Petrochemical firm Hanwha Total has increased its annual plastic production capacity to meet demand for separators from lithium-ion and lead-acid battery makers.
The South Korean headquartered company— a joint venture between French fossil fuel giant Total and Korean company Hanwha General Chemicals— will increase production to 140,000 metric tons as demand has spiked for plastic.
The expansion, which cost 40 billion won ($37 million), will allow the company to up production of its ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) at its plant in Daesan, South Chungcheong Province, Korea.
UHMW-PE is characterised by high molecular density and long molecular chains that create greater tensile strength, which makes it a suitable raw material for separators in lithium-ion batteries.
Demand for UHMW-PE has increased as battery makers look for thinner but stronger separators.
The thinner the separators, the thicker the cathodes and anodes can become, increasing the energy capacity of batteries, which translates to a greater driving range for EVs.
Microporous UHMW-PE separators have also gained popularity in the lead-acid battery industry, particularly in SLI automotive applications.
