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fluorinated Polymers
Kynar® pvdf
At the service of durability and performance of photovoltaic panels
and lithium ion batteries
Arkema’s solutions
The challenge
Over the 45 years of its existence,
Kynar® PVDF has established Arkema as the
world leader in the PVDF (polyvinylidene
fluoride) market, with a 40% market share.
Drawing on its remarkable properties,
Kynar® is the benchmark for durable
architectural coatings, oil and gas offshore
flexible pipes, as well as parts and coatings
for chemical engineering.
In recent years, in line with Arkema’s
long-term strategy, this specialty polymer
has found applications in the buoyant field
of new energies thanks to its unique
durability and resistance to weathering and
chemical attack. Still in its infancy just
5 years ago, the photovoltaic panel and
lithium ion battery market now accounts for
more than one quarter of Kynar® sales.
Pointers
• 1 out of 3 solar panels in the world
contains Kynar® PVDF film.
• Arkema anticipates an annual growth
of 10% to 20% for the photovoltaic market,
in particular thanks to solar park projects
planned in so-called “sun belt countries“
(sun-rich countries along the equator).
• 1/3 of lithium ion batteries fitted in
laptops, cell phones, tablets and smartphones
contain Kynar® PVDF. 15% annual growth
in this market.
• Around 10% annual growth in
the automotive lithium battery market.
For lithium ion batteries
Since 2000 Arkema has been developing
Kynar® PVDF grades for use as binders in
the manufacture of electrodes for lithium
ion batteries for electronic devices (cell
phones, laptops, smartphones, tablets).
These grades ensure perfect adhesion in
the manufacture of cathodes and anodes,
using just a small amount of Kynar® PVDF.
Thanks to its very high electrochemical
stability, Kynar® contributes to the long
life of batteries and improves their
performance.
In the last 5 years Arkema has developed
a Kynar® PVDF grade with a high
molecular weight specifically for cathodes
and anodes of batteries in hybrid and
electric vehicles. PVDF is the only binder
that fulfils the specification requirements of
electrodes in these batteries. Looking ahead
to the global development of electric
vehicles (5% share of all cars expected
by 2020), Kynar® should see secure growth,
in particular in China where Arkema has
been running a PVDF plant producing,
among others, battery grades since 2011.
For photovoltaic panels
Arkema was the first PVDF producer to
develop from 2000 a PVDF grade to
produce very thin (a few tens of microns)
and ultra tough film. Working with key
players in the field of laminated film,
Arkema was then able to develop a
multi-layer technical film core layer
for use as the backsheet of solar panels.
Kynar® Film helps protect them from
photo-ageing, while contributing to the
structure’s impermeability. Hence it plays a
role in extending the lifetime of the panels,
beyond 20 years.
The superiority of this solution did not take
long to win over panel manufacturers,
and so Arkema very quickly became
a benchmark in this market. Arkema
constantly develops new grades in order to
produce ever thinner and more competitive
film of equal performance.