Senior Material Europe is an innovative company specialising in the development of green battery separator solutions integrated within the European battery value chain.
On 14 July 2021, the European Commission adopted a set of proposals to make the EU’s climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery sector is now a key market and Europe is working fast to build the Li-ion battery value chain and the battery ecosystem.
Under this background, Senior Material Europe, a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion battery separators, is seeking to fully integrate within the European lithium-ion battery industry and become a strategic and reliable partner to top European cell manufacturers. Senior started its operation in the first line of the European lithium-ion battery industry chain.
Furthering domestic supply chains
The materials and technology needed for the smart energy shift need to be brought together in regional supply chains to meet these non-negotiable sustainability targets. For Senior, Sweden is a natural base to be part of the European solution. Senior will build a mass production factory for battery separators in Sweden through two phases. Phase 1 will be in mass production in 2022 and, when Phase 2 is finished by 2024, it will gain 600 million square metres of lithium-ion battery separators annually, which can meet the demand for 60 GWh batteries, corresponding to about 550,000 zero-emission pure electric vehicles.
Leia Deng, Senior’s European Key Account Director, explained: “Sweden and the Nordics have the greenest and most cost-effective energy, as well as a good manufacturing base. The good social consensus about energy saving and emission reductions means our local workforce will be aligned with both our company mission and the wider agenda. Sweden is also a good end-consumer market for new energy, so being part of the ecosystem here is important for us on many different levels. The rapid development of the lithium-ion battery manufacturing industry in Sweden and the Nordics drew us here and our base in Eskilstuna, our first location in Europe, is perfectly situated with convenient transport links for our customers, as well as providing timely access to supplies that we need to produce our products.”
Innovation
Innovation is at the core of the company, which is imperative in the fast-paced, cutting-edge battery sector. Senior has found a natural home in Sweden, playing a critical role in the booming European battery cluster to bring much needed new materials to the green energy sector. The company’s ambitions for sustainable development align with the ambitions of industry and they are focused on supplying European top-level battery production and supporting ongoing growth.
Senior has been an innovative separator company since its foundation. It was the first dry separator breakthrough company in China. It focuses on the independent development and commercialisation of a dry separator by a new technical process and self-developed production lines. Senior is recognised for its dry product, and continues to push the envelope, successfully launching cutting-edge, brand-new product, such as the product adopted by BYD blade battery application.
It is also investing research and development (R&D) efforts to achieve the most efficient wet PE production line in the industry, and has launched mass production lines with very high unit capacity. Senior offers a broad range of coated products, including innovative high heat resistance coatings, unique UV cross-linked coating products, and nanofibre products with thin coating technology and attractive performance.
This approach to R&D is in high demand and aligns with the rapid innovation that is driving growth in the European battery cluster. Being close to the end customer means Senior can react swiftly to the needs of the market, as well as contribute knowledge to the ongoing innovation process.
Future direction of the battery industry
As part of the battery supply chain, Senior expects to see a variety of development trends within the battery industry in the future. There will be a continued need for a cost-effective and highly efficient production system for Li-ion batteries. The company also suggests that a shortage of battery material supply will lead to the development of new and cost-effective replacement materials for use as an alternative. It is hoped that the growing need for green energy and environmentally-friendly products and processes will lead to a significant improvement in the life, safety and reliability of batteries. Senior also hopes to see dynamic developments made in solid-state electrolytes.
Senior is deeply integrated in the lithium-ion battery value chain, supporting and contributing to the development of batteries to make them more sustainable, safe, cost-effective, green and environmentally friendly. As a niche and professional battery separator manufacturer, the company also hopes to lead and impart knowledge within its area of expertise.
Looking ahead
Senior Material Europe has clear strategic goals moving forward to further its position as a European lithium-ion battery separator manufacturer.
Its main focus is to become a market-leading manufacturer of green lithium-ion battery separators in Europe. To do this, the company also wishes to become fully integrated within the European battery value chain and become a strategic partner to top European cell manufacturers. Within this process, the manufacturer will hold its work to the highest safety, quality, value and delivery standards.
Please note, this article will also appear in the eleventh edition of our quarterly publication.
