Engineering the Carbon Future

Pioneering sustainable research in advanced carbon materials

Mesophase Pitch Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Needle Coke Synthetic Graphite Mesophase Pitch Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Needle Coke Synthetic Graphite Mesophase Pitch Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Needle Coke Synthetic Graphite Mesophase Pitch Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Needle Coke Synthetic Graphite
THE PROBLEM

Strategic Carbon Materials

At the frontier of technological advancement, carbon stands as the elemental powerhouse driving next-generation breakthroughs. Its remarkable versatility and unique properties are not just enhancing industries but also redefining them. From ultra-strong lightweight composites to quantum materials with tuneable electronic properties, advanced carbon forms like graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers and high purity synthetic graphite are unlocking possibilities once thought impossible.

We are only beginning to explore the true potential of carbon's transformative capabilities. As we enter a new technological era, carbon-derived materials are emerging as the foundation for innovation across energy, aerospace, electronics, healthcare, and beyond. Our research and technologies are at the forefront of this revolution, crafting solutions that are lighter, stronger, smarter, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.


Total Import Dependence

India is nearly 100% import-dependent for carbon fiber, mesophase pitch, and battery-grade synthetic graphite, and heavily reliant on imports for premium needle coke. Domestic capacity is either nonexistent or at early pilot stages.

Manufacturing

India's domestic production of these materials is at an inflection point. Carbon fiber has near zero commercial output while mesophase pitch and needle coke, has no large-scale domestic production. Needle coke is produced domestically by a few refineries, but capacity is insufficient to meet rising demand. Synthetic graphite is seeing the most aggressive push specially for battery anode production.

Import Price Premium

Imported carbon materials carry a significant price premium due to high processing costs, specialized quality requirements, and limited global suppliers. Materials such as carbon fiber and mesophase pitch are particularly expensive because of complex manufacturing processes, low global production and dual-use export restricitons.

Annual Consumption

India currently consumes around 5–6 thousand tonnes of carbon fiber annually, with demand steadily increasing. Needle coke demand reaches several hundred thousand tonnes per year, primarily driven by graphite electrode production for the steel sector. Whereas, mesophase pitch are used for making synthetic graphite and battery materials.

OUR SOLUTION

End-to-end development of
pitch-based Carbon Fiber and needle coke

Mesophase Pitch

At Nexmats, we have developed the coal tar drived mesophase pitch, which is a highly complex and IP-intensive process. Importantly, mesophase pitch is itself a high-value commercial material and a critical precursor for high performance carbon fiber, synthetic graphite and lithium-ion battery anodes, creating multiple market opportunities during the fiber development phase.

Needle Coke

Needle coke is a critical precursor for the production of high-performance graphite electrodes used for steel production and anode materials. NexMats is developing capabilities to produce high-quality needle coke from coal-tar-derived feedstocks.

Pitch to Fiber

NexMats is developing an integrated “Pitch-to-Fiber” technology platform, enabling the conversion of mesophase pitch into high-performance carbon fibers. We aim to reduce the dependence on imported high-strength, high-modulus carbon fiber for advanced engineering applications.

TECHNOLOGY CASE

Why pitch-based carbon fiber-
not PAN

Pitch-based carbon fiber offers a distinct set of properties that PAN-based fiber cannot match, making it the only viable material for certain space, defence, and thermal management applications.

Mesophase pitch based carbon fiber achieves elastic moduli and thermal conductivity significantly greater than the best PAN fiber, and a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion.


900 GPa

ELASTIC MODULUS

1,000 W/mK

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

0

THERMAL EXPANSION COEFFICIENT

Property PAN-Based CF (General) Pitch-Based CF (Mesophase)
Elastic Modulus 200–600 GPa 400–900 GPa ✓
Thermal Conductivity ~upto 1oo W/mK Up to 1,000 W/mK ✓
Thermal Expansion (CTE) Moderate Near-zero ✓
Electrical Conductivity Good Excellent ✓
Primary Applications Structural composites Satellites · Brakes · Thermal Management✓
INDUSTRY FOCUS

Market We Serve