Epsilon partners with Korea’s Daejoo to develop Gen-1 Silicon-Graphite Composite

Epsilon Advanced Materials, is a leading global manufacturer of environmentally conscious lithium-ion battery (LiB) anode & cathode materials, has announced a joint development program with South Korea’s Daejoo Electronic Materials, a leading producer of silicon anode materials for LiB.

Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM), is a leading global manufacturer of environmentally conscious lithium-ion battery (LiB) anode & cathode materials. Daejoo Electronic Materials (Daejoo) from South Korea is one of the leading global producers of Silicon Anode Materials for lithium-ion battery (LiB).

Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM) and Daejoo, have announced a joint development program to develop a Silicon-Graphite composite (Graphite-rich) by combining Epsilon’s Graphite and Daejoo’s Silicon material. The companies aim to develop a product that outperforms current material technology used in LiB, delivering enhanced performance and efficiency. Nagase, a Japanese trading company, played a role developing the partnership between the two companies.

Under the joint program, the companies have set an ambitious target of developing Gen-1 Graphite rich Silicon composite Anode Materials for LiB with capacity of 450 – 600 mAh/g, thereby increasing discharge capacity by 50% and life span by thousands of cycles.

EAM will supply synthetic Graphite, which will be used to create and evaluate SiOx-Graphite composites in Daejoo’s laboratories. Conversely, Daejoo will provide samples for the same purpose, allowing EAM to tailor and test SiOx-Graphite composites in its own labs. Both companies aim to qualify the SiOx-Graphite composite materials with their customers to develop innovative products. According to EAM’s current schedule, the 1st stage development and evaluation of the SiOx-Graphite composite material are expected to be completed by end of 2024 and then explore the material qualification with cell manufacturers jointly. 

Vikram Handa, Managing Director of Epsilon Group said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with one of the world’s leading producers of Silicon Anode materials to develop revolutionary battery material technology. This collaboration shows our dedication to accelerating India’s & global transition to clean energy and sustainable mobility. Through continuous R&D efforts like these, we are committed to pioneering advancements in battery innovation. Upon successful completion of our rigorous in-house evaluation processes, we will be well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the mobility industry by providing high-performance, safe battery solutions.”

Dae Woon Park, Managing Director of Daejoo Electronic Materials said, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to innovate and enhance battery performance. Collaborating with EAM, not only strengthens our presence in the rapidly growing Indian market but also aligns with our global strategy of developing advanced materials tailored to the diverse needs of customers and the market. With EAM, we aim to develop cutting-edge battery materials that will drive sustainable progress and deliver unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Silicon-Graphite battery materials represent a significant advancement in lithium-ion battery technology. By combining the high capacity of silicon with the stability of Graphite, these materials offer a superior alternative to traditional Graphite Anodes, meeting the increasing demands for higher performance, longer life, and fast charging in modern battery applications. This makes them particularly well-suited for the evolving needs of the automobile industry and other high power demand sectors.