BYK DEVELOPS FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE RESOURCE-SAVING EXPANSION OF ELECTROMOBILITY.
EFFICIENT BATTERY PRODUCTION
Around 20 years ago, during his studies at the University of Kyoto Institute of Technology, Yu Sugioka contributed to the development of sustainable technologies with his research. Since then, he has continued to evolve solutions for the future of mobility as a battery designer. In 2018, Sugioka joined ALTANA’s BYK division. Currently, in the Japanese battery laboratory, he is dedicated to crafting products that contribute to the resource-efficient growth of electromobility.
THE NUMBER OF ELECTRIC CARS IS INCREASING SHARPLY WORLDWIDE. At their heart is the battery. More precisely, the high-voltage battery. As the equivalent of a conventional fuel tank, it significantly influences the vehicle’s range. Manufacturers are actively engaged in advancing the technology with a focus on achieving faster charging times and optimal energy storage for extended ranges.
TO ENHANCE THESE PROPERTIES, BYK additives are used. “We strive daily to develop innovative solutions that pave the way for the future of electromobility,” explains Yu Sugioka. “Our research not only aims at improving battery characteristics but also concentrates on improving the efficiency of our customers’ production processes.” For instance, dispersing additives ensure that electrode material needed for battery production can be produced with reduced energy consumption.
Even as a child, Yu Sugioka wanted to make the world a better place. At BYK, he is helping to develop future technologies for the expansion of electromobility.
GLOBAL RESEARCH IS CONSOLIDATED within highly specialized battery laboratories in Japan, China, and Germany. BYK initiated the establishment of the Japanese research facility already in 2015, providing a significant benefit for customers, particularly those in the automotive industry. According to Sugioka, “The development and testing of additives used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, for example, impose specific demands on the employed testing procedures and necessary equipment. By centralizing research, we possess the capability to conduct complex and time-consuming tests. Concurrently, we continually enhance the knowledge accumulated over many years, facilitating the development of even more effective solutions.”
CUSTOMERS VALUE THE SOLUTIONS EXPERTISE of the global development team. To address the growing demand, the battery laboratory has undergone substantial expansion. “We have doubled in size,” says Sugioka. “More importantly, though, we have procured laboratory equipment. As a result, we can provide even better support for the expansion of electromobility through the development of additives.”
THIS MOTIVATION ALSO RESONATES WITH YU SUGIOKA ON A PERSONAL LEVEL: “Even as a child, I aspired to contribute to making the world a better place. During my studies, I initially focused on solar cells, but later shifted to battery research. Through my role at BYK, I am now able to collaborate with customers in the development of future technologies, facilitating the resource-saving expansion of electromobility.”