Wanhua Chemical Group Battery Technology and IBU-tec, a prominent European manufacturer of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials, officially signed a Joint Research and Development Agreement (JDA) during a ceremony held in Weimar, Germany, on March 26. This collaboration is part of Wanhua Chemical’s ongoing efforts to engage in comprehensive partnerships, while not hindering discussions with other potential collaborators.
The agreement outlines plans for scaling up production to an industrial level in the coming months. Both companies aim to achieve reliable results by the third quarter of the year to assess whether their joint development efforts align with market demands in Europe and North America. Success in these endeavors could pave the way for the production of LFP cathode materials in Germany, thereby contributing to a localized European battery supply chain.
Key figures from both organizations attended the signing ceremony, including Dr. Hua Weiqi, Executive Vice President of Wanhua Chemical; Wang Xiaoxing, General Manager of Wanhua Battery Industry Company Limited; Jörg Leinenbach, CEO of IBU-tec; and Ulrich Weitz, Chief Production Officer of IBU-tec.
LFP has emerged as a mainstream choice in the new energy automotive and energy storage sectors due to its high safety standards and long cycle life. Wanhua Chemical has developed a comprehensive technology platform that integrates battery material development, equipment technology advancements, and research into electric core applications. This platform has facilitated continuous improvements in their LFP products. Through their partnership with IBU-tec, Wanhua Chemical intends to establish a local supply chain to serve European clients with LFP materials.
Dr. Hua Weiqi highlighted the dominance of LFP in the Chinese market, where it holds nearly an 80% share in electric vehicles and is the leading commercially available solution for energy storage. He emphasized Wanhua Chemical’s commitment to a globalization strategy, evidenced by the establishment of seven research and development centers in locations including Beijing, Shanghai, Hungary, and Spain, alongside nine production facilities and over ten international sales organizations. IBU-tec complements this strategy with its established R&D and production capabilities focused on LFP materials within Germany.
Looking ahead, Wanhua Chemical and IBU-tec plan to discuss the creation of a joint laboratory in Europe. This initiative aims to bolster collaboration in battery innovation and research and development, thereby providing robust local support for the growth of the European battery industry.
Source: Indian Chemical News
