Nippon Shokubai to Expand LiFSI Capacity at China JV -Strengthening Supply Capability to Meet Growing EV and ESS Demand-
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. (headquarters: Osaka, Japan, President & CEO: Kazuhiro Noda, hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”) announces that it will expand production facilities with an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons (“MT/Y”) for LiFSI (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, trade name: IONEL™), a lithium salt used as an electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries (“LIBs”), at Hunan Fluopont New Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Hunan Fluopont”), its joint venture in China.
This investment will further strengthen Nippon Shokubai’s global LiFSI supply capability in response to increasing demand not only from electric vehicle (“EV”) applications but also from energy storage systems (“ESS”), where demand has been expanding in recent years.
1.Background of the Investment
In China, the world’s largest LIBs market, demand for LiFSI is growing rapidly as performance requirements for EVs continue to increase, including longer battery life, faster charging, and improved output in low-temperature environments. At Hunan Fluopont, capacity has been expanded through debottlenecking efforts, reaching 1,200 MT/Y in FY2022 and 2,400 MT/Y at present.
In recent years, in addition to EV applications, demand for ESS applications is also expected to grow, making it necessary to further strengthen the supply structure in order to respond to future market growth. Accordingly, Nippon Shokubai will proceed with a phased expansion of production facilities to establish a stable supply structure for the growing EV and ESS markets and to capture the anticipated expansion of LiFSI demand.
Through this initiative, Nippon Shokubai aims to establish a supply capacity of 12,400 MT/Y by 2027, thereby meeting mid- to long-term demand growth while driving the sustainable growth of the LiFSI business and strengthening its competitiveness.
2.Overview of the Investment
| Production capacity | 10,000 MT/Y (Current capacity: 2,400 MT/Y; Total capacity after completion: 12,400 MT/Y) |
| Schedule | FY2026: 3,000 MT/Y commercial operation FY2027: 7,000 MT/Y commercial operation *As a result, the additional capacity of 10,000 MT/Y is scheduled to be ramped up in phases. |
| Location | Existing plant site of Hunan Fluopont |
| Financing plan | Hunan Fluopont’s own funds and borrowings (No additional capital contribution or other additional investment from Nippon Shokubai is expected.) |
3. Corporate Overview of Hunan Fluopont
| Location | Shigu District, Hengyang, Hunan, China |
| Business | Manufacturing and sales of LiFSI for LIBs |
| Capital | RMB 176.99 million (paid-in capital) |
| Shareholders | Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co., Ltd. ; 51.19% Nippon Shokubai ; 38.00% Toyota Tsusho (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ; 5.50% Changsha ShinLian Huayuan Alternative Energy Partnership Enterprise (shareholding association by executive employees of Hunan Fluopont) ; 5.31% |
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