After concluding its research work on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) is divesting itself of fundamental intellectual property in this field. FutureCarbon, based in Bayreuth, Germany, will acquire, as leading provider of carbon-based composites, the bulk of the corresponding patents from the past ten years. The two parties have now signed an agreement to this effect. The financial details of the transfer will not be disclosed.

"We are pleased that FutureCarbon, one of the partners from the Inno.CNT development network, will be carrying on our company’s work," said Patrick Thomas, CEO of BMS. "We remain confident that the technology harbors tremendous potential, particularly for a renowned specialist company like FutureCarbon."

FutureCarbon is a provider of novel, carbon-based composites. As a specialist in the manufacture and in particular the refinement of various carbon materials, FutureCarbon enables a broad range of strategic industries, to easily utilise the extraordinary properties of carbon materials in their products.

"We enjoy a long-standing development partnership with Bayer. We are happy that we were able to acquire the Bayer patents for further market realisation of the technology. They expand our applications base substantially and open up new possibilities and business segments for us," said Dr. Walter Schütz, Managing Director of the Bayreuth company.

Researchers from BMS had conducted substantial R&D in the field of CNTs in collaboration with external partners in recent years. This included complex issues relating to safe production and methods for scaling up the production processes. Next-generation catalysts and new product grades were also developed.

Much of the knowledge gleaned over recent years was made available to other companies and research institutions within the Innovation Alliance for Carbon Nanotubes (Inno.CNT), which counts BMS among its roughly 90 members.

After BMS announced the conclusion of its CNT projects in May 2013, various companies indicated their interest in making concrete use of intellectual property developed before the decision was made for FutureCarbon as ideal partner for taking over the accomplished knowledge.