The North American lithium-ion battery supply chain has been expanded by localizing the production of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6).
BOSTON, February 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business Koura today announced that it has signed a technology license agreement with Canto Denka Kogyo for lithium hexafluorophoshate (LiPF6), a critical material in lithium-ion batteries. The agreement gives Koura access to Kanto Denka Kogyo’s world-class technology and industry expertise in commercial LiPF6 production.
Currently, there is no large-scale production of LiPF6 in North America. With the significant development of the electric vehicle market in the US, the demand for lithium-ion batteries and materials is increasing. Orbia works to make sure in North America supply of key battery materials and recently announced the first US manufacturing plant for LiPF6 in St. Gabriel, Louisianapartially funded by a $100 million US Department of Energy Award.
“Kanto Denka Kogyo is recognized by major battery producers for its reliable and high-quality LiPF6 technology. We are excited to bring this production know-how to Koura, as they are best suited to build and operate in a LiPF6 plant at North America with their vertically-integrated fluorspar and fluorine value chain. Customers now have access to the known performance of LiPF6 at North America,” said Junichi HasegawaKanto President Denka Kogyo.
“As one of the pioneers and a recognized leader in high-quality LiPF6 production, Kanto Denka Kogyo is the ideal partner for Koura to advance our energy strategy and is ready to meet the growing demand for a domestic supply of LiPF6,” said. Gregg Smith, President of Orbia Fluorinated Solutions (Koura). “Access to a proven technology with our license from Kanto Denka Kogyo along with support from the US Department of Energy ensures that we are ready to meet customer needs as lithium battery plants -ion was built and the market grew.”
As the operator of the world’s largest fluorspar mine, Koura works with industry partners and researchers to convert the material into a wide range of advanced battery materials, including electrolyte salts, binders and high-performance electrolyte additives for lithium-ion batteries. Koura’s unique ‘mine-to-market’ vertically integrated position, expertise in fluorine technology and investment in recycled and alternative sources of Lithium enable the business to address the current challenge in the domestic supply chain for lithium-ion. batteries.
About Orbia
Orbia is a company driven by a shared purpose: to improve lives around the world. Orbia operates in Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building and Infrastructure (Wavin), Precision Agriculture (Netafim), Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) and Fluorinated Solutions (Koura) sectors. Orbia’s five business groups have a collective focus on expanding access to health and wellness, reinventing the future of cities and homes, ensuring food and water security, connecting communities to information and facilitate a circular economy with basic and advanced materials, specialized products and new solutions. Orbia has a global team of more than 23,000 employees, commercial activities in more than 110 countries and operations in more than 50, with global headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. The company was created $8.8 billion in revenue by 2021. To learn more, visit: orbia.com.
About Orbia Fluorinated Solutions (Koura)
Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business Koura is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of fluoroproducts that play a fundamental role in improving everyday life and shortening the path to a sustainable, circular economy. Backed by over 35 years of experience, Koura’s products are used in many applications including electric vehicles and energy storage, urban and rural infrastructure, indoor climate management, food refrigeration and medicine. and even treating respiratory conditions by developing healthy and innovative low-GWP propellants for metered-dose inhalers. Koura has 1,600 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving 60 countries through a global sales and distribution network.
About Kanto Denka Kogyo
Since its establishment in 1938, Kanto Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. has established specialized technologies and knowledge in electrolysis and other fields as well as more than 50 years of experience in the production of fluorochemicals. Kanto Denka Kogyo fluorochemical products are essential for the production of semiconductors and flat panel displays and their quality is held in extremely high esteem in the market. Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), a high-purity electrolyte for lithium-ion secondary batteries that Kanto Denka Kogyo started manufacturing in 1997, has been supplied to many customers around the world. Kanto Denka Kogyo is the only company of Japan to mass-produce this product. Kanto Denka Kogyo will continue to strive to be a creative company driven by progress, developing unique, highly competitive products that value the world’s most advanced technology and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Media Contact, Orbia
Kacy Karlen
Chief Communications Officer, Orbia
[email protected]
865.410.3001
Media Contact, Koura
Valeria Barragan Villanueva
Director, PM Chemicals and Strategic Marketing, Koura
[email protected]
+44 7873 626557
Media Contact, Kanto Denka Kogyo
Legal & General Affairs Dept.
[email protected]
SOURCE Koura, an Orbia business
