On 21 June, 2016, Zhejiang Yongtai Technology Co ., Ltd. (Zhejiang Yongtai)
announced the plan to partner with Fujian Shaowu Yongjing Chemical Co., Ltd.
(Fujian Yongjing), Shaowu Jinghe Investment Management Centre (Jinghe
Investment) and Fuzhou Yingke Hengtong Venture Capital Centre (Limited
Partnership) (Yingke Hengtong), to establish a joint venture (JV) in the Shaowu
Jintang Industrial Park.
Source: Baidu
Accordingly, the JV was temporarily named as Shaowu Yongtai High-Tech Materials
Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of USD15.18 million (RMB100 million). Of
this,
-
Zhejiang Yongtai - USD9.11 million (RMB60
million), 60% of the total
-
Fujian Yongjing - USD2.28 million (RMB15
million), 15%
-
Jinghe Investment - USD758,852 (RMB5
million), 5%
-
Jingke Hengtong - USD3.04 million (RMB20
million), 20%
The JV is aimed at constructing a fluorine-enriched lithium salt project,
capacity designed to reach 6,000 t/a (lithium hexafluorophosphate - LiPF6) and
2,000 t/a (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide - LiFSI), according to CCM’s
research.
LiPF6 and LiFSI are raw materials used mainly in Li-ion battery electrolyte
segment. The capacity layout activity by Zhejiang Yongtai indicated that the
company would march into Li-ion battery industry which is now developing
rapidly, to expand its downstream market and build new profit growth points.
Thanks to favourable policies and strong consumers’ confidence, the alternative
energy vehicle market maintains rapid and stable development: production and
sales both increase by 100%+ annually. This also brings broad market space to
Li-ion battery and related key materials.
Particularly in regard to LiPF6, its price has sharply risen by nearly 400%, driven
by the short supply. Now it remains at USD60,708/t (RMB400,000/t). CCM expects
the figure to maintain high, as LiPF6 supply is in short in the context that
production capacities for alternative energy vehicle and Li-ion battery are put
into operation continuously.
LiFSI, as a new fluorine-enriched lithium salt, features with advantages
carried by both LiPF6 and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), and works in
solving technological problems such as short power Li-ion battery lifespan
(especially under high temperature) and safety risks.
Owing to big production difficulties and high production costs, LiFSI is now
just used as an additive in electrolyte, addition at about 10-30%, and in
premium-marketed Li-ion battery at small quantity. However, as breakthroughs
are made in key technology, substitutions of traditional lithium salts will be
achieved and power Li-ion battery performance will be upgraded. This is a broad
market prospect.
“We have been involved in developing production process for fluorine-enriched
lithium salts for years,” stated Zhejiang Yongtai, “Now we have finished
the independent R&D of production processes and technologies for LiPF6 and
LiFSI, which have been recognised by some clients already. This is a foundation
for the launch of new products.”
Notably, partner Fujian Yongjing in this JV has rich knowhow about
fluorochemical production and has capability to ensure raw material supply.
Founded in 2007, it is dedicated to production of fine fluorochemicals,
portfolio spanning high purity and ultra clean hydrofluoric acid (30,000 t/a,
incl. 6,000 t/a for UP-SS grade), electronic grade sulphur hexafluoride (500
t/a), high purity carbon tetrafluoride (500 t/a), and high purity ammonium
fluoride solution (3,000 t/a).
This article comes from Fluoride Materials China Monthly Report 1606, CCM
About CCM:
CCM is the
leading market intelligence provider for China’s agriculture, chemicals, food
& ingredients and life science markets. Founded in 2001, CCM offers a
range of data and content solutions, from price and trade data to industry
newsletters and customized market research reports. Our clients include Monsanto,
DuPont, Shell, Bayer, and Syngenta. CCM is a brand of Kcomber Inc.
For more
information about CCM, please visit www.cnchemicals.com or get in touch with us
directly by emailing econtact@cnchemicals.com or calling
+86-20-37616606.
Tag: fluoride Li-ion battery LiPF6