KBR and ISU Advance Lithium Sulfide Technology to Commercial Scale for All-Solid-State Batteries

KBR and ISU Specialty Chemical Co. Ltd. have successfully progressed their PureLi2S™ lithium sulfide technology to commercial scale, marking a significant advancement in battery material production. This follows the successful operation of their pilot plant in Ulsan, Republic of Korea. Under a joint development agreement signed in 2023, the companies established a pilot plant that successfully produced battery-grade lithium sulfide, securing market acceptance. Insights from this phase, combined with KBR's process technology scale-up expertise, will be crucial in designing the commercial facility. KBR's PureLi2S™ technology is designed to produce battery-grade lithium sulfide for All-Solid-State Batteries (ASSBs). These batteries offer higher energy density, enhanced safety, and superior efficiency compared to conventional liquid electrolytes. The technology enables high-purity lithium sulfide production while minimizing off-spec material, addressing a critical challenge in battery material production. Hari Ravindran, Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions at KBR, stated that the collaboration extends two years of joint research and development to scale lithium sulfide production. Seung-Ho Lyu, CEO of ISU Specialty Chemical, noted that the Onsan plant's performance exceeded expectations, consistently producing on-spec lithium sulfide.