Evonik and Vestaro have been working for some months on the production of a lightweight and cost-effective battery for electric vehicles, which is why they have used aluminum and glass fiber in the casing with the intention of obtaining more performance without losing sight of the safety standards used by other energy sources with other materials.
The new generation of batteries has been called “pure performance”, based on Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) technology manufactured with Evonik’s curing agents. This new concept offers, according to its creators, cost-effective, safer and lighter solutions compared to those using heavier weight materials.
The work obtained in recent months has been the product of an effort that began in 2019, when Vestaro developed a new cover for the battery casings with fiberglass and aluminum, as part of initial research to come up with alternative solutions in energy sources.
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The weight of the battery has been reduced by 10% compared to the materials that are regularly used. In addition, the performance is the same but with the difference that there is greater freedom at the time of full integration.
“Our new battery pack is designed for performance and it is the exceptional properties of our VESTALITE curing agents that give the unique Epoxy-SMC casing its excellent performance and safety potential in terms of fire resistance and crash behavior,” said Sebastian de Nardo, Marketing Manager Adhesives and Composites at Evonik.
The housing has been successfully integrated into the so-called “pure performance battery,” which is 2.1 meters long by 1.58 meters wide, adapting to a variety of vehicles available on the market. The current charging system offers energy replenishment between 10% and 80% in as little as 13 minutes, with power ratings exceeding 200 kW. However, Evonik and Vestaro are working to bring the total time to less than 10 minutes.
About Evonik
Evonik is a specialty chemicals company with a presence in more than 100 countries. The company goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions for customers.
About Vestaro
Combining expertise in engineering and specialty chemicals, Vestaro was formed in 2017 as a joint venture of Evonik and Forward Engineering. Headquartered in Munich, the company supports automakers with customized composite matrix systems and consulting services that help them deliver efficient manufacturing processes and lightweight vehicle construction.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
