Evonik, a global specialty chemicals company, has made a significant investment in Chinese battery specialist SuperC.
SuperC is a leading innovator in using graphene materials to improve the range, robustness, charging speed, and service life of lithium-ion batteries, which can help overcome key limitations in electric vehicles and accelerate the transition to eco-friendly mobility.
According to Bernhard Mohr, the head of Evonik’s venture capital unit, “By investing in SuperC, we are supporting cutting-edge technology with a promising future. High-performance batteries are a crucial factor in accelerating the electrification of road transport and permanently reducing CO2 emissions.”
The investment was made through Evonik’s Sustainability Tech Fund, which has a total investment volume of €150 million and focuses on new technologies that can help reduce emissions and complement Evonik’s Next Generation Solutions.
SuperC has developed a novel process for producing few-layer graphene (FLG) and pastes for electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. Graphene increases the electrical and thermal conductivity of batteries, which enhances their performance and charging speed, while also making them less sensitive to temperature changes. This reduces cooling requirements and lowers the risk of fire, improving the safety of the batteries.
“With our technology, we want to pave the way for the next generation of batteries. We are pleased to have Evonik as a strong and international partner at our side,” says Di Sun, CEO of SuperC.
Stefan Plass, head of the Interface & Performance business line, explains, “By working with SuperC, we are expanding our technical know-how and understanding of the highly dynamic market. This fits perfectly with our growth strategy for battery solutions.”
Evonik is committed to developing innovative and sustainable e-mobility solutions, with a particular focus on improving battery technology. The company’s products are already used in various components of batteries, making them more powerful, safer, and more environmentally friendly.
Evonik also has its global lithium-ion research center in Shanghai, and the investment in SuperC will create synergies in innovations for battery materials, supporting Evonik’s local business development in China.
“China’s battery industry has logged rapid growth in recent years. With the investment, we create synergies in innovations for battery materials and thus support our local business development,” says Fuliang Xia, President of Evonik Greater China.
According to experts, global demand for lithium-ion batteries will increase fivefold by 2030.
SuperC, founded in 2011 in Dongguan, China, is considered a pioneer in graphene-based electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. Its materials are already used in products from leading Chinese battery manufacturers.
SuperC plans to open a new production facility in Hefei, a key location for the automotive industry, in 2023.