Toyocolor Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toyo Ink Group, has announced that its LIOACCUM ONESHOT WANISU series of electrode materials for lithium batteries has been adopted in Toyota Motor Corporation’s new Prius hybrid vehicle, which was launched to the Japanese market on December 9, 2015.

The LIOACCUM ONESHOT WANISU, based on Toyocolor’s expertise in dispersion and ink processing technology, is a high performance, liquid-type dispersion used for processing lithium-ion battery electrodes. A lithium battery electrode is a composite formed by dispersing and mixing an electrode active material and ONESHOT WANISU into the desired concentration.

Compared with conventional manufacturing methods, ONESHOT WANISU dispersions make it possible to produce a high-grade and stable battery electrode by forming a homogeneous coating on the electrode surface with reduced coagulation of carbon particles. In addition, a highly concentrated slurry can be achieved by simply mixing the ONESHOT WANISU dispersion―which is already in liquid form―with the active materials, thus dramatically reducing the slurry production time and the curing time required for the electrode coating process.

ONESHOT WANISU dispersions are produced at a newly built plant on the premises of Toyocolor’s manufacturing facility in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, where control systems are in place to prevent contamination by conductive foreign matter that could impact battery integrity. Toyocolor has already begun supplying ONESHOT WANISU to Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd., the battery manufacturer for Toyota hybrids.

“ONESHOT WANISU was adopted by Toyota with excellent results,” stated Hironori Sakai, president of Toyocolor.  “This dispersion’s superior physical properties make it possible for battery manufacturers to realize significant savings in overall battery processing costs, increased production capacity as well as reduced capital investment spending. We are happy to be able to bring our advanced materials technology to the fourth-generation Prius model and help power this eco-friendly vehicle toward a more sustainable future.“

The Toyo Ink Group has identified three business domains in which it endeavors to contribute to a better society by developing value-added products and solutions from the consumers’ perspective. Energy and Environmental Harmony are priority fields under the Sustainability Science domain, the mission of which is to create new energy and make effective use of natural resources while contributing to a sustainable society. Looking ahead, Toyocolor is committed to resolving energy issues by making further performance enhancements and cost reductions through processing improvements in lithium-ion battery materials.