Lanxess enters battery electrolyte sector

LANXESS is taking its first step into the battery chemistry market through a deal to manufacture electrolyte formulations for Chinese manufacturer Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology.

Starting next year, the electrolyte formulations will be produced at a site in Leverkusen, Germany, through Lanxess’ subsidiary Saltigo. Tinci currently produces electrolytes at plants in China. The deal with Lanxess will give it a foothold to sell to battery cell manufacturers in Europe.

Anno Borkowsky, Member of the Board of Management at Lanxess said: “The upswing in e-mobility is accelerating. Numerous new plants for battery cell production are currently being built in Europe. This fast-growing market also offers great opportunities for Lanxess, especially in the field of battery chemistry. We already produce many raw materials for battery manufacturing. The cooperation with Tinci is another step in establishing ourselves in this market.”

Lanxess produces various chemicals and materials used to produce battery cells including hydrofluoric acid and phosphorous chemicals used in the production of the conductive salt lithium hexafluorophosphate. Lanxess is also working with Standard Lithium to develop a process to extract lithium from the tail brine byproduct generated by its existing bromine production operations.