Carbon Fly

What Carbon Fly does

Carbon Fly (株式会社カーボンフライ) is a Tokyo-based materials venture company founded in January 2022 by materials scientist Fei Deng, specializing in research, development, and manufacture of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the production equipment used to make them. Its core technology is the proprietary Caltema® continuous mass-production system, which uses a sputtering catalyst method to deliver industrial-scale, high-purity CNTs with controlled length and diameter, addressing the long-standing industry challenge of simultaneously achieving CNT quality, cost, and scale. Products are offered in three forms — CNT powder, CNT fiber, and CNT film — plus value-added derivatives including CyFT® CNT hybrid prepreg (co-developed with Japan U-pica under Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Group) and CNT tethers for space-debris-capture applications.

The company monetizes through direct B2B sales of CNT materials, sale and installation of Caltema® equipment (5-ton class currently, 100-ton class under development following the Oct 2024 acquisition of Vacuum Products Corporation), and commissioned R&D services. End markets span aerospace and space (satellite panels, space tethers via STARS-X), aviation and drones (ACSL PF4 long-range drone, a first-of-its-kind CNT drone part), energy storage and mobility (lithium-ion battery additives with Denka), sports and leisure (capital alliance with Mizuno), and life sciences. Distribution is supported by major shareholder Kanematsu Corporation, with international expansion underway via JEC World participation and the US subsidiary CARBONFLOW, Inc. The company's strategic capital base — including Mizuno, Denka, IP Bridge, Kanematsu, and FCC — reflects a partnership-driven GTM model typical of Japanese deep-tech startups targeting industrial customers across multiple verticals.

Name

Carbon Fly

Legal name

株式会社カーボンフライ

Website

https://carbonfly.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carbon Fly (株式会社カーボンフライ) is a Tokyo-based materials venture founded in 2022 that develops and manufactures ultra-high-quality multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via its proprietary Caltema® mass-production system, serving aerospace, drones, energy storage, mobility, and sports customers through B2B sales of CNT materials, equipment, and co-developed composites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Carbon Nanomaterials Manufacturing

NAICS

Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (335991)

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

Functional Carbon Fillers (Carbon Black, Graphite) (IMAEAFAO)

Keywords

• Carbon nanotubes
• CNT production equipment
• Nanocarbon materials
• CNT composite materials
• Advanced materials manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Aomi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CNT Product Sales: Sale of carbon nanotube products in three forms: powder, fiber, and film. Products serve as raw materials for conductive paste, structural materials, and functional additives across multiple industries.
2. Caltema® Equipment Sales: Sale and installation of Caltema® CNT mass production equipment to customers seeking to produce their own CNTs. Development of 100-ton class production system underway.
3. CNT Hybrid Prepreg (CyFT): Sale of advanced composite prepreg materials co-developed with Japan U-pica for aerospace, mobility, and sports applications.
4. R&D Services and Consulting: Consulting and commissioned development services for nanocarbon material applications and carbon recycling technology.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Carbon Fly researches, develops, and manufactures ultra-high-quality multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using its proprietary Caltema® continuous production system. The company sells CNTs in three forms (powder, fiber, and film) as raw materials, produces advanced CNT hybrid composites (CyFT® prepreg) and CNT tethers for space applications, and also sells the Caltema® mass production equipment itself to enable customers to produce their own CNTs.

Product overview

Carbon Fly is a material venture company developing and manufacturing ultra-high-quality carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the production equipment to make them. The core product is Caltema®, a proprietary large-scale CNT mass production system that produces multi-walled carbon nanotubes in three forms: powder, fiber, and film. The company also produces value-added products including CyFT® (CNT hybrid prepreg) combining CNT film with carbon fiber and CBZ resin for space-quality applications, and CNT tethers for space debris capture. Products serve aerospace, aviation, mobility, energy, sports, and construction industries. The company acquired Vacuum Products Corporation as a consolidated subsidiary to strengthen mass production capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Caltema: Large-scale carbon nanotube production facility system
• CyFT
• Qruva

