To date, batteries with LFP cathodes have been produced almost exclusively in China. In order to reduce this dependency, LANXESS is focusing on two alternative manufacturing processes for LFP cathode material and is offering new raw materials for this purpose. These include newly developed iron oxide battery grades that are now available for the market as well as new iron phosphate products that LANXESS intends to start producing. The aim is to work with partners to create a value chain for LFP batteries that will reliably supply Western markets. The focus will be on safe raw materials, climate friendliness and efficient recycling in line with material life cycles.
The LANXESS Inorganic Pigments business unit has recently started offering customized products that have been specially developed for the LFP process using iron oxides. With a production capacity of over 300,000 metric tons annually, LANXESS is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of iron oxides and the only major Western producer. Around 70 percent of the production volume manufactured outside China comes from LANXESS production sites. Based on its 100 years of market experience and its product and process knowledge, LANXESS currently offers iron oxide battery grades under the Bayoxide® brand. In terms of purity, surface properties, crystallinity and particle size, they are produced in a way that enables optimum electrochemical properties for the cathode materials. They are manufactured in the Uerdingen district of Krefeld, Germany, and in Porto Feliz, Brazil.
With these high-quality iron oxides for the use in LFP batteries LANXESS received the prestigious ICIS Innovation Award 2024. The award in the category “Best Product Innovation from a Large Company” recognizes LANXESS’ outstanding contribution to the development of value chains for LFP in the Western regions.
The LANXESS Inorganic Pigments business unit is also planning to establish itself as a supplier for the second LFP process route via iron phosphate. To date, there is hardly enough iron phosphate capacity in Europe that can be used for LFP production. This is where LANXESS aims to begin, and is currently looking into expanding its own production capacities. The plans envisage using tried-and-tested facilities in Uerdingen, Krefeld. This could make the company the only major producer in Europe and one of the few in the world. A feasibility study has confirmed that the technology is ready for large-scale production and is an economical and sustainable alternative to the production process based on iron sulfate. This means that neither emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides, which negatively affect the climate, nor waste water with high salt loads are produced.