Idemitsu Kosan is establishing a lithium sulfide production facility in Japan, aimed at manufacturing intermediate raw materials for solid-state battery electrolytes. The new plant is expected to become operational by June 2027 and will be situated within the company’s existing Chiba Complex. Dubbed the “Li2S large-scale facility,” this expansion follows the operation of two smaller-scale verification plants.
The project, which has received partial funding from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, totals approximately 21.3 billion yen, with a government grant of 7.1 billion yen (around 45 million euros). Idemitsu Kosan plans to develop an integrated value chain that spans from raw materials to finished products, targeting a production capacity of lithium sulfide equivalent to 3 GWh per year of storage batteries. This expansion aims to meet the demands of automakers and battery manufacturers, supporting the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries between 2027 and 2028.
In collaboration with Toyota, Idemitsu Kosan is focused on advancing solid-state battery technology. The company seeks to supply high-performance solid electrolytes on a large scale to a diverse customer base. Solid-state batteries can utilize various solid electrolytes, including metal oxides, metal sulfides, and polymers. Notably, other industry leaders like CATL and BYD are also pursuing the sulfide-based approach. BYD’s Chief Technology Officer, Sun Huajun, recently highlighted the company’s focus on sulfide electrolytes due to their cost-effectiveness and process stability.
Beyond the Li2S facility, Idemitsu Kosan plans to construct a large pilot plant dedicated to further processing solid electrolytes. This facility will employ ultrafine particle handling technology to process lithium hydroxide and sulfur components, followed by high-purity manufacturing techniques to produce recyclable, all-solid-state batteries.
The sulfur compounds used by Idemitsu Kosan will be derived from petroleum by-products. The company has a longstanding history in sulfur component utilization, having developed mass production technology for lithium sulfide as early as 1994. Leveraging its extensive experience and proprietary technologies, Idemitsu Kosan aims to achieve high-purity lithium sulfide production globally within the new facility.
This initiative underscores Idemitsu Kosan’s commitment to advancing battery technology and supporting the electric vehicle industry’s growth by ensuring a reliable supply of essential materials for next-generation batteries.
Source: Electrive
