Gotion launches production of LFP cathode materials

The Chinese battery cell manufacturer and Volkswagen partner Gotion High-Tech has started production of LFP cathode material in Hefei. The factory is expected to have an annual production capacity of 200,000 tonnes when completed.

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At the facility, Gotion produces the lithium iron phosphate cathode material that meets the requirements for battery cells with an energy density of 210 Wh/kg and more. However, it is not known with what capacity the plant will now go into operation – the expansion is to take place in a total of four phases. If all phases are of the same size, the capacity would now be around 50,000 tonnes.

As reported, the company wants to bring LFP cells with an energy density of 230 Wh/kg to series production by the end of this year. The cells with 210 Wh/kg are currently already being built in series, but probably still with purchased cathode materials. The step towards 230 Wh/kg is seen as very important by the company itself. During his appearance at the China EV100 Forum 2022, company CEO Li Zhen stated that NCM/NCA batteries could then be replaced by LFP batteries on a larger scale.

Recently, Gotion had expanded its battery cell production capacity by 30 GWh with the opening of two new sites. In addition to LFP cells, Gotion High-Tech is also working on semi-solid-state batteries. The target for energy density is 360 Wh/kg, according to Li. However, there is not yet a time frame for possible series production.

Update 22 November 2022:

The Chinese battery cell manufacturer and Volkswagen partner Gotion High-Tech has inaugurated the second expansion stage of its factory for LFP cathode material in Hefei. Production in the first expansion phase of 50,000 tonnes began in June this year, as reported above. Construction of the second phase for another 50,000 tonnes will now begin. It is not yet clear when the second construction phase for a total of 100,000 tonnes will be completed.

The first phase took about eight months from the groundbreaking ceremony to commissioning, but construction could be faster in the second phase due to some preliminary work. Once all four phases are completed, the factory in Hefei will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 tonnes.

gasgoo.com, update: gasgoo.com