an early-mover producer of high-quality Boron Nitride Nanotubes, originally spun out from NASA's Glenn Research Center. It competes directly with BNNano in the same BNNT material category, serving overlapping research, aerospace, and defense customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BNNano social profiles
Digital presenceBNNano compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
BNNano financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BNNano leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
BNNano funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BNNano M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BNNano
What does BNNano do?
BNNano manufactures Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT) and its proprietary NanoBarb™ morphology at industrial scale — claimed to be the only commercially viable BNNT producer in the world. Products are sold in multiple physical forms including powders ($125/gram), additive manufacturing filaments, injection molding pellets, epoxy concentrates, aluminum master alloys, PET yarn, and a Crystal PCD System for PFAS water remediation. The materials serve aerospace, defense, water treatment, automotive, and advanced manufacturing customers.
Is BNNano a public or private company?
BNNano is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was BNNano founded?
BNNano was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BNNano based?
BNNano is headquartered in Cary, United States, in the North America region.
How does BNNano make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Boron Nitride Nanotube / NanoBarb™ Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Technology Partnerships and government Research and Development Contracts.
Who are BNNano's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Resonac (formerly Showa Denko), Xylem (with Evoqua), Toray Industries, Cabot Corporation and Constellium. Emerging players are Markforged and OCSiAl. Direct peers are NaBond Technologies, Tekna (BNNT producer) and BNNT Materials (BNNT LLC).
Does BNNano have an API?
No public API is recorded for BNNano.
What industry is BNNano in?
BNNano's product category is Advanced Nanomaterials Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANABAD, Masterbatch Manufacturing (Color, Additive, White/Black), with a secondary code of IMANABAA, Commodity Plastic Compounds (PE/PP/PS/PVC). Its NAICS code is 33299 and its SIC code is 3089.