Speciality chemicals firm Lanxess will begin producing electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries following a cooperation deal with China’s Tinci Materials Technology.
Under the authorisation of lithium-ion battery materials company Tinci, Lanxess will produce electrolyte from next year using a high-tech plant operated by its subsidiary Saltigo.
The German company’s electrolyte formulations will enable Tinci to become a supplier for battery cell manufacturers in Europe.
Tinci manufactures conductive salts and electrolytes, and operates three production sites for electrolyte formulations in China and has three additional sites under construction.
Lanxess produces hydrofluoric acid and phosphorous chemicals— both key raw materials for the production of the high-purity conductive salt lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6).
In the US, the firm is working on the commercial extraction of battery-grade lithium. The lithium is to be extracted from the brine used in bromine extraction at its site in Arkansas.
