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Improving the competitiveness of solar energy

Used in the manufacturing of solar panels, our materials contribute to increasing their performance, while also reducing their cost.

PVDF Kynar® Film fluorinated polymers, extruded as ultra-fine and resistant multilayer films, protect the backside of the panels against humidity and solar aging. As a result, the lifespan of panels is extended beyond 20 years.

To improve its EVA offering, the Arkema Group developed Luperox® Solar, a grade of organic peroxide, which speeds up EVA crosslinking used for the encapsulation of cells, thereby optimizing the production rate of panels.

Researchers at Arkema developed Apolhya® Solar, a nanostructured thermoplastic polymer, designed for the encapsulation of new generation flexible photovoltaic modules, also known as “thin layers”. Apolhya® Solar combines thermo-mechanical, adhesive and creep resistant properties with perfect transparency. As no crosslinking is required for the implementation of this product, the production time of the panels is reduced, and end of life recycling is easier.

Facilitate the implementation of concentrated solar power plants

The use of a heat transfer fluid in the liquid state over the entire operating temperature range of a concentrating solar power plant is an undeniable advantage.

Also essential criterion: the service life of the fluid which undergoes different cycles between the solar field and the conversion of thermal energy (directly or through a large capacity heat storage). This ensures continuity of heat supply, even outside of sunny hours.

Discover JARYTERM®

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Committing to the expansion of wind power

To avoid exposing their personnel to styrene, makers of wind turbine blades are turning to acrylic coatings from Sartomer, an Arkema subsidiary. Applied as a surface coating, photocure acrylic coatings harden instantly under ultraviolet light.

This new protective technology is greener than green: it is solvent-free and emits zero volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Durable and recyclable wind turbine blades!

With its new Elium® thermoplastic resin, Arkema is increasingly active in the wind power market. This ultra innovative product features countless properties. In particular it allows energy savings during the manufacture of the thermoplastic composite  blades, compared with blades made of polyester composite (a thermoset resin). Bonding takes place at ambient temperature: molds no longer need heating!

Furthermore, thanks to a depolymerization process developed by Arkema’s R&D, composite parts that contain the Elium® resin are recyclable. This is a big first and a real plus for wind turbine blade manufacturers, who are mindful of the future of their installations as well as the ussue of recycling.

Optimizing the biodiesel and renewable diesel production

Biofuels, produced directly or indirectly from biomass including plant materials or animal waste, are one key alternative option for the substitution of fossil fuels while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. Governments across the world have put in place supporting policies by approving legislative instruments or implementing tax exemptions, subsidies or other forms of financial incentives that foster the biofuel industry.

The biofuel is now commonly used all over the world. It is mainly produced, by transforming the vegetable or waste oils and animals fats, through two processes:

  • The "transesterification” giving Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel.
  • The "hydro-processing” giving Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVOs), called also “Renewable fuel.”

Whatever the process, the entire biofuel sector is facing with multiple and complex challenges: meeting the biofuel standard, improving yields, ensuring installations protection and operators safety in a context of cost reduction and tougher environmental standards.

Advanced acid catalyst for high quality biodiesel (manufacture)

Arkema is proposing its support thank a strong and recognized expertise and by providing its innovating thiochemal solutions to allow the biodiesel manufacturers to produce, in a safe and cost-effective manner, the highest quality of FAME biodiesel or renewable diesel. Arkema’s MSA LC (Low Corrosion) is a strong acid that could be used as a acidification or neutralization agent or as (trans)esterification catalyst that improves yield for biodiesel producers, allow the use of using advantaged feeds, with significantly reduced corrosivity toward stainless steel materials.

Catalyst injection services

Arkema manufactures the most widely used sulfiding agent, the Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS), at a two world-scale production sites and ensure its seamless and safe supply throughout the world. Thank its 40 years of experience in the oil refining and petrochemical industries, Arkema can also optimize on-site the catalyst sulfiding though a wide range of Carelflex® injection services. 

Energy storage

The development of renewable energies, which are by nature intermittent (wind, solar), combined with the evolution of nomadic technologies (electric cars, laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc.), requires increasingly efficient rechargeable batteries. To address this challenge, Arkema offers a number of materials that improve energy storage, battery power and battery operating life.

Lithium-ion batteries

The operation of lithium-ion batteries involves the exchange of lithium ions between a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode) during charge and discharge cycles. Cathodes are made up of bonded alloy particles capable of attracting lithium ions onto aluminum foil; anodes consist of graphite particles glued onto copper foil. This bonding, or binder, function of the active particles is key to the efficient performance of batteries.

DISCOVER OUR BATTERY SOLUTIONS

Kynar® PVDF electrode binders and separator coatings

Electrode binders and separator coatings are critical to the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries.

For many years, Arkema has been a pioneer in lithium ion battery innovation. The Kynar® HSV series for electrode binders and Kynar® LBG series for separator coatings have become global reference products for extreme durability in batteries. 

Explore Kynar®HSV & Kynar®LBG ranges

Incellion acrylic polymers binders and additives solutions for use inside the cell, that target energy density improvement 

The rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries and the race to increase energy density require the development of new materials to improve the performance of different applications within the battery cell.  

The use of advanced Incellion™ solutions, binders, dispersants or acrylic-based rheology additives allow to optimize formulations for the anode, adhesion primer and ceramic coated separator. 

Arkema capabilities include dedicated R&D teams for the battery application with world-class research facility, a global manufacturing footprint strategically located to support customers in their international expansion and a technical support to formulators to deliver high performance for the diverse battery applications inside the cell.
 

Contact our experts

A new fluorine-based electrolyte

Another element that helps boost the efficiency of batteries involves the electrolyte, the medium in which lithium ions migrate from cathode to anode and vice versa during charge and discharge cycles.

Arkema has developed electrolyte formulations based on two new ultra-pure lithium salts Foranext® LiFSI and LiTDI that help significantly increase the power performance, stability, and lifetime of batteries

Discover ForaNext® LiFSI et LiTDI

 

White paper - Energy storage

 

How Ultra-High Purity Lithium Salt LiFSI Facilitates High Performance in Advanced Battery Technology

 

Access the white paper

Graphistrength®: electrical conductivity boost

Graphistrength® carbon nanotubes can also be used to manufacture cathodes. Carbon nanotubes facilitate the flow of energy from cathode to anode, thereby allowing the batteries to recharge faster. 

Discover Graphistrenght®

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Materials for batteries

We present full portfolio of energy storage solutions for Lithium ion batteries. We provide high performance solutions for battery cell, module, battery pack and assembly. 

Discover our expertise

 

 

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