Arkema and ENNEX Forge Global Alliance to Power the Next Generation of Safer, Smarter Battery Separators

In a move that could reshape the competitive landscape of advanced battery materials, French specialty chemicals leader Arkema has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with China’s ENNEX (Yunnan Energy New Material Co., Ltd.)—the world’s leading lithium-ion battery separator manufacturer—to accelerate innovation and globalize next-generation separator technology. Announced on December 5, 2025, the partnership unites two powerhouses at the forefront of the energy transition: one supplying the molecules, the other shaping the membranes that keep batteries safe and efficient.

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared mission: to enhance the performance, safety, and sustainability of lithium-based batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), grid-scale energy storage, and consumer electronics. Arkema will bring its high-value material portfolio—including the iconic Kynar® PVDF and cutting-edge Incellion® acrylic solutions—to co-develop advanced coating and binder technologies tailored for ENNEX’s ultra-thin, high-strength separators. These materials are critical for thermal stability, electrolyte wettability, and mechanical integrity, especially as batteries push toward higher energy densities and faster charging.

For ENNEX, the alliance is a strategic accelerator in its global expansion drive. Already a dominant force in China, the company—founded in 2006 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002812)—reported RMB 10.16 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2024 revenue and has recently locked in massive supply deals, including 3.55 billion square meters of separator film for LG Energy Solution and a pioneering agreement with Beijing Weilan New Energy for semi-solid-state battery separators. Partnering with Arkema gives ENNEX access to globally trusted chemistries and regulatory expertise, smoothing entry into demanding markets like Europe and North America.

Meanwhile, Arkema gains a powerful conduit to scale its battery materials through the world’s largest separator producer. “This isn’t just a supplier relationship—it’s a co-innovation engine,” said an Arkema executive. By embedding its polymers early in ENNEX’s R&D cycle, the French firm ensures its solutions are optimized for real-world manufacturing and performance targets.

The timing is pivotal. As the EV industry confronts safety recalls and solid-state battery timelines stretch, separator technology has emerged as a silent hero—a thin but decisive layer between catastrophe and reliability. With this alliance, Arkema and ENNEX aren’t merely improving a component; they’re co-building the safety backbone of the electrified future.

From Yunnan to Lyon, from lab bench to gigafactory, this Franco-Chinese partnership signals a new era: where chemistry and membrane engineering converge to charge the world—safely, sustainably, and at scale.