| Work Detail |
Paper manufacturer Klabin and Senai Institute of Innovation (ISI) Electrochemistry are advancing an innovative project for lithium-ion batteries through a process that transforms Kraft lignin, a byproduct of cellulose processing, into hard carbon, creating sustainable alternatives for lithium-ion batteries, reducing costs and strengthening the national and international battery supply chain.
Klabin, in collaboration with Senai Institute of Innovation (ISI) Electrochemistry, is continuing with the project to develop hard carbon (HC) from Kraft lignin, a by-product of paper pulp processing. The second phase of the work seeks to consolidate the material as a competitive alternative to synthetic graphite for lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes, paving the way for more accessible and sustainable solutions in the energy storage market.
According to ISI Electrochemistry researcher Francisca Elenice de Oliveira, the project has focused from the beginning on modifying lignin to optimize its application as an anode. “The optimizations have focused on the control of the surface area, the distribution of the pores and the purity of the hard carbon. These factors are essential to increase the ion storage capacity and the effectiveness of the charge and discharge rates of the batteries. In the new phase, the expectation is to increase the production of the material and improve it even further, so that it can compete in performance with the commercial products already established on the market,” she explains.
Overcoming the technical challenges inherent in processing lignin has been a milestone in the project. Kraft lignin, which is amorphous and structurally irregular, has been transformed through pyrolysis processes, which alter its morphology and crystalline structure. The advances achieved so far include significant improvements in the electrochemical properties of the material. The next step will be to test the hard carbon in cylindrical battery prototypes, demonstrating its viability on an industrial scale.
The ISI Electrochemistry infrastructure, including the Pilot Plant for Batteries and Supercapacitors, is an essential element in this process. With state-of-the-art equipment for synthesizing and applying materials, the institute has enabled the complete development of the production chain, from coin-cell cells to cylindrical batteries. This technological advance not only increases the maturity of the project, but also expands the market potential of the solution.
With growing interest in alternatives to synthetic graphite, whose global production is dominated by China, hard carbon from Kraft lignin has emerged as a strategic option to reduce costs and strengthen the domestic and international battery supply chain. |
