Phone:

32 779 26 01

Email:

skbmp@sk.com
  • Polski
  • English
    • Whistleblowers
  • Polski
  • English

    • Our Product

    Separator

    The latest technological solutions used in separators manufactured by SK hi-tech battery materials Poland guarantee high product quality, which translates into significant improvement of battery parameters in which they are used. Separators manufactured in our plant are used mainly in the automotive industry.

    Separator

    A cell consists of 4 main components

    • Cathode
    • Anode
    • Electrolyte
    • Separator

    Separator, a key component in Lithium-ion batteries, is a microporous film placed between the anode and cathode to prevent short-circuiting inside a battery during charging and discharging processes. It also provides channels for ions to move between the electrodes, thereby determining the electrochemical performance and safety.

    Separator structure

    A Li-on separator mainly consist a Base Film that plays a significant role in safety and performance, and a Coating Layer that contains inorganic materials to ensure the thermal stability of separator.

    *PP: Polipropylene / *PE: Polyethylene

    Separator types

    Separators are generally classified into the
    Wet process or the Dry process,
    depending on the process principles.

    Process principle

    Thermally induced
    phase separation

    Wet process
    Dry process

    Crystal transformation

    Main products

    Single layer PE film,
    Multi layer film (PE/PP)

    PP (single layer film),
    PE (single layer film),
    Double layer film,
    Multi layer film

    Manufacturing process

    Simultaneous biaxial stretching,
    Sequential biaxial stretching

    Unidirectional stretching

    *PP: Polipropylene / *PE: Polyethylene

    Technological solutions
    for separators' challenges

    Challenges
    • Ineffective use of electrode capacity
    • Increased electrolyte resistance
    Wettability
    • Demand for large format cells (e.g. EV, power grid applications) Increased
    • Great potential for thermal events in larger batteries
    Thermal Shrinkage
    • Demands more active electrode materials as batteries possess higher power and energy densities continue to develop
    Thickness
    Solutions
    • Hydrophilic Monomer Coating: Improves compatibility
    • Process for PP Membrance: Treating the PP membrane with the corona discharge, and increasing the porosity level of the PP membrane
    • Coating on membrane
    • Surface of membrane modification
    • Ceramic Coating: Provides high temperature performance for the battery separator thorugh the ceramic material
    • Utilize stronger materials for thinner separators such as high crystallinity PP and UHMWPE, containing higher modules and strength values

    *PP: Polipropylene / *UHMWPE: Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

    Pros & Cons
    of each processing method

    Wet processing method
    Pros
    • Energy density, capacity and output
    • Produces thin membrane
    • Uniformed pore size and distribution
    Cons
    • Costly
    This method is used at the SK facility.
    VS
    Dry processing method
    Pros
    • Good conductivity
    • High temp. and oxidation resistance
    • Simple process
    Cons
    • Uneven pore size
    • Poor stability

    Separator
    market trends

    Lithium-ion battery separators market size outlook

    (Unit: Bil USD)

    *Source: <2023> SCM Analysis and market outlook for UB 4 major materials (-2030)

    Wet process (62%) vs Dry process (38%)

    The dry processing method separators have advantages in terms of manufacturing costs, yet they have limitations when utilized as high-energy density batteries.
    Wet-laid separators is expected to stay dominated.

    Solutions to improve
    thermal stability

    Porous layer coating

    Aramid coating

    Ceramic particle coating

    What makes our separators outstanding?

    SK hi-tech battery materials Poland is part of one of the largest manufacturers of lithium-ion battery separators in the world – SK ie technology. Our separator, manufactured in a wet process, is characterized by exceptional quality and safety.

    World's first Sequential Stretching Technology

    Extend the separators freely with uniform quality

    • Stretching Ratio is adjustable
    • High productivity
    • Low production cost

    Eco-fiendly ENPASS™ Ultrathin Ceramic Coated Separator (CCS)

    Ceramic particles coating on the surface of the base film

    • Strong heat resistance
    • Excellent thermal stability and electrotype wettability
    • Increased melting point