Previously on...

3、 From Laboratory to Production Line: Several Typical Gameplays of HNBR in Lithium Batteries

1. As a positive electrode binder - the protagonist of "direct entry"

Existing patents and publicly available materials use HNBR with specific hydrogenation degree and ACN content as the positive electrode binder, partially replacing PVDF binder to achieve better comprehensive performance, while also having advantages in safety and environmental protection.

The typical characteristics are:

·Strong adhesion and good mechanical properties of the polarizer

·Small swelling in electrolyte and stable structure

·Possible reduction in organic solvent usage in some scenarios

For energy storage and electric vehicle batteries that pursue long lifespan and high reliability, this "more stable" positive electrode bonding system is particularly attractive.

2. As a dispersant for conductive agent slurries such as CNT/graphene

Another faster way to land is to use HNBR as a key dispersant in the conductive pre dispersed slurry:

·Introducing HNBR into conductive agents such as CNT/graphene to prepare a pre dispersed slurry

·Add it to the positive electrode active material slurry in proportion again

Practice has shown that using the HNBR pre dispersion system can improve the depolymerization and dispersion of conductive agents, reduce electrode internal resistance, and maintain the continuity of the conductive network while also maintaining lower viscosity, which is beneficial for the production of thick coated high-pressure solid electrodes.

3. Extend to next-generation systems such as negative electrodes, high silicon, and solid-state batteries

In academia, many teams are still exploring the design and application of hydrogenated nitrile rubber and its derivative grades as positive and negative electrode binders. By constructing a rigid flexible multiple network with other additives, they can adapt to the large volume expansion of silicon-based negative electrodes, significantly improve cycle life, or serve as binders in solid-state batteries to improve interface problems.

The signals conveyed by these studies are very clear:

HNBR and its family are no longer just "sealing ring materials", but are becoming a part of the structural design of lithium electrode sheets.

4、 Industry Trend: A Rising "Ten Thousand Ton Class" New Track

If you stretch the timeline, you will find that HNBR is not only technically "feasible", but also "promising" in the industry.

·According to research institutions, as of 2024, the size of China's HNBR market has exceeded 1.2 billion yuan. With the increasing demand for new energy vehicles, oil and gas equipment, lithium batteries, and other industries, the overall growth rate is still relatively high;

·From the perspective of global production capacity, the total production capacity of international leading enterprises is in the 20000 ton level. In recent years, China has rapidly caught up, and as of the end of 2023, China's HNBR production capacity is about 10000 tons per year, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's total.

From the demand side:

·New energy vehicles: high nickel, high voltage, fast charging, with more stringent requirements for the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the electrode plates

·Energy storage power station: requires 6000-10000 cycles or even higher, extremely sensitive to the "anti fatigue" ability of the bonding system

·Exploration of new systems: High voltage manganese based, solid/semi-solid, sodium ions, etc., with increasing requirements for binders, dispersants, electrolyte resistance, temperature resistance, and compatibility

From the supply side, the number of enterprises that can stably supply lithium grade HNBR and have the ability to co create formulas is still limited. The pattern of "whoever stands firm first will benefit first" is already quite clear.

In such a time window, the significance of HNBR to the entire lithium battery industry may be far more than just "another material choice", but more like:

Help the polarizer find a new balance point under the triple constraints of "higher energy density, longer lifespan, and higher safety".

5、 Chambroad Sinopoly: From Special Rubber Base to HNBR New Force

Who are we?

Chambroad Sinopoly. is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, production, sales, and service of special synthetic rubber. It is located in the Economic Development Zone of Boxing County, Binzhou, Shandong Province and is one of the core subsidiaries of Chambroad high-performance materials sector.

Our company's products have long served the fields of tire airtight layers, medicinal rubber plugs, inner tubes, waterproof materials, new foam materials, etc. We have successively passed the IATF16949, ISCC PLUS and other system certifications, and have been awarded honors such as the national level specialized and innovative "Little Giant", national level green factory, China's top 100 rubber industry enterprises, and provincial-level green low-carbon enterprises.

In summary:

We are not a chemical factory that does a little bit of everything, but players who firmly bet on the long slope of rubber materials.

Entering the factory of Chambroad Sinopoly in Boxing High tech Industrial Development Zone, the tall reaction towers and containers are neatly arranged from north to south according to the process flow, with a high degree of automation. The factory area is quiet and tidy, and there is almost no odor - this is a true record of our "from tire to tire" green cycle process by foreign media.

Relying on the complete refining and new materials industry chain of Chambroad   Holdings, Chambroad Sinopoly has built the largest production base for butyl rubber in China, with multiple modern production lines including ordinary butyl, chlorinated butyl, and brominated butyl. Among them, the single line production capacity of brominated butyl rubber unit reaches 70000 tons/year, which is at the leading level in China.

At the same time, we have also laid out bio based new materials, such as the approved construction and industrialization of a 10000 ton/year bio based itaconic acid ester rubber production line, providing lower carbon and more sustainable solutions for fields such as tires, shoe materials, and medical gloves.

These mature large-scale facilities, experiences, and systems are the foundation for us to do HNBR:

·Complete raw materials and supporting utilities

·Multiple sets of mature large-scale rubber polymerization and post-treatment equipment

·Complete safety, environmental protection, and quality control system

·And a team of engineers who have repeatedly fought from butyl to bio-based rubber

When HNBR moves from the laboratory to pilot testing and then to industrialization, these foundations will be directly reflected in product consistency, delivery reliability, and supply certainty.

Next article outlook