IM Advances in Composite Copper Foil Market for EV Batteries
South Korean company IM is making significant strides in the anode materials market for secondary batteries by moving towards the commercialization of composite copper foil. The company has equipped its facilities in the Mado General Industrial Complex in Hwaseong and the Ansan Industrial Complex in Ansan, targeting mass production by the end of the year. Composite copper foil is recognized for its capacity to prevent thermal runaway in electric vehicle batteries, enhancing safety.
Industry sources revealed on Monday that IM recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nuode New Materials, a Chinese specialist in copper foil, to facilitate a technology exchange related to composite copper foil. This collaboration aims to advance the technologies necessary for commercialization and test IM's prototypes with a major Chinese secondary battery manufacturer.
Nuode, a leading player in China’s copper foil market and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, has the technology to produce ultra-thin copper foil at 4 micrometers.
IM is pioneering a "two-step" production process involving vacuum deposition and electroplating. This innovative approach has received positive feedback for addressing challenges related to copper plating adhesion and wrinkle formation, issues that have limited the performance of similar technologies in China.
IM's collaborations extend to other Chinese copper foil producers, such as Nuode and Huachuang, which are key suppliers of battery-grade copper foil and are backed by major battery manufacturers CATL and BYD.
Composite copper foil replaces metallic copper with lightweight polymer films like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), making it a cost-effective and lighter option. This innovation enables the development of high-capacity, long-life batteries while reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
According to IM, PET composite copper foil is over 60% lighter than conventional copper foil of equivalent thickness and area, boosting battery energy density by 10%. As production yield stabilizes, costs could be reduced by about 63%, addressing thermal runaway concerns and extending battery life.
