FUCHS Group is set to begin operations on the first pilot production line for high-performance battery electrolytes at its Kaiserslautern location in October 2022. The investment in E-Lyte Innovations GmbH allows FUCHS to enter the growing market for electrolytes, which are a key component of lithium-ion batteries used in various applications, including e-mobility. The pilot plant will produce a wide range of formulations quickly and at high quality. E-Lyte aims to establish a local supply chain for electrolyte solutions to reduce dependence on global events and ensure freshness due to the limited shelf life of electrolytes. A larger production facility is also planned for completion by the end of 2023.
The first pilot production line for high-performance battery electrolytes is set to commence operations at the FUCHS location in Kaiserslautern in October 2022. The globally operating FUCHS Group first announced its investment in E-Lyte Innovations GmbH back in May. After just a short construction period, the state-of-the-art and flexible pilot plant will soon be ready to begin production. With this investment, FUCHS has entered the fast-growing market for electrolytes - a market which is set to become increasingly important, particularly in Europe, since electrolytes represent a key component of the lithium-ion batteries used in countless applications, including e-mobility.
"With the plant developed specifically for the dynamic battery market, we are able to produce and supply a very wide range of formulations for the customers of E-Lyte both quickly and at the highest quality," comments Kay-Peter Wagner, Managing Director at FUCHS LUBRICANTS GERMANY GmbH. FUCHS and E-Lyte are also cooperating on establishing the requisite production infrastructure to facilitate localization and industrialization, as well as further growth.
By implementing this project, E-Lyte will become the first German company capable of supplying the European battery market with one of its most important components from a European production base.
"It’s our goal to help make the European battery value chain less dependent on world political events as soon as possible”, said E-Lyte CEO Dr. Ralf Wagner. “A local supply chain for electrolyte solutions are also essential for another very important reason. An electrolyte has a limited shelf life, which can be limited to only a few months, depending on the complexity of the composition”, he adds.
Additionally to the pilot plant, a state-of-the-art production facility will also be constructed in Kaiserslautern. Once up and running, this new plant will be capable of producing several thousand tons of electrolyte per year. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.