Development of bio-sustainable binder for battery electrode manufacturing

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders make up around 2-3% of a lithium-ion batteries (LIB) electrode’s mass and are crucial for battery integrity, safety, and performance. However, with the European Chemicals Agency imposing bans on PVDF and other polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by 2030, the Swedish battery industry faces a pressing need for fluorine-free alternatives.

In collaboration with Northvolt, we are developing two novel bio-sourced binder chemistries to replace PVDF. The first is based on mono itaconic esters that are derived from citric acid, the other involves bio-derived Elastane, a form of segmented polyurethane that can be sustainably produced from corn-starch. Both chemicals demonstrate promising performance improvements over PVDF, with great potential for modification and greater performance.

Our joint efforts aim to fully develop these sustainable binder alternatives, addressing urgent environmental concerns and aligning with upcoming regulatory changes.