Japan’s Toyota, Idemitsu unite for ASSB production

Market: Metals
13/10/23

Japanese auto producer Toyota and refiner Idemitsu agreed on 12 October to co-operate on mass manufacturing of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), targeting to achieve this between 2027 and 2028.

The partners will jointly invent mass output technologies of solid electrolytes, a key component of ASSBs, while establishing their supply chain. Idemitsu aims to start operation of a large-scale mass production demonstration plant of solid electrolytes by the April 2027-March 2028 fiscal year, likely in east Japan's Chiba prefecture. Toyota will then achieve manufacturing and practical use of ASSBs on its BEVs during 2027 to 2028 and begin mass production of ASSBs, possibly in central Japan's Aichi prefecture.

They have already started operation of a small-scale pilot plant for solid electrolytes in November 2021 in Chiba. They will receive support from the country's green innovation funds under state-owned research institute Nedo for the large-scale demonstration project.

The ultimate production capacity of solid electrolytes could be a few thousands tonne per line, equivalent to tens of thousands vehicles, said Idemitsu.

Idemitsu will produce lithium sulphide by combining lithium hydroxide generated from Idemitsu's interests in lithium mines in Australia and sulphur components, which are by-products of refining. It will then generate solid electrolytes from lithium sulphide. Toyota will produce ASSBs by incorporating Idemitsu's solid electrolytes.

Idemitsu established production technology of lithium sulphide in 1994, while jointly researching ASSB production with Toyota since 2013. Toyota said the flexibility of Idemitsu's solid electrolytes could enhance the durability of ASSBs.

Toyota announced it will accelerate the development of ASSBs on 13 June. The company said it made technical breakthroughs to overcome durability problems associated with ASSBs, claiming that the maximum distance could be extended to 1,500km with upgraded technology.

Idemitsu has increased its battery sector focus with shrinking refining demand. Idemitsu signed an agreement with Belgium-based material company Umicore to co-operate on studying and developing high-performance material for ASSB materials for EVs.

By Nanami Oki

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