In recent years, the environmental and health concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have garnered significant attention. PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals widely used in various industries, have come under scrutiny due to their persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and potential adverse effects on human health. Recognizing the urgency to address these concerns, regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have implemented and proposed new restrictions on PFAS. These restrictions are set to impact several sectors, including the battery industry, where PFAS are used in several battery materials. PFAS can be present in some electrolytes and separators, however the most prevalent is the production of binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is used in all conventional Li-ion batteries. This blog post aims to shed light on the latest PFAS restrictions and their implications for the battery industry.

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N-Methylpryrrolidone (NMP) is of the most commonly used solvents in battery production, however its health risks have led to increasingly restrictive policies regarding its use. Due to these risks and regulations, it is clear that battery makers will have to start searching for other options. Not only is NMP a danger to manufacturing plant workers, it also largely contributes to the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries. Until now, there have not been viable alternatives to NMP because of the need to dissolve fluorinated polymers in the electrode slurry.

There are many new and upcoming regulations in the battery industry for both the U.S. and EU. Now’s the time for battery makers to start making changes in order to keep up with compliance. The latest regulations can be broken down into several categories including carbon footprint, responsible sourcing, circularity, safety, and digital reporting.  While the EU regulations differ from those in the United States, manufacturers should prepare to be subject to both. This will keep an open door to selling and manufacturing EV batteries globally.

Today, many electric vehicles (EVs) are marketed as a “zero emission” alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles. While EVs do not emit greenhouse-gases when driven, the manufacturing and disposal of their batteries still generate a significant carbon footprint. Despite these challenges, EVs are still considered a big step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future.