On Wednesday, Reuters reported that OneD Battery Sciences and Koch Modular plan to establish a joint factory in North America to produce ample silicon-graphite anode material to power approximately 1m electric vehicles (EVs).
OneD Battery Sciences and Koch Modular to boost silicon-graphite anode material production
This material is used in the batteries of these automobiles.
OneD is among the startups that develop silicon anode materials. Others in this arena include GDI, Nexeon, and Sila Nanotechnologies. Reportedly, the silicon anode works better than the pure graphite EV batteries.
Data shows that China processes more than 90% of the global graphite supply for EV batteries. However, the country limited the exportation of this commodity in December 2023, instigating the search for manufactured alternatives, such as silicon. OneD and Koch will soon disclose the factory’s location, which is rumoured to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Don’t miss out the latest news, subscribe to LeapRate’s newsletter
By adding ultra-thin silicon nanowires to a graphite EV battery, OneD improves the scope of the cell and lessens charging times. According to Reuters information, this makes the EV battery lighter in weight and more affordable.
Koch Modular, owned by Koch Industries, will construct a silane gas plant, which removes contaminants from the silicon before it is combined with graphite at the factory level for the end product. Reportedly, there are talks of establishing the same operation in Europe.
George Schlowsky, Koch Modular’s president, told Reuters that US silicon production became unprofitable because China saturated the market with inexpensive variations. The US Inflation Reduction Act and Europe’s drive to obtain a larger cut of the EV supply chain breathed new economic life into silane plants.
