PRESS RELEASE2023.10.12
CARBON FLY and Japan U-pica collaborating
in the development of space materials
-Space Material Development Project being about to start-
CARBON FLY Inc. (Based in Koto City, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as “CARBON FLY”), a startup aiming for social implementation of carbon nanotubes (hereinafter referred to as “CNTs”), and Japan U-pica.co.ltd (Based in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL Group, hereinafter referred to as “Japan U-pica”) have agreed to jointly develop lightweight and highly durable CNT composite materials for small satellites for the space business that will continue to expand.
According to a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Japan summary, the number of satellites launched worldwide increased approximately 14-fold during the 10-year period from 2011 to 2021. *1
Number of Satellite Launches in the World*2
In addition, according to the National Aerospace Exploration Agency, the cumulative satellite manufacturing and launch market size for the period 2019-2029 is projected to be $478 billion (approximately 48 trillion yen). In recent years, the overall market size for commercial satellite launches has been on a growth trend, particularly for low earth orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) transportation, as represented by communications and Earth observation satellite constellations. *3
Along with the expansion of the market size, demand is increasing for lighter and stronger materials to reduce launch costs and enhance the functions to be carried in the future.
CARBON FLY announces the completion of a 5-ton class mass production machine [Caltema®] that produces high performance carbon nanotubes with excellent properties using our proprietary manufacturing know-how. This Caltema® will enable us to supply our CNTs to various industrial fields. We aim to maximize the “light weight,” “high strength,” and “high toughness” of CNTs for use as space materials.
Japan U-pica is a resin-based material manufacturer that has been in business for over 50 years. We are particularly well versed in carbon materials, and have commercialized [CBZ], a resin for CFRP that features faster curing, higher strength, and storage at room temperature compared to conventional thermosetting resins. We are aiming to newly enter the space material field with our material development technology cultivated over many years.
With this development cooperation agreement, we will promote the development of materials that will be utilized in the space business in the future by combining the products and technologies of both companies.
*1,2…”Industry Trends in Space Development”, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan
https://www.meti.go.jp/statistics/toppage/report/minikaisetsu/hitokoto_kako/20220722hitokoto.html
The numbers in the graph are from UNITED NATIONS Office for Outer Space Affairs
*3…Space Utilization Market Needs/Scale 2030s-2040s, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
https://www.mext.go.jp/kaigisiryo/content/20210118-mxt_uchukai01-000012441_5.pdf
About Japan U-pica.co.ltd
Since our foundation in October 1977, U-Pica has consistently conducted business under the Corporate Philosophy that “As a manufacturer of materials, we contribute to make society more affluent through the supply of unique materials.” and we have always believed that our most important asset is our technology.
U-Pica manufactures and sells plastics like unsaturated polyester resins and epoxy acrylate resins, as well as sheet molding compounds (SMC) and various methacrylic esters and coating resins. And to meet the needs of the times, we have developed and expanded our line of eco-friendly products like BIOMUP® .
We have gained a strong reputation in a wide range of areas, including materials for advanced technical fields like electronics and high-function composite materials, as well as flame-resistant resins, highly corrosion-resistant resins, and resins that cure under ultraviolet light or electronic beams.
<Company Profile>
Company Name: Japan U-pica.co.ltd
Address: Madre Matsuda Bldg., 4-13, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Representative: Hiroyuki Otsuka (Representative Director and President)
URL: https://www.u-pica.co.jp/en/
Incorporation: October 1, 1977
About CARBON FLY, Inc.
CARBON FLY was founded in January 2022 in Tokyo, Japan, by a materials scientist. It’s a startup whose main target is the development and mass production of ultra-high quality CNTs. CARBON FLY has succeeded in developing a technology to control and mass-produce high-quality CNTs, a longstanding issue in the CNT industry. CARBON FLY’s CNTs can be formed into powder, fiber and film. It can be applied not only to conductive paste for lithium-ion batteries but also to aerospace, mobility, energy and many other fields.
<Company Profile>
Company Name: CARBON FLY, Inc.
Address: Madre Matsuda Bldg., 4-13, Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Representative: Fei Deng (President)
URL: https://carbonfly.co.jp/en/
Incorporation: January 31, 2022
【Contact】
Madoka Hashimoto, Communication Planning Office, CARBON FLY, Inc.
Tel: +81-3-3599-5257