SEMCORP Advanced Materials Group, founded in 1996 as Yunnan Energy New Material Co., Ltd., is the world’s largest producer of lithium-ion battery separators. Headquartered in Yuxi, China, with 8,000 employees and facilities in over 30 countries, it supplies automotive, energy storage, and consumer electronics sectors. Holding a 37% global market share (46% for wet-process), SEMCORP is pivotal in EV and renewable energy supply chains. Publicly traded (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 002812.SZ), it prioritizes technological innovation, scalable production, and R&D.
Battery Technology
SEMCORP’s lithium-ion battery separators are engineered to enhance safety, energy density, and lifespan in batteries used in EVs and energy storage. These critical components isolate electrodes while enabling ion flow, featuring advanced technologies such as thinly coated ceramic layers, PVDF, and aramid coatings to improve thermal stability and prevent internal short circuits. The company produces both wet-process and dry-process separators, with ultra-thin variants as narrow as 4μm—elevating energy density without compromising safety.
Recently, SEMCORP has implemented functional enhancements like semi-solid coated separators that boost low-temperature performance, achieving 10% higher capacity retention at -30°C. In 2022, the firm invested 105 million USD (5.75% of operating income) in R&D, bolstering its portfolio of 520+ patents, including shared innovations with partners like LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Celgard. Looking ahead, SEMCORP is expanding into solid-state and semi-solid electrolyte technologies, such as joint venture projects with Beijing WELION to produce solid-state battery components. Its equipment partnerships with global manufacturers ensure high-precision production, supporting planned capacity expansions to 17.5 billion square meters of separators by 2025.
Recent Projects
SEMCORP has prioritized rapid expansion and innovation to address market demands. In the U.S., a 950,000-square-foot facility in Sidney, Ohio—dubbed Project Burlington—began construction in mid-2024, targeting EV battery coating production and creating over 1,200 jobs. Meanwhile, its Hungarian plant, established in late 2024, is set to begin operations in early 2025, reinforcing European supply chains. Domestically, a January 2025 joint venture with WELION launched China’s first commercial semi-solid electrolyte membrane line, advancing solid-state battery development.
SEMCORP also upgraded its Jiangxi facility with Celgard to optimize dry-process separator output, acheiving finer pore distribution and higher yields. To support quality control, its lab gained CNAS accreditation in November 2022, enhancing global recognition. These initiatives align with its 2025 goals to bolster production capacity and technological leadership.
Investors
SEMCORP is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002812.SZ), with a share price of 30.86 CNY as of early 2023. The company is led by founders Paul Xiaoming Lee (Chairman/CEO) and Tony Xiaohua Li (Vice Chairman). Its ownership includes institutional investors and private shareholders, along with strategic alliances supporting its growth. A notable capital move in 2022 was an approved private placement of up to 12.8 billion CNY to fund expansions like the Ohio facility.
Business Details
Location: Yuxi City, China
Website: https://www.semcorp.com/en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/sales/company/30384670
