Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. will increase the production capacity of Plant 1 at Chiba Complex, Ichihara City with 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 in Sodegaura with 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.

 

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.

 

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*3. Idemitsu is also engaged in joint development with materials manufacturers to develop new high-performance materials.

 

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.