Products and services

• Caltema® Mass Production System Proprietary large-scale carbon nanotube mass production facility capable of producing 5-ton class high-quality MWCNTs with AI-optimized conditions and IoT remote monitoring. Compact enough for office buildings with attachments for powder, fiber, and film production.
• CNT Powder Ultra-high-quality multi-walled carbon nanotube powder with length of 100nm to 10,000nm for diverse applications including tires, conductive agents, and aircraft engines.
• CNT Fiber Carbon nanotube fiber with spinnability for cable, wire, and high-pressure hydrogen tank applications. Easily twisted into fibers for transportation and storage fields.
• CNT Film Ultra-thin CNT film including prepreg state pre-impregnated with resin. Controllable mechanical properties by lamination, used for aircraft structures, wind power blades, and golf clubs.
• CyFT® CNT Hybrid Prepreg Next-generation CNT hybrid prepreg combining carbon fiber with CNT film and CBZ resin. Lighter, stronger, and more productive than conventional CF prepreg, specifically developed for space quality applications.
• CNT Tether High-strength ultra-lightweight CNT tethers for space applications including STARS-X project for space debris capture. Produced in collaboration with YGK Co. for fishing line manufacturing technology.
• Qruva Quartz Diaphragm Vacuum Gauge Quartz diaphragm vacuum gauge for precision measurement in CNT production processes, enabling accurate vacuum control in manufacturing environments.
• R&D Services and Consulting Consulting and commissioned development services for nanocarbon material applications and carbon recycling technology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32% weight reduction compared to aluminum panels in satellite applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ACSLcoreTechnology or IntegrationCarbonFly supplies CNT-enhanced body parts for ACSL's PF4 long-range multi-use drone. This marks the first-ever adoption of CNT in drone components, enabling improved durability and extended flight range. ACSL is a Japanese industrial drone manufacturer specializing in autonomous control technology with AI edge computing for infrastructure inspection, logistics, and disaster response applications.
• Japan U-pica Co., Ltd. (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of CyFT® CNT hybrid prepreg combining CarbonFly's CNT film with Japan U-pica's CBZ resin. Products include CNT-CFRP panels for nanosatellites (32% lighter than aluminum, passed vibration/shock tests). Mass production targeted for 2024. Joint exhibition at SAMPE Japan and international trade shows.
• STARS Space Service (SSS) / Chubu Nippon Plastic Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbonFly provides custom-engineered CNT tethers for STARS-X microsatellite project for space debris capture technology demonstration using space tether. JAXA-selected program under 'Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-3'. SSS is aerospace/education division of Chubu Nippon Plastic developing nanosatellites with Shizuoka University.
• YGK Co., Ltd.majorTechnology or IntegrationComposite yarn development combining CarbonFly's ultra-high-quality CNTs with YGK's precision braiding technologies for space debris capture applications. YGK is a premier global fishing line manufacturer (flagship brand 'XBRAID') with world-class manufacturing capabilities.
• Shizuoka University (Nohmi Laboratory)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Masahiro Nohmi serves as advisor for CarbonFly's aerospace business. Collaboration on CNT applications for space including satellite panels, tethers, and debris capture systems. Prof. Nohmi is CTO of STARS Space Service and leads Japan's pioneering nanosatellite tether research program.
• Mizuno Corp.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital and business alliance for CNT application development in sports and leisure field. CarbonFly received funding and signed joint R&D agreement. Collaboration aims to develop unprecedented products leveraging CNT's light weight and high strength properties for sporting goods.
• Vacuum Products Corporation (VP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired as consolidated subsidiary for next-generation CNT production. VP has proven track record in vacuum equipment development. Acquisition establishes integrated mass production system and enables 100-ton class production equipment development. VP: 25 employees, Tokyo-based.
• Kanematsu CorporationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor shareholder providing distribution and market access capabilities for CNT products in Japan and internationally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Showa Denko / Resonac: Japanese chemical major and one of the world's largest MWCNT producers. Directly comparable as a domestic Japanese competitor with established CNT manufacturing, similar end-market focus on batteries and composites, and much larger scale — the primary competitive benchmark for Carbon Fly in Japan.
• OCSiAl: Global leader in single-wall and few-wall CNT production with the TUBALL brand. The dominant global CNT supplier serving similar end markets (EV batteries, elastomers, composites) and the most direct competitor in terms of industrial-scale CNT manufacturing technology.
• Arkema: French specialty chemicals company producing CNTs under the Graphistrength brand. Comparable as a multinational CNT producer serving composites, batteries, and electronics — a key European competitor overlapping with Carbon Fly's JEC World and EU expansion strategy.
• LG Chem: Major Korean chemical company and one of the largest CNT producers globally, with significant focus on lithium-ion battery conductive additives. Directly comparable in the EV battery vertical where Denka partnership positions Carbon Fly.
• Jiangsu Cnano Technology: China's largest MWCNT producer with multi-thousand-ton capacity serving battery and composite markets. Comparable as a high-volume, low-cost CNT manufacturer competing on industrial scale and price.
• Nanocyl: Belgian MWCNT specialist serving composites, energy storage, and specialty applications. Comparable as a focused CNT pure-play competing in similar European and global industrial material markets.
• Hyperion Catalysis International: Pioneer in CNT commercialization with decades of experience in MWCNT and SWCNT production. Comparable as an established CNT specialist competing in similar plastics, electronics, and energy applications.

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Corporation: Global specialty carbons and performance materials company producing carbon black, battery materials, and specialty carbons. Comparable as a larger, diversified carbon materials incumbent with overlapping battery and composites adjacencies but broader product portfolio than Carbon Fly's focused CNT approach.
• Toray Industries: Japanese carbon fiber and composites leader and a natural downstream partner/competitor for CNT-enhanced prepregs in aerospace. Comparable in the advanced composites market served by Carbon Fly's CyFT product, though at much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Chasm Advanced Materials: US-based CNT and advanced materials company focused on CNT inks, coatings, and hybrid materials. Comparable as an emerging CNT innovator competing in functional materials applications with overlapping end-use cases in printed electronics and composites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Carbon Fly