Cobalt-free LFP batteries in the plans of LG Energy Solution?

If we are to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement, we will have to make our economy dependent on batteries on many fronts. Both the mobile ones (for phones, cars, gadgets) and stationary ones with a view to storing energy surpluses from renewable energy farms. Hence, there is so much mention of the development of batteries, among which cobalt-free LFP batteries have recently gained special attention.

LFP batteries are apparently making a comeback. After improving their energy density, more and more companies are interested in them, including, apparently, LG Energy Solution

Apparently, because only the website claims that at the moment The Elec, LG Energy Solution, one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world, plans to expand its offer with batteries LFP. It is short for chemical composition itself Lithium Iron Phosphate used in batteries, which in Polish you can recognize as lithium-iron-phosphate.

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This one is safer and more durable than the commonly used lithium-ion batteries, which in recent times is gaining popularity again thanks to CATL or BYD. However, this is mainly due to the lower price and the materials used for production, among which we will not find the limited resources of nickel or cobalt on Earth, which are still used by Li-Ion batteries.

Today, LG Energy Solution has apparently been driven by the pursuit of the highest energy density and reduction in cobalt use. This is confirmed by the use of chemistry in their batteries to create NCM-type cathodes (consisting of nickel, cobalt and manganese) and the recent switch to NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum). However, according to the source, the company realized that cobalt-free LFP batteries, despite their lower energy density, have solid business potential.

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The example of using LFP batteries in the Tesla Model 3 clearly demonstrates their potential

Recently, cobalt-free LFP batteries have reportedly started to gain in the energy density of their cells, which confirms that Tesla has recently used them not only on the Chinese market. Recently, the company introduced the Model 3 Standard Range Plus with LFP batteries from CATL to its offer for American customers. Compared to the same version, but with NCA batteries, the range turned out to be smaller (407 vs 423 km) after charging to 100%. However, as it is better to charge NCA batteries up to 90% to extend their life, the batteries in the field of range won (407 vs 381 km).

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The Model 3 SR + example shows perfectly that the potential in cobalt-free LFP batteries is still there, but their lower energy density requires more magnificent packages, which ultimately conquers the mass of cars. In other words, at the moment LFP batteries can be an alternative to standard ones, e.g. in the automotive industry, but at the cost of greater weight, and thus reduced performance, or faster tire wear.

LG Energy Solution’s entry into these cobalt-free batteries is currently a mystery, but South Korean media reports that the first pilot plant for their production will be ready in 2022.