Page 161 - CW E-Magazine (20-2-2024)

News from Abroad

electrolysis process using renewable trolyte membrane) that can efficiently water electrolysers. This series features
energy sources. The water electroly- utilise these power sources. In addition, high voltage performance to suppress
sers currently in use today are mainly fluoropolymers are attracting attention power consumption and high gas barrier
alkaline systems, which is suitable for as a material that can extend the performance, which is important for
power sources with stable load, such as usable period of ion-exchange membranes operational safety of water electroly-
hydroelectric power. However, they are used in PEM systems, according to sers. These characteristics are based on
not suitable for power sources where AGC. To address growing demand for the polymer design and membrane for-
the load fluctuates easily, such as solar green hydrogen, AGC has decided to mation technologies AGC has cultiva-
power. Therefore, there is growing build the new mass production faci- ted over many years. Pilot sales began
interest in the PEM systems (proton-ex- lity for the Forblu S-Series of fluorina- in 2017, and the series has been applied
change membrane, or polymer-elec- ted ion-exchange membranes for PEM by wide range of customers since then.

RAISING CAPACITIES
Groupe Berkem acquires factory in Spain from Givaudan

Groupe Berkem, France-based tial investments, should enable us to
specialist in bio-based chemistry, has reinforce our industrial facilities dedi-
inked a deal with Swiss flavours & fra- cated to plant extraction and signifi-
grances major, Givaudan, concerning cantly increase our production capacity
the acquisition of their industrial site, to meet the growing demand from manu-
Naturex Iberian Partners, in Valencia, facturers for sustainable solutions,”
Spain. The Valencia site specialises in stated Mr. Olivier Fahy, Chairman and
the extraction of plant and marine pro- CEO of Groupe Berkem.
ducts for players in the food, nutrition
(nutraceuticals) and cosmetics markets. According to the agreement, the
marine ingredients production activity
With this acquisition, Groupe will transfer to the group. “This new, carried out for Givaudan will continue
Berkem said it significantly increases structural acquisition will enable us to in the form of a long-term partnership.
its production capacity in plant extrac- pursue the internationalisation drive Groupe Berkem plans to make impor-
tion for its ‘Health, Beauty and Nutri- initiated last year with our entry into tant investments at its new production
tion’ division. As part of this transac- North America. The site we are acquir- site, notably in capacity to ensure the
tion, 47 employees at the Valencia site ing, in which we plan to make substan- gradual ramp-up of the site.
General Motors signs $19-bn deal with LG Chemicals

for EV battery materials

US auto giant General Motors (GM) powering vehicles with cluding Ultium Cells LLC,
and South Korean battery supplier LG a range exceeding 300- an entity formed in collabo-
Chem have inked a $19-bn deal. The miles. Notably, this sup- ration with LG Energy
agreement, spanning roughly the next ply is projected to fuel Solution. By strengthening
decade, is set to redefine the landscape approximately five mil- the regional supply chain,
of electric vehicle (EV) production and lion EVs, underlining the partnership aims to bol-
marks one of the largest supply con- GM’s ambitious EV production targets. ster EV production in North America,
tracts in GM’s history. The deal outlines catering to the burgeoning market
LG Chem’s commitment to supplying The cathode materials will be demand. This deal builds upon the
GM with more than 500-kt of crucial sourced from LG Chem’s state plant foundation laid by GM and LG Chem’s
cathode materials between 2026 and currently under construction in initial agreement in 2022, wherein LG
2035. These materials, including nickel, Tennessee (USA). This strategic location Chem committed to supplying GM
cobalt, manganese and aluminium, aligns with GM’s joint venture battery with 968-kt of cathode active material
are vital components for EV batteries, cell plants across North America, in- through 2030.

Chemical Weekly February 20, 2024 161

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