Canatu Launches Carbon Age Program

Canatu Plc has received a positive funding decision from Business Finland granting it a maximum of €10 million in funding to launch its Carbon Age program as part of Business Finland’s challenge competition for leading companies.

The semiconductor industry is in urgent need of new alternatives as traditional materials approach their limits. To address this, Canatu has launched a Carbon Age program, which aims to drive the development of semiconductor technologies enabled by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and build a dedicated industry ecosystem.

In addition to Canatu’s share of the funding amounting to a maximum of €10 million in grants allocated over five years, Business Finland is committed to funding future projects of the Carbon Age ecosystem partners with up to €20 million. The payment of the funding granted to Canatu is tied to the goals of the program.

The five-year program, with more than 40 targeted partners, will create an ecosystem, offering opportunities for expertise sharing, value capture, and market-driven innovation. Beyond technological advancements, the program aims to contribute to creating new jobs and boosting revenue for Finland’s technology ecosystem.

With plans to build a pilot fab as well, the initiative aims to position Finland as a global leader in semiconductor technologies built on carbon nanotubes.

“We are excited to innovate with nano carbon to accelerate the arrival of the Carbon Age and establish a ‘Nano Valley’ in Finland. By building a world-class ecosystem, we drive innovation, collaboration, and new business opportunities, boosting long-term global competitiveness for us and our partners,” said Juha Kokkonen, CEO at Canatu.

The program aims to standardize carbon nanotube structures, as well as the design and manufacturing guidelines, to establish consistent methods for integrating and converting them into components, devices, and advanced applications with enhanced functionalities.

Nanocarbon materials present a strong alternative to traditional materials like silicon, thanks to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties, unlocking new possibilities for cutting-edge technologies. From faster transistors to quantum computing and biosensors, carbon nanotubes offer a breakthrough – paving the way for more efficient and scalable semiconductor components.

“This program will not only lay a solid foundation for Finland’s role in nanocarbon era but also create entirely new device categories and functionalities. With the initiative, Canatu is pioneering a new generation of semiconductors based on carbon that will drive performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability beyond what’s possible today,” says Ilkka Varjos, CTO at Canatu.