Showa Denko K.K. decided to increase its production capacity for VGCFTM (vapor grown carbon fiber), which is added to cathodes and anodes of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) to improve electrical conductivity, said the company.
In the LIB market, where the demand for the product is rapidly increasing, especially the demand for LIBs to be used in xEVs (electric vehicles including hybrid vehicles) is growing very rapidly. VGCFTM is an essential material for LIBs. As a result, the demand for VGCFTM is rapidly growing especially among LIB manufacturers who provide European car manufacturers with LIBs. Aiming to respond to such a rapidly growing demand, SDK has decided to increase its capacity to produce VGCFTM. SDK will start to operate the expanded VGCFTM production facilities in October 2023. The expanded facilities, which are located in Kawasaki Plant, will have a capacity to produce 400 tons of VGCFTM per year, which is 33% more than the current capacity of 300 tons per year.
Repetition of charging and discharging gradually makes it difficult for lithium ion to move about, and causes deterioration of LIBs’ performance including a decrease in changing capacity. However, application of fibriform VGCFTM to cathodes and anodes of LIBs maintains movableness of lithium ion, thereby controlling deterioration of LIBs’ performance. Since VGCFTM is a fibriform material with high dispersiveness, addition of small amount of VGCFTM increases LIBs’ capacity and extends the life of LIBs. Furthermore, since VGCFTM has high heat conductivity, it improves LIBs’ heat management by accelerating heat dissipation from electrodes. As a result of these advantages, application of VGCFTM extends LIBs’ life, and is expected to contribute to reduction of CO2 emission throughout the life cycle of LIBs.
The Showa Denko Group produces various materials for LIBs including VGCFTM; aluminum laminate film “SPALFTM 1; binder for anode PolysolTM 2; and anode materials. The Group will continue contributing to sustainable development of global society through provision of products that help energy conservation and reduction of environmental burden.
We remind, Showa Denko K.K. decided to license its technology to produce vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) to Asian Paints Limited, a leading paint and decor company in India , under a formal alliance agreement between SDK and KBR, a global engineering and technology solutions company based in the U.S.. In addition, SDK will provide Asian Paints with catalysts to be used for the company’s VAM production.
mrchub.com