SDK Develops New Grade of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles
22 April 2009
Rapid discharge characteristic of lithium-ion batteries using SCMG. Source: SDK. Click to enlarge. |
Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has developed a new grade of SCMG (shape-controlled micro graphite) to be used as anode material in large lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).
Since the material has been adopted for use in several models of EVs to be sold in Japan and overseas, SDK has decided to increase its SCMG production capacity at Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, from 1,000 tons a year at present to 3,000 tons a year in 2012. SDK is planning to generate ¥8 billion (US$82 million) in sales of carbon materials for lithium-ion batteries, including this product, in 2012.
SCMG. Click to enlarge. |
SCMG is produced by first processing raw material of carbon with SDK’s proprietary technology to optimize its shape as anode material, and heating it at high temperatures in a special graphitizing furnace. The use of SCMG improves load current characteristic and charge and discharge cycle life of lithium-ion batteries. The improvement in load current characteristic enables the use of heavy current while the improvement in cycle life ensures long-term use of batteries. SCMG has been adopted for use in various models of EVs that will be launched this year on the world market.
SDK has already started expanding its SCMG production capacity at Omachi, modifying the special graphitizing furnace and adding new powder processing units for completion by the end of this year. SDK will establish a competitive production setup through efficient capital investment, fully utilizing its existing facilities at Omachi for the production of graphite electrodes.
While carefully watching the trends in demand for lithium-ion batteries for cars and determining the synergy, SDK will make further investments in graphite-anode-material production facilities, centering on the special graphitizing furnace. The total investment in the 2009-2012 period is expected to reach approximately ¥2 billion (US$20.4 million).
Besides SCMG, SDK has been producing and selling VGCF carbon nanotubes since 1996. When added in the electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, VGCF provides better electric conductivity. Demand for VGCF has been increasing due to the rise in the production volume of lithium-ion batteries. The demand increase is also due to the recent trends that VGCF, which was at first added in anodes only, is now added in cathodes as well. In 2007, SDK expanded its VGCF production capacity from 40 tons a year to 100 tons a year.
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