By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : August 21, 2025 11:11 am
Kynar HSV 900 PVDF has demonstrated exceptional versatility, gaining widespread commercial adoption alongside a broad range of cathode active materials
Arkema has announced that a team of its scientists and engineers was recognized with the Heroes of Chemistry Award by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for their groundbreaking work on Kynar HSV 900 PVDF manufactured without the use of fluorosurfactant for battery applications. This recognition highlights Arkema’s long-standing commitment to innovation and sustainability in the e-mobility market.
Ramin Amin-Sanayei, Medhi Durali, Steve Erhardt, Carl Stewart, Barry Oakley, Lining (Michael) Zhu, and Sun Jia-Yue were recognized for their contributions to the development of the Kynar HSV 900 PVDF material, first introduced in 2005. To move away from fluorinated surfactants, the team pioneered the development of commercially PVDF binders produced without fluorosurfactant, while maintaining critical material properties required for high battery performance.
Kynar HSV 900 PVDF has demonstrated exceptional versatility, gaining widespread commercial adoption alongside a broad range of cathode active materials, especially lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and has since become a legacy market reference in the battery industry. To date, Kynar HSV 900 PVDF has already enabled the production of batteries powering over 10 million electric vehicles.
The development of advanced materials for efficient, long-lasting batteries for electric vehicles is essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change through the diminution of the carbon footprint of transportation. Kynar® HSV 900 plays a critical role in improving the performance, safety and longevity of lithium-ion batteries, key components in EV and energy systems.
The adoption underscores the critical role of Kynar HSV 900 has played in enabling the rise of LFP technology, an increasingly preferred solution for EV batteries due to its safety, cost-efficiency and long cycle life. In 2024, the rapid growth of LFP-powered electric vehicles continued, with over 850 GWh of batteries produced.
“We are honored by this recognition from the ACS, which reflects the dedication and expertise of our teams. This award reinforces our mission to deliver high-performance materials that support the transition to a cleaner energy,” David Silagy, Vice-Président R&D Polymères Haute Performance & Spécialités Fluorées.
To date, the awarded team has been granted 27 U.S. patents with claims related to PVDF synthesis and/or applications involving non-fluorinated surfactants.
The Heroes of Chemistry award, established by the ACS in 1996 and sponsored by the ACS Board Committee on Corporation Associates, honors teams of industrial chemical scientists whose work has led to successful commercialized products that benefit humankind.