Institute for 2D materials

What Institute for 2D materials does

Institute for 2D Materials (合同会社二次元材料研究所 / I2DM) is a Fukuoka-based Japanese LLC founded on April 1, 2021 by Kenji Kawahara (河原 憲治) to manufacture and supply high-quality two-dimensional materials—primarily single-layer graphene, with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) sheets in development. The company's core technology is CVD graphene synthesis using high-crystallinity copper thin films deposited on sapphire wafer substrates, producing wafer-scale (4-inch and 2-inch) single-layer graphene with 90%+ monolayer coverage and Raman G/D intensity ratios of 5 or higher—a specification protected by Japan Patent 5641484 and US Patent 8697230, both derived from research at Kyushu University's Ago Laboratory under scientific adviser Professor Hiroki Ago.

Its commercial offering is centered on single-layer graphene wafers (4-inch, 2-inch) and substrates (10mm, 5mm square), complemented by a commissioned graphene transfer service using a PMMA protection-based method that includes chemical etching, electrochemical delamination, washing, and thermal baking attachment. Forward-looking products in development include CVD double-layer graphene, single-layer and multi-layer h-BN sheets, and TMDC sheets (MoS2, WS2), with multi-layer h-BN commercialization actively funded by the FY2025 Growth-type SME R&D Support Program (Go-Tech). The company sells exclusively through direct B2B channels—website inquiry forms and email—with no public pricing and no third-party distribution (the former Kyushu University TLO trial-sales channel ended in FY2023).

Revenue is generated from hardware sales of 2D materials and professional services (transfer processing and contract R&D support). The company is funded entirely by Japanese government grants—NEDO's Leading Research Program (FY2021-2022) for innovative tape-based 2D material transfer, developed jointly with Kyushu University and Nitto Denko Corporation, and the FY2025 Go-Tech program for multi-layer h-BN commercialization—with ¥5,000,000 of initial registered capital and no evidence of venture capital or institutional private investment. Customer segments are research institutions/academia and electronics/semiconductor manufacturers in Japan, primarily engaged in 2D materials research, graphene device fabrication, and next-generation semiconductor development.

Name

Institute for 2D materials

Legal name

合同会社二次元材料研究所

Website

https://2jigen-zairyo.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Institute for 2D Materials (合同会社二次元材料研究所) is a Fukuoka-based Japanese LLC founded in 2021 that manufactures and supplies high-quality CVD single-layer graphene wafers and substrates, plus commissioned graphene transfer services, serving research institutions and electronics/semiconductor R&D buyers with Kyushu University-originated patented technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graphene and 2D Materials

NAICS

Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (335991)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUABAIAG

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

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/CO₂ Utilization & Carbon-to-Value (E-fuels, Chemicals, Building Materials)

SECONDARYHDAHAGAH

Thin-Film Deposition Materials (PVD/CVD/ALD Targets & Precursors)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Semiconductors & Electronic Components/Materials, Wafers & Specialty Chemicals

Keywords

• CVD graphene synthesis
• 2D material manufacturing
• Graphene transfer services
• Wafer-scale graphene
• Hexagonal boron nitride

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukuoka

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, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 2D Materials Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing, processing, and sales of 2D materials including single-layer graphene products (wafers, substrates). Direct sales through company inquiry form and email.
2. Graphene Transfer Service: Paid commissioned graphene transfer service where customers submit their materials for graphene transfer using PMMA protection method.
3. R&D Services: Contracted R&D services and R&D support services based on 2D materials, including new material development and process innovation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Institute for 2D Materials (I2DM) manufactures and sells high-quality, large-area single-layer graphene synthesized via CVD on copper film deposited on sapphire wafer substrates, available in 4-inch and 2-inch wafer sizes and 10mm/5mm square substrates. The company also offers a contracted graphene transfer service that uses PMMA protection methodology to transfer its single-layer graphene onto customer-supplied materials. In addition, I2DM conducts contracted R&D services on 2D materials and is developing future offerings including double-layer graphene, h-BN sheets, and TMDC materials.

Product overview

Institute for 2D Materials (I2DM) offers a portfolio centered on graphene and related 2D materials. The core product is Single Layer Graphene synthesized on copper film/sapphire wafer substrates in multiple sizes (4-inch, 2-inch wafers, 10mm and 5mm substrates). Supporting this is a contract Graphene Transfer Service that applies PMMA protection-based methodology to transfer graphene onto customer-supplied substrates. The company is also developing future 2D material products including double-layer graphene (CVD), single-layer and multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheets, and transition metal dichalcogenides (MoS2, WS2). Multi-layer h-BN commercialization is currently being advanced through the Go-Tech 2025 government research program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single Layer Graphene
• Graphene Transfer Service (Contract Service)

Quantifiable outcome

• Single-layer graphene coverage of 90% or more
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nitto Denko Corporation (日東電工株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-research partner in NEDO project on high-function tape for 2D material transfer. Contributed to development of innovative adhesive tape technology for graphene transfer.
• Fukuoka Foundation for Industrial Science and Technology (公益財団法人福岡県産業・科学技術振興財団)minorOthers · 1 January 2025Management organization for Go-Tech program in which the company was selected. Provides administrative support for the R&D project.
• Osaka University Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (国立大学法人大阪大学 産業科学研究所)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Professor Kazuhiko Matsumoto serves as advisor for Go-Tech project research and development activities.
• Kyushu University (九州大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-standing research partnership with Kyushu University, particularly with Professor Hiroki Ago's laboratory in the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences. Professor Ago serves as scientific advisor to the company. Technology transfer from university research to commercial products. The company was established based on university-originated technology.
• NEDO - New Energy and Industrial Technology Development OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Selected for NEDO Leading Research Program (FY2021-2022) as subcontractor for 'Development of Innovative Transfer Method for 2D Materials Using High-Function Tape' (委託先: Kyushu University, Nitto Denko; 再委託先: Company). Research results led to academic publication and press releases.
• 株式会社産学連携機構九州 (Kyushu University TLO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Former sales channel partner for graphene trial sales from 2019-2023 (through end of FY2023). Served as sales window while company was establishing manufacturing capabilities. Partnership ended with transition to direct company sales.
• SME Support Organizations (中小機構・九州本部)minorOthersOrganization consulted during Go-Tech program application and implementation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Institute for 2D materials