Powertrain 2020 - The Future Drives Electric (PDF ... - Roland Berger

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"Powertrain 2020 – The Future Drives Electric"
4.2 Raw materials
The energy storage systems and electric motors of EVs and PHEVs require
specific raw materials. These materials are needed in large volumes for all
kinds of electrified powertrains, from mild hybrids to pure EVs.
4.2.1 Materials for Li-Ion batteries
Most battery suppliers currently focus on Li-Ion battery technology. This
technology is likely to determine the production ramp-up for the next five to
ten years. Although a number of alternative chemical compositions exist for
the anode, cathode and electrolyte, all suppliers will need a certain amount
of lithium or lithium carbonate as raw material.
Lithium is currently used in a variety of industries, including glass/
ceramics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, synthetic rubber, air-conditioning
systems, alloys and batteries. Global reserves are approximately 11 million
tons (lithium carbonate equivalent), with around 75% found in Chile and
Bolivia, 10% in China and 15% elsewhere. Some 25% of current annual
production is used for batteries, mainly for consumer products. 2)
Energy cells for EVs and power cells for hybrids will be the main source of
future increases in lithium demand. Despite these increases, experts are not
expecting a shortage on the supply side of lithium due to the high level of
reserves. However, there is a risk of temporary price increases such as have
been observed in recent years.
Li-Ion battery cathodes consist mainly of lithium-based composites such as
lithium metal phosphates. These are likely to be the key focus of research
in the coming years due to their advantages in terms of material costs and
safety. The composites need to be produced with a high level of purity and
homogeneity, which requires excellent production technology and process
expertise. For this reason, although the field is open to new players, it is
likely to be dominated by established players from the chemical industry
such as Süd-Chemie (Phostec Lithium) in Germany and 3M in the United
States.
For battery cell manufacturers, it will be crucial either to control the making
of cathode material composites in-house or to establish stable relationships
with key players in the field. Patent issues will further increase the complexity
of this critical part of the component-making value chain.
2) Source: US Geological Survey