Battery expansions: UBE breaks ground on Li-on battery feedstock facility in US; PCBL to build India’s first acetylene black plant

Japan’s UBE Corp recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) plant in Louisiana, US. The plant will produce 100,000 tonnes/year of DMC and 40,000 tonnes/year of EMC. The plant is scheduled for completion in July 2026 and will begin operation in November of the same year.

DMC and EMC are key components of the electrolyte solvent for lithium-ion batteries, which are expected to see increased demand for BEVs, HEVs, and ESS.

DMC is also used as a material of the developer in semiconductor manufacturing process. The new plant will produce DMC using UBE’s proprietary gas-phase nitrite process, which features lower energy consumption, higher quality, and fewer by-products and impurities compared to ethylene-based process, it says.

“The investment in this plant is the largest in the manufacturing facility in UBE’s corporate history.” said Masato Izumihara, President/Representative Director of UBE Corporation. “As the sole DMC and EMC manufacturer in the United States, the company will achieve high productivity and supply products with very little waste and emission while also realising various synergy effects with its newly acquired high-performance urethane systems business.”

In related news, Indian firm PCBL Chemical Ltd has announced a significant expansion in its specialty chemical portfolio by entering the acetylene black production market. The company has signed a technology transfer agreement with Chinese manufacturer Ningxia Jinhua Chemical Co to bring acetylene black production to India.

Acetylene black is a high-end conductive grade chemical with applications in high voltage power cables, Li-ion batteries, EV charging, semiconductor packaging and conductive plastics, paints & coatings applications. The company says the market size of acetylene blacks, which is currently around 60,000 tonnes, is estimated to increase by around 19-20% CAGR and reach around 150,000 tonnes by 2030.

By setting up India’s first acetylene black plant, PCBL Chemical says it aims to reduce dependence on imports, ensuring a stable and efficient supply of this critical component to Indian and global markets.

Over the last few years, PCBL adds it has significantly expanded its specialty portfolio. It has launched over 50 grades under Bleumina brand for engineered plastics, Nutone for inks, paints and coating applications and Energia for conductive applications like conductive polymers, electrostatic discharge, wires and cables and battery.

The addition of acetylene black would significantly bolster its capabilities to offer numerous grades in the fast-growing conductive segment. PCBL has recently set up a joint venture company, Nanovace Technologies, to develop nano-silicon products to be used in anodes of Li-Ion batteries. The pilot plant at PCBL Palej site will be ready in the next few months.

Acetylene black technology addition is in sync with PCBL’s strategy to align growth vectors with global macro trends like energy transition, grid renewal, auto electrification and semiconductor industry growth.

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