EV Battery Separator Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The global EV battery separator market is expected to account for a compound annual growth rate of 8.57% and increase from US$2.266 Billion in 2024 to account for US$4.029 Billion in 2029.

A multi-cell battery consists of an anode and a cathode that are separated from each other by an insulator known as the battery separator. Additionally, the separator is soaked in an electrolyte that assists in the flow of ions from the cathode into the anode when the battery is being charged while opposing the same process when the battery is being discharged. This type of separator is a non-conductive electrical insulator.

Separators are key components within the battery components and even have to be present since they keep the anodes and cathodes apart without preventing the movement of lithium ions (Li-ion) between them. In the contemporary Li-ion battery models, the cell volume occupied by the separator containing electrolyte is nearly three percent of the cell volume.

In commercially available lithium-ion batteries, polyolefin is used as a separator. It possesses excellent mechanical properties, high resistance to chemicals, and rather low cost. A polyolefin is a polymer produced when an olefin, ethylene, undergoes polymerization. Ethylene is a hydrocarbon that mostly comes from the chemical refining of crude oil, while polyolefin encompasses both polyethylene and polypropylene. Relative to the Li-ion battery, the separator is a porous material with a pore size of 30 to 100 nm.

Additionally, lithium-ion batteries, which have captured the US automotive industry over the past few years, are considered a viable solution in the fast-expanding EV market. The forecast indicates that EVs will be about 40% or more of the total passenger vehicles in the USA by 2030. The advancements witnessed in the EV industry in the past 15 years can almost be attributed to the innovation in lithium batteries.

EV battery separator market drivers

With the rise in the cost of diesel and petrol, consumers are more likely to own more EVs.

Rising interest in electronic drive vehicles (EDVs) is predicted to propel because people are demanding more fuel-efficient, high-performing, and less emission-based vehicles. The other factor of the industry is powered by lithium batteries, allowing for hybrids, plug-ins, full battery electrics, and vehicles like buses, taxis, and fleets, among others. Within this range of EDV battery cell configurations, Celgard lithium-ion battery separators have advantages in safety and energy, power performance optimal combinations. The company provides various separator solutions to address the several performance needs of EDV systems, including safety, chemical and dimensional stability, and cycle life.

Furthermore, Tekra’s Mylar and Melinex polyester films are provided in various thicknesses for use in lithium-ion battery insulation and separators, Kaladex films from DuPont Teijin Films are PEN films offered in considerable varieties of thicknesses alongside Teonex films from Toyobo Film Solutions Limited.

Another illustration of this is SETELA, which Toray Industries provided. This is a battery separator film of high performance and great reliability. It is often used as a separator material in secondary lithium-ion batteries in consumer electrical accessories and electric automobiles. Similarly, in November 2022, General Motors and Microvast made a joint venture to build a separator factory in the US. The new plant and separator project received support from a $200 million grant awarded to the US Department of Energy from its Battery Materials Processing and Manufacturing Initiative.

Currently, EVBs employ lithium-ion batteries only, and this trend is believed to continue in the coming years. Moreover, when designing and operating Li-ion batteries and related systems for the market, producers make sure that environmental, sustainable development issues such as appropriate life cycle management (repair and reuse, recycling or disposal) are addressed.

Rising demand for batteries is also expected to fuel the EV battery separator industry's growth. In 2022, the demand for automotive Li-ion batteries increased by approximately 65%, reaching 550 GWh, compared to around 330 GWh in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by a 55% rise in new registrations of electric passenger vehicles during the same period.

EV battery separator market geographical outlook

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness significant global EV battery separator market expansion.

The separation of EV batteries is forecast to be one of the lucrative markets in the Asia Pacific region owing to the growing usage of EVs within the region and the subsequent increase in the number of EVs manufacturing companies. In particular, China, Japan, and South Korea will lead the nations as they provide some government policy and funding for battery development while encouraging green energy techniques. Additionally, as this region leads in EV manufacturing, high-performance battery separators that are important for boosting battery performance and safety are in high demand.

According to statistics on EV sales published by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA) and the Japan Mini Vehicle Association (Zenkeijikyo), a total of 58,813 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) were sold in Japan as of the end of 2022, such rise representing 2.7 times growth from 2021. The ratio of BEVs to total passenger car sales also termed the BEV ratio, grew to 1.7 in 2022, an increase from 0.6 percent in 2021 before crossing the 1 percent figure for the first time. Further, BEV Sales in Japan would also cause sales of BEV motor vehicles to increase due to the strict target of 100% clean vehicles in the country set for 2035 while also considering the benefits of EVs outdoors.

Further, as stated by the IEA, it is estimated that 95% of the electric LDV lithium ion phosphate batteries used in the region were sourced from China, with BYD holding the largest market share at 50%. Tesla provided 15%, with its share of LFP batteries growing from 20% in 2021 to 30% in 2022. LFP batteries are used in around 85% of the cars manufactured by Tesla, most of which are produced in China.

Nonetheless, battery prices depend on the region, with the lowest being in China and the highest in the remainder of the Asia Pacific region. The differences in pricing are because approximately 65 percent of battery cells are manufactured in China, while more than 80 percent of cathodes come from there. This fast-changing scenario reinforces the importance of Asia Pacific in shaping the market for EV battery separators, which is aggressively competitive in establishing and enhancing technology to meet increasing demands.

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Report Coverage:

• Historical data & forecasts from 2022 to 2029
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The Global EV Battery Separator Market is analyzed into the following segments:

By Material Type

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Ceramic-Coated Separator
• Composite Separator
• Others

By End-Use Application

• Electric Vehicles (EVs)
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Others