Chemical Companies Step Up Production of Materials for Rechargeable Batteries

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The push during the past year to capitalize on stimulus dollars and investment incentives offered for the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for the automotive industry and photovoltaic films for the solar industry has helped drive spending in some very niche corners of the Chemical Processing Industry (CPI). The movement to see an increased number of automobiles in North America running from battery power is nothing new, although the trend has gained tremendous momentum during the past year. Investment projects to produce specialty chemicals used in the manufacture of lithium batteries have become a focus for many.

Industry giants such as Honeywell International Incorporated (NYSE:HON) (Morris Town, New Jersey), BASF SE (OTC:BASFY) (Ludwigshafen, Germany), and even smaller names such as Celgard LLC (Charlotte, North Carolina) and Novolyte Technologies LP (Independence, Ohio) are investing in a variety of technologies and products that support the growing demand for rechargeable batteries. BASF is in the early planning phases of building a new production unit to manufacture composite cathode materials used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. BASF's plant site in Elyria, Ohio, is the potential location for this estimated $40 million unit, construction of which is contingent upon the successful award of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Celgard, a manufacturer of specialty microporous membranes is in the midst of expanding the company's battery separator products plant in Charlotte. Civil and structural construction is expected to begin within weeks for this estimated $25 million plant expansion. Celgard is also in the process of evaluating multiple new plant site alternatives for the construction of a grassroot plant within the next two years.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) (Wilmington, Delaware) is expected to begin construction soon for the fourth phase of an expansion at the Louisville, Kentucky, plant site, increasing the capacity of polyvinyl fluoride used in the manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels. As acceptance of battery-powered automobiles and solar power in residential and commercial communities grows globally, spending for these commodities could grow to be more then just a niche.

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