Cologne – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has developed new
high-quality iron oxides for use in lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
batteries and received the prestigious ICIS Innovation Award 2024. The
award in the category “Best Product Innovation from a Large Company”
recognizes LANXESS’ outstanding contribution to the development of
value chains for LFP in the Western regions.
LFP batteries are a safe and cost-effective type of battery with high
cycle and thermal stability. They are mainly used for electric cars and
stationary energy storage systems. LANXESS offers high-quality iron
oxide battery grades under the brand name Bayoxide, which serve as
customized raw materials for the synthesis of the cathode material LFP.
These products are specifically tailored to the requirements of LFP
manufacturers and enable high battery quality, performance and
efficiency.
“This award confirms our innovative strength in the field of
sustainable battery technology. With our Bayoxide battery grades, we are
making a significant contribution to the electrification of mobility and
the energy transition,” says Michael Ertl, head of the LANXESS
Inorganic Pigments business unit. “Our goal is to offer our customers
in Europe and North America a competitive and environmentally friendly
alternative to the dominant Asian supply chains for LFP.”
Further precursor for LFP batteries
LANXESS also plans to offer iron phosphate as a precursor for LFP.
Currently, there is not sufficient capacity in Europe for iron phosphate
that can be used for the production of LFP. The company is currently
examining the possibility of installing its own production capacities in
the existing plant setup. LANXESS can draw on proven facilities at its
German site, making it the only major producer in Europe and one of the
few worldwide.
A feasibility study has shown that the technology is ready for
large-scale production and offers an economical and sustainable
alternative to the LFP production process currently used in China. The
Chinese process is based on the use of iron sulfate and produces
wastewater with a high salt content.
The LANXESS process, on the other hand, extracts the iron phosphate
directly from iron and phosphoric acid. As a result, neither
climate-damaging emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides nor wastewater
with high salt loads are generated.
LFP: cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Automotive batteries with LFP cathodes are on the rise worldwide.
Vehicle manufacturers are equipping more and more of their high-volume
models with them. Compared to lithium-ion technology with cathodes based
on nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC) or nickel, cobalt and aluminum
(NCA), LFP batteries are significantly more cost-effective in terms of
the raw materials used and production. There is no need to mine
expensive and rare heavy metals for their cells. This has a significant
impact on vehicle costs, as the cathode material accounts for over 60
percent of the cell cost. LFP battery technology is also characterized
by a high number of charging cycles and a long service life. At the same
time, the batteries are thermally more stable and safer.
With its products, chemical know-how and decades of experience, LANXESS
has all the prerequisites to play a leading role in the development of
Western LFP value chains. Unlike start-ups or smaller companies, the
company can utilize a chemical and logistical infrastructure that
enables it to produce raw materials for cathode materials on an
industrial scale with assured quality and very high sustainability
standards.
Presentation at the Battery Show North America
The products of the LANXESS Inorganic Pigments business unit will also
be presented at the Battery Show North America in October. More
information about the product portfolio is available at
https://lanxess.com/en/products-and-brands/brands/bayferrox/technical-applications.
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About the ICIS Innovation Awards
The ICIS Innovation Awards have been presented annually since 2004 by
ICIS Chemical Business magazine. They recognize companies that achieve
significant developments in the chemical industry in the areas of
products, processes and sustainability. The jury consists of independent
experts from science, industry and the media.
