Hanwha developing roll-press and slitter for battery production 

Hanwha’s machine business unit is developing roll-press and slitter kits that are used in the electrode process in battery production, TheElec has learned.

The development started during the second half of 2021 and is expected to be completed within 2022, sources said.

The company plans to offer the two new kits with its existing coater, they said.

The new equipment are in short supply globally, and Hanwha will be aiming to meet this increased demand, they added.

During the electrode process, the coater coats the active material on the copper foil. Then, a roll-press is used to press the material and afterward, a slitter cuts the roll.

Roll-press and slitters are usually more sophisticated than coaters, while also requiring expendable parts to maintain.

The launch of the two new kits will likely help significantly in terms of profitability to Hanwha, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Hanwha, once it completes the development of the new equipment, will be able to deliver most equipment used in battery productions except those needed for mixing and packaging. It also offers equipment used in cathode production.

It has Samsung SDI, Tesla and EcoPro BM as customers already and is expected to supply them with more equipment going forward.