Munters strengthens its leading position in dehumidification equipment for lithium battery production

Lithium battery production is a very demanding application for which Munters can provide optimal process air.

A growing segment for Munters is dehumidification equipment for lithium battery production. The most recent example is Saft, a world leader in high technology batteries, who will install ten of Munters energy efficient dehumidification systems at their lithium ion battery facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The 1.9 EUR M order placed by Scientific Climate is scheduled to ship this August. Another recent example is University of Münster in Germany. They have ordered dehumidification equipment for their lithium battery production test facility for the value of 1.1 EUR M. It is a follow up order of a turnkey installation delivered and commissioned last year.



The new installation includes a dry room and a leading edge low dew point dehumidification system based on Munters proprietary purge systems. The new purge technology allows operators to supply large air volumes at low dew points with significantly lower operating cost than anyone else on the market.



“Our research at the University of Münster is dependent on advanced air treatment solutions. Both technically and economically, Munters has mastered supplying dry air at a very low dew point and at high air volumes.” says Uwe Hoolt, chief engineer and responsible for technical installation in the MEET Arcades.

“Munters has numerous installations in the lithium battery industry around the world. These orders reinforce our position as market leader in this growing segment”, said Lars Engström, CEO, Munters AB.



About lithium battery production and demand

Manufacturing lithium batteries can be done in small laboratory environments or full mass production dry rooms. These high energy density batteries must be produced in less than 1% humidity environments because lithium metal reacts with water vapor to form lithium hydroxide, hydrogen and heat. Water vapor acts as a catalyst, so lithium metal exposed to moisture levels greater than 1% results in poorer battery quality, performance and shelf life. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries utilize materials which are hygroscopic and must be assembled in a dry room less than 1% RH. Munters energy efficient desiccant dehumidification systems are specially designed to control moisture levels in lithium processing at -50°C to -40°C dew point.



The worldwide demand for lithium batteries is rising due to the growth of battery-powered products such as mobile phones, portable digital audio players, laptops and electric powered vehicles. In addition, lithium-ion batteries are growing in popularity for defense, automotive and aerospace applications due to their high energy density.

Munters is a global leader in energy efficient air treatment solutions and restoration services based on expertise in humidity and climate control technologies. Customers are served in a wide range of segments, the most important being insurance-, utilities-, food-, pharma- and electronics- industries. Manufacturing and sales are carried out via the Group’s own companies in more than 30 countries. The Group has close to 4,000 employees and net sales of about SEK 6.5 billion. The Munters share is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm, Mid Cap. For more information see www.munters.com