In order to alleviate range anxiety and improve charging efficiency, electric vehicles are developing in the direction of high-voltage fast charging, but it also brings new safety challenges. How to ensure safety in high-voltage and high-current environments? As a high-performance additive, halogen-free flame retardants can meet this industry problem.
At the recent Chinaplas 2024, specialty chemicals company Clariant highlighted its latest Exolit® OP 1400 halogen-free flame retardant, which can help the new energy vehicle industry better achieve high-voltage fast charging. With the commissioning of its Daya Bay halogen-free flame retardant production site, Clariant will also provide localized solutions to more Chinese automotive customers.
科莱恩Chinaplas 2024展台
High-performance solutions to meet industry challenges
"While China's new energy vehicle industry is developing rapidly, it is also ushering in new challenges. One of the biggest challenges comes from the high-voltage, high-current fast charging system. At the media conference the day before Chinaplas 2024 was officially held, Bin Liu, Sales Director of Polymer Solutions for Clariant's Adsorbents & Additives business unit, Greater China, said.
Bin Liu, Sales Director, Greater China, Polymer Solutions, Clariant's Adsorbents & Additives business unit
When it comes to the safety and fire protection requirements of high-voltage fast charging, Clariant's halogen-free flame retardants can play an active role. Liu Bin further explained: "First of all, as the voltage of electric vehicles increases, the requirements for fire resistance are getting higher and higher. Clariant's halogen-free flame retardants offer excellent flame retardant properties and meet the increasing demands on electrical properties. Secondly, halogen-free flame retardants have a small overall density, which can meet the lightweight needs of the automotive industry and help to save energy and reduce consumption of electric vehicles. In addition, halogen-free flame retardants have low toxicity, and smoke toxicity during combustion has natural advantages over other flame retardants. ”
Clariant's Exolit® OP 1400 is a high-performance, halogen-free flame retardant that enables higher voltage charging of electric vehicles to meet the needs of high-voltage fast charging.
Clariant's Exolit® OP 1400 in e-mobility
Compared with the traditional 12-volt internal combustion engine voltage system, the charging voltage of high-voltage fast charging of electric vehicles can be as high as 1000 volts, which is prone to the risk of short circuit, and the charging system needs to have higher resistance to tracking and flame retardancy. Exolit® OP 1400 can help customers meet these requirements. In addition, Exolit® OP Terra, based on renewable carbon, can further drive the industry's transition to a more circular nature.
Localized production and R&D drive innovation in China
In the process of electrification transformation of the automotive industry, the Chinese market is undoubtedly the fastest. In 2023, China's new energy vehicle sales have reached 9.495 million units, a year-on-year increase of 37.9%, and the market share will reach 31.6%. In the face of the fast-growing Chinese market and the new needs that arise from it, localization is particularly important.
Recognizing the potential of the Chinese market, Clariant decided to establish a halogen-free flame retardant production site in Daya Bay, Huizhou, with the first line already in operation in October 2023 and a second line under construction, which is expected to start production in 2024. According to reports, the total investment of the two production lines reached 100 million Swiss francs (about 790 million yuan).
In addition to local production, Clariant's integrated campus in Shanghai can also be used for local development and application testing. According to Zhigang Miao, Senior Vice President of Clariant's Polymer Solutions business unit Adsorbents & Additives, "Clariant's Verbund has established a relatively complete application, testing and R&D team, and we first analyze the technical needs of our customers in the Verbund and then consider where it is more appropriate to do R&D. Clariant's China team is already able to help customers solve many challenges, and we will continue to introduce new products that are driven by the needs of Chinese customers. ”
It is worth mentioning that Clariant has developed a new product, Exolit® OP 1420 (TP), locally. The product maintains the excellent performance of the Exolit® OP 1400 series as a whole, but has been optimized and adjusted locally in raw materials, using local raw materials from China, and the overall performance can meet the high-voltage requirements of 600 volts and above for electric vehicles. In addition, the product also has the characteristics of no precipitation, low mold scale, and high cost performance.
Zhigang Miao, Senior Vice President, Polymer Solutions, Clariant's Adsorbents & Additives business unit
Talking about China's new energy vehicle market, which is becoming increasingly involuted, Miao Zhigang said that the reason for involution is homogenization, which may lead to vicious competition, and only innovation can lead to development. "Clariant has a strong focus on innovation, and we will continue to improve the quality of our products and broaden the range of applications. Through innovation and localization, Clariant is able to create value for its customers. ”
It is worth mentioning that Clariant also hopes to jointly promote industry innovation through cooperation between the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain. In November 2023, Clariant signed an agreement with component company Busbar and material supplier BASF for the joint development of new materials for high-standard high-power charging systems.
Under the agreement, Busbar will dominate the market and product development to drive the high-power charging system market globally. Clariant and BASF are responsible for the development of new materials that match the high demands of high-power charging systems. The three parties will make use of their respective technological advantages to carry out research, development, testing and production of new materials, jointly promote the development of high-power charging systems, and provide more efficient, safer and more sustainable charging solutions for global users.
From "In China, For China" to "In China, For the World", Clariant will continue to invest in the Chinese market in the future. "By combining innovation with sustainability criteria, Clariant's solutions are helping customers create products that are designed to perform better. Clariant will also remain committed to driving the industry's transition to a circular economy and working towards a safer world. Miao Zhigang said.