On September 10, LG Chem announced a technical collaboration with Hunan Kejing New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. in the field of carbon nanotubes (CNT), jointly developing Hybrid CNT, a next-generation battery conductive agent, and strengthening its layout in CNT production technology.
Hybrid CNT is a conductive agent solution for next-generation batteries. Carbon nanotubes offer excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. As a conductive agent, they can improve electron transport efficiency in electrodes at relatively low loading, enhancing battery rate performance and high/low-temperature behavior. Industry observers believe that as fast-charging lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries accelerate in volume, demand for high-performance CNT conductive agents continues to rise. The development of Hybrid CNT is expected to provide key material support for high-energy-density, fast-charging batteries.
LG Chem is said to own more than 550 CNT-related patents and uses a self-developed cobalt-based catalyst, which helps reduce magnetic foreign matter content in the material. Its mass production facility uses a fluidized bed reactor, with single-line annual capacity reaching 600 tons; the new-generation production line consumes about 30% less electricity than earlier facilities.
