Sulfide electrolytes are considered promising materials for all-solid-state batteries due to their high ionic conductivity which enables electric vehicles to extend their driving range and reduce charging time. However, their mass production has been highly challenging because the sulfides are chemically unstable and require careful handling, which has been a major obstacle to the implementation of all-solid-state batteries.

AGC has recently established a proprietary production method that combines technologies from our glass and chemicals businesses, and has successfully completed a proof-of-concept trial on a pilot line at the AGC Yokohama Technical Center. This method makes it possible to produce a variety of electrolyte compositions with high quality, which have been difficult in conventional methods, under a process designed for mass production in the future. Furthermore, this method facilitates the use of materials recycled from lithium-ion batteries, and we believe it will contribute to solving the problem of recycling used lithium rechargeable batteries, which has become an issue in the world.