LG Chem, the world’s largest lithium-ion battery maker, has obtained a patent for its safety-reinforced separator (SRS) in Europe and Japan. The company already has patents for the technology in South Korea, the US and China.

The separator is an important component of lithium-ion polymer batteries, separating the negative and positive poles to prevent internal short circuits. LG Chem’s SRS uses nanoscale ceramic particles, which the company says gives it high thermal stability and excellent hardness, compared to conventional polyolefin separators. According to LG Chem, its SRS technology is a key reason that carmakers such as GM, Ford, Volvo, Hyundai and Kia as well as power company ABB have chosen LG Chem as their battery supplier.

As reported by Yonhap News, LG Chem introduced its SRS in 2006. Its next generation of SRS technology reduced the required coating thickness by 20%.

In 2012, LG Chem lost a lawsuit with SK Innovation concerning patents for battery separators.

Source: Yonhap News, Green Car Congress