Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has introduced stringent safety standards for electric vehicle batteries, emphasizing the need for "non-flammability and non-explosiveness," which will be implemented from July 1, 2026. This raises the safety performance requirements for lithium batteries, particularly the separators, which are crucial for enhancing battery safety [1]. Industry Overview - In 2024, 380,700 new energy vehicles were recalled due to fire risks, with 74% (283,000 vehicles) directly related to battery issues. Most fire incidents were caused by mechanical damage to the separator during collisions, leading to internal short circuits and thermal runaway [1]. - The core cause of fires is short circuits, and the separator acts as a physical barrier between the positive and negative electrodes. Its strength and thermal stability are critical for safety [1]. Separator Safety Challenges - Innovations in separators have primarily focused on functional coating improvements, with 72% of global lithium battery separator patents from 2018 to 2023 related to coating technology. In contrast, core innovations in base film performance only accounted for 18%, leading to a persistent "safety-energy-lifetime" dilemma in the lithium battery industry [1][2]. - The innovation in base films is essential to overcome the industry's safety bottlenecks, as highlighted by the need to return to base film innovation as a core research and development strategy [2]. Technical Barriers - Three major technical barriers must be overcome for base film innovation: precise control of polymer crystallization orientation, nano-level regulation of micropore structures, and stability in stretching processes for mass production consistency [2]. Company Innovations - Enjie Co., as a global leader in separators, has proactively focused on base film innovations since 2016, achieving significant breakthroughs in molecular chain structure reconfiguration. This has resulted in a revolutionary design that enhances safety and performance, with the breaking temperature of high-safety base film products increasing from 150°C to 230°C [3]. - Enjie’s 5μm base film has a puncture strength exceeding 550gf, maintaining high strength even at extreme thinness, thus providing dual insurance for battery safety [3]. Product Matrix - Enjie has developed a comprehensive ecosystem of high-safety separator products, including the X series high-safety base films and various coated separators designed to withstand high temperatures and enhance safety [5]. - The upcoming implementation of new national standards is expected to drive profound changes in the separator industry, with companies capable of self-research in base films gaining significant supply chain leverage [5]. Future Implications - The ongoing "fundamental scientific revolution" in base film innovation is reshaping the safety boundaries of lithium batteries, opening possibilities for future high-energy-density batteries [6].
锂电池安全革命:恩捷股份引领高安全基膜技术突破