LPN develops tech to recycle natural graphite
Tech can lead to cost-cutting in battery production
South Korean material firm LPN has developed a technology to recycle leftover natural graphite, which can lead to cost-cutting in battery production.
The company said the technology, called conglobulation, has been verified by a global company.
LPN is planning to build a pilot line for the technology to increase productivity.
The technology reuses leftover natural graphite during the production of the battery anode.
LPN says the recycled graphite can be made into synthetic graphite.
Mined natural graphites are made globular before being used to produce battery anodes. The process of making the graphite globular has a yield rate of only around 30%; the leftover graphite is discarded.
LPN’s conglobulation technology mergers these leftovers that are 2 to 3 micrometers in size into 15 to 20 micrometer-sized globes.
The company ultimately aims to use the technology to produce synthetic graphites.
Synthetic graphites, which are made by heating needle cokes, have more pathways for the lithium-ion to move, which is advantageous for fast charging.
The price of raw materials used in electric vehicle batteries is on the rise. Prices of natural graphite have near doubled in the past couple of years.