An all-solid-state battery industry? Although it is too early to talk about it, the picture of the forces involved is emerging. For the cathode and anode, the value chain is hardly different from that for current lithium-ion batteries. But the electrolyte is a game changer. This technology, thanks to its great added value, is first and foremost an opportunity for chemists to establish themselves in the sector.
Currently a supplier of binders and additives for lithium-ion batteries, Syensqo – born at the end of 2023 from the split from Solvay – hopes to withdraw some 500 million euros from this segment, out of a turnover of 6.8 billion in 2023. But with solid electrolytes, “we are talking about the possibility of achieving several billion euros in turnover per year, which will allow the group to change scale”, confided its research director, Pascal Métivier, in April.
Via the European Battery Alliance, the Belgian company sends its solid electrolyte powders for tests to several partners, including the French manufacturers ACC and Saft. Banking on sulphides, she is keen to make her ambitions known. It inaugurated a pilot plant on its La Rochelle site (Charente-Maritime), capable of producing sulphide electrolyte powders on a ton scale, “what is unique in Europe”, argues Syensqo. But the place remains closed to the press.
Strategic partnerships
Faced with Syensqo, the other chemical giant, Arkema, also a supplier of binders and additives for lithium-ion batteries, is playing discretion. He only writes work “with the major players in the battery market to support the industrialization and marketing of semi-solid and all-solid batteries by 2028-2030”, citing the Taiwanese ProLogium. Enough to suggest that he studies ceramic electrolytes.
In addition to these historical players, there are new ones, from polymers. Like PolymerExpert, a Gironde SME chosen by Saft to work with it on the Elias research project, launched in January 2024 with two CNRS laboratories. Or from Specific Polymers, a company located in Castries, near Montpellier (Hérault). “We are targeting 25% annual growth thanks to the solid-state battery business,” launches its founder and boss, Cédric Loubat. The SME (30 employees, 4 million euros in turnover) has just raised debt to build a new building and double its workforce. She says she is working on all-solid-state with several battery specialists, without mentioning any names. Blue Solutions is probably among its partners. Here, everyone advances their pawns to find their place.
You are reading an article from L’Usine Nouvelle 3737 – December 2024
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