Showa Denko to Increase VGCF^TM Production Capacity by 30%,Aiming to Extend Life of LIBs and Reduce CO₂ Emission

December 21, 2022
Showa Denko K.K.

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) (TOKYO: 4004) has decided to increase its production capacity for VGCF^TM (vapor grown carbon fiber), which is added to cathodes and anodes of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) to improve electrical conductivity. 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. VGCF^TM is an essential material for LIBs. As a result, the demand for VGCF^TM 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 VGCF^TM. SDK will start to operate the expanded VGCF^TM production facilities in October 2023. The expanded facilities, which are located in Kawasaki Plant, will have a capacity to produce 400 tons of VGCF^TM 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 VGCF^TM to cathodes and anodes of LIBs maintains movableness of lithium ion, thereby controlling deterioration of LIBs’ performance. Since VGCF^TM is a fibriform material with high dispersiveness, addition of small amount of VGCF^TM increases LIBs’ capacity and extends the life of LIBs. Furthermore, since VGCF^TM has high heat conductivity, it improves LIBs’ heat management by accelerating heat dissipation from electrodes. As a result of these advantages, application of VGCF^TM 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 VGCF^TM; aluminum laminate film “SPALF^TM”^※1; binder for anode “Polysol^TM”^※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.

• ※1 SPALF^TM is a laminate film consisting of resin layers and aluminum leaves, used as a packaging material for pouch-type LIBs. It has high insulation performance and excellent moldability.
• ※2 Binder for LIB functions as an adhesive that binds active materials for anodes and cathodes where lithium ion goes in and out, and current collectors. SDK’s Polysol^TM has high heat- and cold-resisting properties superior to styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which is a conventional binding material for LIBs.