Idemitsu Kosan will increase the production capacity for solid electrolytes in order to expand the use of all-solid-state lithium-ion rechargeable batteries

Idemitsu Kosan (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shunichi Kito, hereinafter referred to as “Idemitsu”) will increase the production capacity of Plant 1^*1 (launch: November 2021), 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^*2, 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.

Idemitsu’s initiatives to commercialize solid electrolytes

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.

Overview of initiatives (excerpt from Idemitsu’s medium-term business plan materials)

In order to strengthen communication with car/battery manufacturers and materials manufacturers, not only in Japan but also on a global scale, Idemitsu Kosan will utilize the following bases as points of contact and connection for the commercialization of its products.

Toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society in 2050, Idemitsu Kosan has set forth its vision for 2030, “Your Reliable Partner for a Brighter Future,” and its vision for 2050, “Shaping Change.” In the Medium-term Business Plan (fiscal years 2023-2025) announced last November, Idemitsu expressed its commitment to fulfill its “Responsibility to support people and their daily lives” and “Responsibility to protect the global environment now and in the future” through social implementation in the following “3 business domains.”

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 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.*1 Location of Plant 1Within the Company’s Chiba Complex of Idemitsu Kosan (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture)*2 Location of Plant 2Within the Lithium Battery Material Department of Idemitsu Kosan (Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)*3The project has been adopted as one of the “Green Innovation Fund Projects / Next-generation Storage Battery and Motor Development” by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). (Target period: Scheduled for the six years from FY2022 to FY2027)