Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) today announced its intent to increase the production capacity* of formulated electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at its Yokkaichi Plant from the current 11,000 tons per annum to 16,000 tons per annum.
In Japan and overseas, the market of electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles has been expanding rapidly. Approximately 25% of all passenger vehicle sales in Japan are already electrified, and in the near future, the vehicles with electric powertrain are expected to grow steadily.
MCC’s formulated electrolyte maintains high output even in a low-temperature environment and superior durability and safety by controlling side reactions on the surface of electrodes with the advanced additive technology. As a result, MCC’s formulated electrolyte has been widely used for the automotive LIB applications in Japan, the United States, Europe, and other markets.
To meet the increasing demand, MCC will increase its capacity by 5,000 tons per annum by debottle-necking of the manufacturing process, the efficient product shipping and transportation system, and digitalizing the product inspection process. These investments will also promote safety operations and efficient quality management systems.
MCC continually strives to reinforce its production and sales structure on a global scale, as a leading company of the formulated electrolyte for automotive LIB applications.
* Capacity excluding electrolyte for lithium primary batteries and capacitors.