Arkema and Semcorp form a strategic partnership to advance battery separator technology, enhance global expansion, and support safer, high-performance energy storage solutions.
Arkema, a prominent global name in the field of Specialty Materials, has entered into a significant new phase of collaboration with Semcorp, one of the world’s foremost producers of lithium-ion battery separators. The two companies have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a long-term strategic partnership designed to accelerate innovation in separator technologies and reinforce Semcorp’s ongoing global expansion efforts.
Through this partnership, Arkema will extend its advanced material solutions, technical expertise, and application support to help Semcorp strengthen the performance and market reach of its high-quality separator products. These separators play a crucial role across several fast-growing industries, notably Electric Vehicles (EVs), Energy Storage Systems (ESS), and Consumer Electronics. By bringing their strengths together, the companies intend not only to enhance existing separator technologies but also to co-develop next-generation solutions that can provide improved safety, durability, and energy efficiency.
Battery separators serve as a fundamental safety component in lithium-ion battery architecture. Positioned between the anode and cathode, they prevent internal short circuits while allowing ions to move freely within the cell. The materials and structural characteristics of separators significantly influence the overall efficiency, safety performance, thermal management, and longevity of battery systems. In a global landscape that increasingly depends on electrification and renewable energy integration, advancements in separator technology are essential.
Arkema has an extensive history of supplying high-performance materials to the battery industry. Its well-known portfolio includes Kynar® PVDF and Incellion™ acrylic-based products, both engineered to meet the rising global demand for enhanced battery safety and reliability. These materials are designed to support the growing shift toward electric mobility and large-scale clean energy storage solutions. With decades of innovation behind it, Arkema’s contribution to this collaboration is positioned to be a key driver in further advancing separator performance.
Semcorp, headquartered in China and recognized for its leadership in separator manufacturing, supplies major global battery producers and is rapidly expanding its international footprint. By partnering with Arkema, Semcorp seeks to accelerate the development of cutting-edge separator technologies essential for next-generation batteries—systems that demand superior safety, thermal stability, and long-term reliability.
Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and CEO of Arkema, emphasized the significance of this alliance, noting that combining Arkema’s material expertise with Semcorp’s deep specialization in separator production will be crucial for fostering breakthroughs in an industry undergoing rapid transformation. Similarly, Tony Xiaohua Li, CEO of Semcorp, expressed strong confidence in the partnership, highlighting that Arkema’s advanced materials—especially its renowned Kynar® PVDF platform—complement Semcorp’s strengths and will enable both companies to fortify their leadership positions globally.
The newly signed MoU ultimately represents an important milestone for both organizations. It underscores their shared vision of strengthening the global battery ecosystem and accelerating the transition toward cleaner transportation and sustainable energy storage through the development of advanced, high-performance materials.
