Wacker has started to commercialize silicon anode material, a core material for electric vehicle batteries. The Norwegian silicon raw material plant will produce finished silicon anode materials.
According to the industry on the 11th, Wacker is conducting performance tests on silicon anode materials with domestic battery manufacturers.
Anode materials are key materials for lithium-ion batteries along withcathode materials, separators, and electrolytes. Graphite anode materials were usually used as anode materials that could increase battery performance. However, the battery energy capacity is increased even a small amount of silicon is used compared to graphite anode materials. Thus, the demand for silicon anode materials is expected to rise in the electric vehicle market.
Wacker's silicon anode material has reduced silicon particles to a nano size. Silicon anode material particles were uniformly produced in nano scale size to increase energy capacity and solve volume expansion problems. Silicon particles contract and expand, but Wackerimproved the problem by reducing the particle size.
The detailed silicon content of Wacker has not been revealed. According to the industry, Wacker used more than 5% of silicon in itsanode material.Wacker plans to commercialize silicon anode materials for electric vehicles based on the silicon applied technology that was used in products such as displays.
Wacker also secured raw materials for silicon anode. It receives silicon raw materials from mines in Norway and processes it domestically. It is expected that the supply and demand of silicon raw materials will be operated smoothly.
An official from Wacker Central Research Institute said, “We are discussing with cell manufacturers to promote the silicon anode material business. And we are continue to improveon securing of raw materials for silicon anode materials and developing related technologies.” Wacker plans to establish a new production base once the silicon anode material test is completed.
Competition in the silicon anode material market is fierce. Daejoo Electronic Materials has commercialized silicon anode materials for electric vehicle batteries for the first time in the world, while POSCO Chemical, SK Materials, and SKC continue to commercialize silicon anode materials.
By Staff Reporter Ji-woong Kim (jw0316@etnews.com)