Arkema, a global chemical company, and SCE France, a subsidiary of Canadian electricity producer Hydro-Québec, plan to create a joint laboratory that will focus on developing a new generation of materials for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, in particular new electrolytes (solvents, lithium salts) and conduction agents (carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers).

Arkema’s Kynar polyvinylidene fluoride resins are currently used in lithium-ion batteries. These polymers can be used as a microporous separator or as a cathode binder.

Hydro-Québec, which invests some $100 million in research per year, formed SCE France in February to develop new battery technologies, including lithium-iron-phosphate-based batteries.

“It is in line with Arkema’s strategy to offer ultra-high-performance materials dedicated to the renewable energies and electric vehicle sectors. Our top objective is to speed up the placing on the market of new lithium salts, which have already proven their efficiency in improving the safety and power of Li-ion batteries” said Arkema R&D VP Christian Collette.

Source: Arkema via Green Car Congress