AM Batteries (AMB) and Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) to Jointly Develop Solvent-Free Electrode Manufacturing Technology for Li-Ion Batteries

• AMB is an innovative manufacturing company developing next-generation, lower-carbon footprint and lower-cost dry-electrode manufacturing technology for lithium-ion batteries.

• ATL is a world-leading lithium-ion battery producer and manufacturer of quality rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells.

• Working together, AMB and ATL have signed a joint development agreement to accelerate the development of solvent-free dry electrode manufacturing processes that pave the way for low cost, high-performance, and environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery-production solutions.

AM Batteries (AMB), a pioneer in lithium-ion dry-electrode technology, and Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), a world leading innovator in lithium-ion battery production, announced they have teamed up to develop solvent-free electrode manufacturing technology for Li-ion cell production. The joint endeavor seeks to tackle some of the most critical challenges facing the Li-ion battery production industry: heavy carbon footprint, energy consumption, and high infrastructure cost derived from the current standard solvent evaporation process used for electrode fabrication. Leveraging key expertise in dry-electrode fabrication, which AMB developed, and the world-class commercial-scale battery-manufacturing team at ATL, both groups will work together to change the industry as a whole – both in terms of cost and environmental impact.

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“We have done our due diligence in searching out an innovative company that has a viable solution to these concerns. AMB’s electrostatic spray technology directly addresses these challenges and provides solutions for a long-term path for a healthier, greener planet.”

To produce key battery electrode components sustainably, AMB has developed a unique electrostatic- spray-deposition technique by which dry cathode and anode electrode materials are electrostatically charged and deposited onto metal-foil current collectors, which are then processed to their final state without the use of toxic solvents. This is a platform-technology innovation that enables significant reduction in operational costs from energy savings, reduction in electrode-coating capital equipment expenses, and reduction in physical footprint infrastructure requirements. Battery manufacturers also stand to benefit from a meaningful reduction in CO₂ emissions should they make batteries using AMB’s dry-electrode process. With the additional avenues for customization afforded by the dry process, AMB’s technology also offers a path to other benefits, such as faster-charging, higher energy density, and safer batteries with current and future battery chemistries. The AMB process may be further developed to integrate to full-scale production applications in collaboration with ATL’s subject matter experts.

“We are honored to team up with ATL, as both of our companies have as goals to live in and be a part of a sustainable planet,” stated Yan Wang, AMB CEO. “The demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to increase around the world. One of the fundamental problems for battery manufacturers is refining manufacturing techniques to remove the solvents used in ‘wet-coating’ of electrodes. Our dry-electrode manufacturing technology allows for the coating of lithium-ion battery electrodes without the need for any solvents or energy-intensive evaporation.”

ATL is known worldwide for its high-tech, high-volume prowess in developing, producing, and packaging high-quality rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells and packs. Its service, know-how, production capacity, and system-integration capability are category leading. Further, ATL’s specialization in high-energy density, high power, fast-charging batteries for applications ranging from smartphones and laptops all the way to drones, robots, and wearable devices makes them an ideal partner for developing high-value battery innovations.

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“We see the need for improvements in battery manufacturing in regard to cost, scale, and environmental impact issues,” said Joe Kit Chu Lam, ATL Executive Vice President. “We have done our due diligence in searching out an innovative company that has a viable solution to these concerns. AMB’s electrostatic spray technology directly addresses these challenges and provides solutions for a long-term path for a healthier, greener planet.”

AM Batteries, headquartered in Acton, MA, focuses on dry-electrode manufacturing for lithium-ion batteries. Compared to conventional slurry-casting approach, AMB’s technology completely eliminates solvent recovery and electrode drying, which reduces energy consumption of a battery plant by more than 45%, while saving 40% on capital equipment costs in electrode manufacturing. Beyond this, AMB’s technology paves the way for higher energy density, faster charging, and lower- cost lithium-ion batteries. AMB’s future-proof manufacturing technology can be leveraged for multiple types of battery-electrode fabrication.

Owned by Japanese multinational technology company TDK Corporation, Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) is the world’s leading producer and innovator of lithium-ion batteries. It is known worldwide for its high-tech, high-volume prowess in developing, producing, and packaging high quality rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells and packs. Working closely with world-renowned brands in smartphones, tablet and notebook OEMs, robots, VR/AR vanguards, and various wearable and smart-home technology trailblazers, ATL is helping the world connect better, last longer, live easier and fly higher. It is headquartered in Hong Kong.

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