June 19, 2023
Diverse Resources conservation and Resources
Decision made to increase supply capacity of solid electrolytes for next-generation batteries (all-solid lithium battery)
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shunichi Kito, hereinafter referred to as “Idemitsu”) will increase the production capacity of Plant 1*¹ (launch: November 2021), small pilot facilities for solid electrolytes (planned completion: within fiscal 2024), in order to expand the use of all-solid-state lithium-ion rechargeable batteries ("all-solid-state batteries"). In addition, Plant 2*², small pilot facilities, will start operation in July this year. We will steadily supply our solid electrolytes to car/battery manufacturers and others who are developing all solid-state batteries.
Appearance of Plant 1 scheduled for increasing the capacity
Appearance of Plant 1 scheduled for increasing the capacity
Appearance of Plant 1 scheduled for increasing the capacity
All-solid-state batteries are expected to be put to practical use and their expansion, mainly as a technology to meet the performance needs of electric vehicles (EVs), such as longer cruising range, shorter recharging time, and improved safety. Car/battery manufacturers, etc., are accelerating development, which in turn is driving material needs even higher.
We will contribute to the spread and expansion of all solid-state batteries by improving the performance of solid electrolytes, which are indispensable for the practical application of all solid-state batteries and EVs powered by them, and by accelerating the development of mass production technologies to meet the needs of car/battery manufacturers.
■Idemitsu’s initiatives to commercialize solid electrolytes
By utilizing samples produced at the small pilot facilities (Plants 1 and 2), Idemitsu will quickly create appropriate material specifications through promoting development while gaining an understanding of the needs of entities such as car/battery manufacturers. The plan is to apply validation at the small pilot facilities as a foothold to establish mass production technology at the large pilot facilities, which is the next stage, and then to go on to commercialize the technology. Idemitsu is also engaged in joint development with materials manufacturers to develop new high-performance materials.
■Overview of initiatives (excerpt from Idemitsu’s medium-term business plan materials)
In order to strengthen communication with car/battery manufacturers and materials manufacturers, not only in Japan but also on a global scale, Idemitsu Kosan will utilize the following bases as points of contact and connection for the commercialization of its products.
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Idemitsu Research and Business Development Europe AG (Basel, Switzerland)
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Idemitsu Advanced Materials Korea Co., Ltd. (Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea)
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Idemitsu Americas Holdings Corporation（San Jose, California, U.S.A.）
当社は2050年カーボンニュートラル社会の実現に向け、2030年ビジョン「責任ある変革者」、2050年ビジョン「変革をカタチに」を掲げています。昨年11月に発表した中期経営計画（対象年度：2023～2025年度） では、下記「3つの事業領域」の社会実装を通して「人々の暮らしを支える責任」と「未来の地球環境を守る責任」を果たすことを表明しました。
3 Business Domains towards Evolution of the Business Portfolio
This initiative will contribute to the expansion of the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and storage batteries, which is positioned as an effort toward "Energy one step ahead", "Diverse resource conservation /circulation solutions" in the above three business domains.
The Idemitsu Group will continue to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral and recycling-oriented society by providing carbon neutral solutions for industrial activities and general consumers through the power of technology.
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Location of Plant 1: Within the Company's Chiba Complex of Idemitsu Kosan (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture)
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Location of Plant 2: Within the Lithium Battery Material Department of Idemitsu Kosan (Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)
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The project has been adopted as one of the "Green Innovation Fund Projects / Next-generation Storage Battery and Motor Development" by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). (Target period: Scheduled for the six years from FY2022 to FY2027)
【Location】
2021年11月5日付
次世代電池向け固体電解質の商業生産に向けた実証設備の稼働開始
https://www.idemitsu.com/jp/news/2021/211105_2.html
2022年4月19日付
「硫化物系固体電解質の量産技術開発」がNEDOグリーンイノベーション基金に採択
https://www.idemitsu.com/jp/news/2022/220419_1.html
2022年6月23日付
Umicore社と全固体電池向け高性能材料を共同開発
https://www.idemitsu.com/jp/news/2022/220623_2.html
Regarding news release
contact information
Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. Public Relations Department, Public Relations Division