Strengthening the Supply Chain for Formulated Electrolytes for Lithium-ion Batteries in North America
—The MCG Group starts considering collaboration with a key battery material supplier in the U.S.—
May 16, 2023
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (the MCG Group) hereby announces that on April 11th, 2023, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Koura, an Orbia business (Head office: Massachusetts, USA), and one of the world’s largest producers of fluoroproducts and advanced technologies. Together they will study collaboration for various purposes, such as strengthening the supply chain for formulated electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in North America.
The MCG Group’s formulated electrolytes with high output exert excellent durability and safety by controlling side reactions on the surface of electrodes using the MCG Group’s own additive technology. As a result, the electrolytes have been widely used for automotive LIB applications. The MCG Group, which owns production bases for formulated electrolytes in four countries, has enhanced its electrolyte production capacity in accordance with the growing demand for xEVs.
With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 in the U.S., automakers and battery cell manufacturers have accelerated local production of batteries for automotive applications and local procurement of parts and raw materials within North America.
To meet the demand, the MCG Group will enhance the supply chain for formulated electrolytes and advance technology in collaboration with Koura. The company has established the first U.S. production facility for lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), a critical lithium-ion battery material. The plant is located in Louisiana and plans to start operation of the facility in late 2025. With the signing of the memorandum, the MCG Group and Koura will consider specific details of the collaboration and business schemes in North America.
Overview of Koura
Location : Massachusetts, USA
Businesses : A global leader in the development, manufacturing and supply of fluoroproducts for a variety of applications
Parent Company: Orbia Advance Corporation
Website : https://www.kouraglobal.com/
The MCG Group’s formulated electrolytes with high output exert excellent durability and safety by controlling side reactions on the surface of electrodes using the MCG Group’s own additive technology. As a result, the electrolytes have been widely used for automotive LIB applications. The MCG Group, which owns production bases for formulated electrolytes in four countries, has enhanced its electrolyte production capacity in accordance with the growing demand for xEVs.
With the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 in the U.S., automakers and battery cell manufacturers have accelerated local production of batteries for automotive applications and local procurement of parts and raw materials within North America.
To meet the demand, the MCG Group will enhance the supply chain for formulated electrolytes and advance technology in collaboration with Koura. The company has established the first U.S. production facility for lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), a critical lithium-ion battery material. The plant is located in Louisiana and plans to start operation of the facility in late 2025. With the signing of the memorandum, the MCG Group and Koura will consider specific details of the collaboration and business schemes in North America.
Overview of Koura
Location : Massachusetts, USA
Businesses : A global leader in the development, manufacturing and supply of fluoroproducts for a variety of applications
Parent Company: Orbia Advance Corporation
Website : https://www.kouraglobal.com/
