Top 09 Cathode Material Suppliers | Pioneering Sustainable Battery Solutions

• • Umicore: Materials technology company (Belgium)
  • Focuses on recycled precious metals, battery materials & catalysts
  • World’s largest precious metal recycler
  • Sustainable company with awards for recycling tech

LG Chem

LG Chem Ltd., established in 1947, is the largest chemical company in South Korea and was ranked as the 9th largest chemical company globally by sales in 2021. Initially founded as the Lucky Chemical Industrial Corporation, focusing on cosmetics, it has now transitioned to a purely business-to-business entity. LG Chem operates across three main business areas:

Petrochemicals, Advanced Materials, and Life Sciences. The company is a key player in supplying materials for various industries, including petrochemicals, IT and electronics materials, and energy solutions. It boasts a significant global presence with eight factories in South Korea and a network of business locations in 15 countries​

• Founded: 1947 (as Lucky Chemical Industrial Corporation)
• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
• Parent Organization: LG Corp
• CEO: Hak Cheol Shin (as of Jan 2019)
• Current Status: Independent Chemical Company
• Business Focus: Petrochemicals, Advanced Materials, Life Sciences
• Sustainability Efforts: Carbon neutrality by 2040, development of sustainable solutions
• Recent Developments: OceanBoundPlastic initiative, transparent antenna film technology

Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey is a British multinational specialty chemicals and sustainable technologies company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1817, the company has grown to become a leader in its field, with operations worldwide. Johnson Matthey’s expertise lies in the science of making complex materials perform better and is known for its commitment to sustainable technologies.

• Johnson Matthey is a British multinational specialty chemicals and sustainable technologies company headquartered in London, England.
• Founded in 1817, it has a long history of innovation in science.
• Focuses on developing clean technologies for a better future, aiming for a world that’s cleaner and healthier.
• Products include catalysts for emission control in vehicles (catalytic converters), pharmaceutical chemicals, and battery materials.
• World leader in sustainable technologies.

Targray Technology International

Targray Technology International Inc. is a multinational company specializing in materials and commodities for the renewable energy and technology sectors. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec, Canada, Targray has established itself as a leading global provider of materials for photovoltaics, batteries, and biofuels, supporting the growth of energy solutions that are sustainable and efficient.

• Founded in 1987, headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec, Canada.
• Operates in over 50 countries.
• Products include:
  • Agricultural commodities (pulses, cotton)
  • Biofuels
  • Environmental commodities (carbon trading)
  • Battery materials (lithium-ion)
  • Solar photovoltaics
  • Optical disc materials

Sumitomo Metal Mining

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (SMM) is a Japanese company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, engaged in the business of metal mining, smelting and refining, and materials science. It is one of the leading companies in the mining and metals sector, with a history that dates back to the 17th century as part of the Sumitomo Group, a keiretsu with diverse interests ranging from banking to manufacturing.

• Sumitomo Metal Mining (founded 1590): A Japanese mining and metals company with a long history (over 420 years!).
• Focus: Non-ferrous metals (excluding aluminum) – mining, smelting, processing.
• Also produces: Electronics materials, chemicals, and construction materials.
• Sustainability focus: Committed to environmental and social responsibility.
• Goal: Become the world leader in the non-ferrous metals industry while contributing to a sustainable society.

Nichia Corporation

Nichia Corporation is a Japanese chemical engineering and manufacturing company founded in 1956, headquartered in Anan, Tokushima, Japan. It is renowned for its development and manufacturing of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and phosphors. Nichia is considered a global leader in the LED industry, credited with the invention of the blue LED, a breakthrough that significantly contributed to the advancement of energy-efficient lighting solutions worldwide.

• Nichia Corporation (founded 1956): A Japanese leader in chemicals, specifically: Phosphors (including those for LEDs), Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Laser Diodes (LDs)
• Claim to fame: Developed the world’s first high-brightness blue LED in 1993, a breakthrough in LED technology.
• Other products: Cathode materials, magnetic materials, and calcium chloride.
• Sustainability efforts: Environmentally conscious practices and social responsibility initiatives.

NEI Corporation

NEI Corporation is a company that specializes in the development and manufacture of advanced materials, with a strong focus on nanotechnology. Founded in 1997 and based in Somerset, New Jersey, USA, NEI has established itself as a leader in providing materials science solutions to enhance the performance and reliability of a wide range of products across various industries.

• NEI Corporation: A New Jersey-based company that develops and manufactures advanced materials since 1997.
• Specializes in:
  • Nanotechnology for material design
  • Functional coatings with properties like anti-corrosion, self-healing, and ice-phobic properties
  • Battery materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries
• Services: Material research and development, Characterization and analysis, Corrosion testing, Electrospinning
• Focuses on application-driven solutions: tailoring materials to meet specific customer needs.

POSCO Chemical

POSCO Chemical, a subsidiary of the global steel giant POSCO, operates within the chemicals and advanced materials sector, focusing on the development and production of key materials essential for the energy, construction, and automotive industries. Headquartered in South Korea, POSCO Chemical exemplifies innovation and sustainability in its operations, aligning with the broader POSCO Group’s commitment to technological advancement and environmental responsibility.

• POSCO Future M (formerly POSCO Chemical): South Korean battery material & chemical company (founded 1971).
• Focus:
  • Battery materials (cathodes, anodes) for lithium-ion batteries.
  • Basic industrial materials (refractories, quicklime).
  • Advanced chemical materials (carbon materials, hydrogen peroxide).
• Recent development: Expanding production capacity of synthetic graphite anode materials, a key component in lithium-ion batteries.

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