LG Energy Solution to apply Z-stacking in battery production 

LG Energy Solution is planning to apply the Z-stacking method into its battery productions, TheElec has learned.

Stacking during battery production is when the cathode, anode, separator and other material materials are stacked on top of each other. It is part of the assembly process in battery production.

In Z-stacking, the cathode and anode are stacked alternatively with the separator.

The method is already in use by SK On and Samsung SDI.

LG Electronics’ Production engineering Research Institute (PRI), which oversees production in all LG affiliates, has formed a team called Advanced Z-Stacking, or AZS, for the application of the Z-stacking method. The team is headed by Kim Seong-chul, head of lamination and stacking at LG Energy Solution. LG Energy Solution head of technology collaboration Kong Song-bae has also been sent to LG PRI as head of equipment development to assist.

LG Energy Solution, besides Z-stacking, is also researching single lamination and direct stacking methods.

So far, the company had used lamination and stacking method, where the cathode, anode and separator are laminated first before being stacked.

The method allows the materials to be aligned first and avoids them flapping around, which can cause them to not be stacked properly.

The method is considered more productive than Z-stacking and also allows the internal materials of a battery cell to be packed in, efficiently.

However, the separator can be misaligned during the lamination process and the method requires constant oversight.

Sources said LG Energy Solution is planning to adopt Z-stacking, while maintaining the principles of its current lamination and stacking method.