Evonik opens a global lithium-ion battery center in its Shanghai Innovation Park

• The company’s first global lithium-ion battery center starts operation
• Aims to enhance service and develop tailor-made solutions for the fast-developing battery industry
• Innovative solutions focus on cathode, anode and separator materials and electrode preparation technologies etc.

Shanghai, China. Evonik announces the opening of a new global lithium-ion battery center in its Shanghai Innovation Park. As the first global facility for lithium-ion battery industry, the center will develop innovative materials for batteries with a higher energy density, safer performance and longer life. 

The electric vehicle (EV) market has seen significant growth around the world, especially in China. The shift from traditional petrol-powered combustion engines to hybrid and full EVs has placed the lithium-ion battery at the heart of modern e-mobility solutions.

“China’s targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 drives the EV market to new heights and accelerates the innovation in battery industry. Over 90% of the lithium-ion battery producers are in Asia and most of the leading players are from China,” said Fuliang Xia, President of Evonik Greater China, “Evonik wants to be fully prepared to support this growth by developing high-performance solutions in our new lithium-ion battery center.”

The new Shanghai lithium-ion battery center will be part of Evonik’s global R&D network. It will combine the expertise across the businesses on innovations for cathode, anode and separator materials and electrode preparation technologies. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including material preparation, coin- and pouch-cell pilot lines and battery test equipment, where Evonik experts are able to conduct the research and development work on next-generation battery materials, cells and technologies. In addition, the center aims to run joint development program with local customers and explore the market potential through venture capital investments.

“We not only conduct research on the battery materials, but also support our customers in prototyping batteries. We are able to jointly design test batteries with our customers, which allows us to test our materials under conditions close to our customers’ specific needs and therefore speed up the whole innovation process,” said Dr. Kai Huang, head of the lithium-ion battery center, “We will also benefit from the cross unit expertise within the company on researching the product solutions for battery manufacturers.”

Evonik offers a board arrange of products for lithium-ion battery to improve function and performance. For electrodes, Evonik offers solutions for stable slurry preparation, thick layer electrode, high-speed coating process and low-cost manufacture techniques. For cathode, anode and separator materials, Evonik provides important components and process enablers contributing to yield better electrical performance, improve energy density and boost battery storage capacity.

The new facility with the expansion already planned is located in Evonik Shanghai Innovation Park. Over the years, Evonik strives to strengthen innovation capacities to address the regional megatrends and local needs. With several new research projects in the pipeline, Evonik will develop innovations to contribute to a more eco-friendly and sustainable future.