Donghwa Electrolyte has been selected as the lead organization for a government-funded research project to develop electrolyte solutions for high-manganese batteries.
The company, a battery electrolyte manufacturer under the Donghwa Enterprise group, will head a sub-project under a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy initiative titled "Development of Key Materials and Cell Manufacturing Technology for 260 Wh/kg-Class High-Manganese Lithium Secondary Batteries." Donghwa Electrolyte's sub-project focuses on developing manganese-dissolution-suppressing electrolyte manufacturing technology for high-voltage (4.5V or above) high-manganese lithium-ion batteries. The project will be carried out jointly with Husung, Miwon Commercial, KAIST and the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST).
The participating institutions will pursue three goals: developing high-manganese-tailored functional additives and process technology, developing electrolyte composition technology for high-manganese cathode materials, and scaling up mass production of high-manganese battery electrolytes. Donghwa Electrolyte will lead the development of oxidation-resistant solvents for high-voltage applications and spearhead the electrolyte composition work.
The project runs for 45 months through December 2029, with total government support of 26 billion won (about $16.8 million). Of that, the sub-project led by Donghwa Electrolyte is allocated 6.5 billion won.
High-manganese batteries are regarded as offering high energy density and strong cost competitiveness. However, securing stability in high-voltage environments above 4.5V remains the foremost technical challenge.
"We will resolve the electrolyte stability issue to gain a technological edge and lead the next-generation battery market that comes after NCM and LFP chemistries," Donghwa Electrolyte said Monday.
freiheit@heraldcorp.com
