Idemitsu and Toyota Collaborate to produce sold electrolytes

Combining Toyota's multi-pathway approach with Idemitsu's social application of energy one step ahead and materials is fostering BEV development, which is an essential step in the transition to carbon neutrality

Tokyo, Japan- Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., (Idemitsu) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced that they have entered into an agreement to work together in developing mass production technology of solid electrolytes, improving productivity and establishment a supply chain, to achieve the mass production of all-solid-state batteries for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Through this collaboration, the two companies, which lead in the fields including material development relating to all solid-state batteries, seek to ensure the successful commercialization of all-solid-state batteries in 2027-28.

Combining Toyota's multi-pathway approach with Idemitsu's social application of energy one step ahead and materials is fostering BEV development, which is an essential step in the transition to carbon neutrality. Idemitsu has been working on research and development on fundamental technologies for all-solid-state batteries since 2001, while Toyota started in 2006. These efforts are related to next-generation batteries that enable the evolution of BEVs.

Sulphide solid electrolytes, which are thought to be a promising material to attain high capacity and output for BEVs, are the focus of this partnership. Sulphide solid electrolytes are flexible and sticky to other materials, making them ideal for mass producing batteries.

Both businesses have formed a task group with numerous members to prepare for full-scale mass production, and they will proceed with their cooperation as follows

Details of collaboration 

Phase 1: Development of sulfide solid electrolytes and preparation for a large pilot facility

Idemitsu and Toyota will collaborate to develop better sulphide solid electrolytes, paying close attention to quality, cost, and lead times. Both companies believe that this will enable mass-production demonstration of sulphide solid electrolytes using an Idemitsu pilot facility.

Phase 2: Mass production using a large pilot facility

Idemitsu will advance the production of sulphide solid 2 electrolyte through the building and startup of a sizable pilot facility, and thereafter acquire the technologies needed for mass production. To enable the market introduction of BEVs with all-solid-state batteries in 2027–2028, Toyota will encourage the development of both all-solid-state batteries that use sulphide solid electrolytes and BEVs that contain the batteries.

Phase 3: Study of future full-scale mass production

Based on the results of Phase 2, both companies will study of future full-scale mass production and commercialization.

Using waste products produced during the refining of crude oil, Idemitsu has also been researching production techniques for lithium sulphide, an intermediate material for solid electrolytes. Additionally, in order to create a reliable supply system, it has been working on the development of mass production technologies for sulphide solid electrolytes.

Additionally, the company is continuing with the development of a big pilot plant announced in April 2022 while also gradually increasing the capacity of its small pilot facility, which will help to commercialise all-solid-state batteries in 2027–2028.

Both companies will work to achieve mass production of solid electrolytes and all-solid-state batteries suitable for widespread global use by combining their respective material development technologies with Idemitsu's material manufacturing technologies, Toyota's battery processing and assembly technologies, and other technologies acquired through the development of BEVs. Together, both businesses will help the world become carbon neutral and shape the future with Japanese-developed technologies.