Shokubai plans big electrolyte plant

Nippon Shokubai plans to spend about $265 million to build a plant in Japan that makes lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, an electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. The firm says the Japanese government will provide a subsidy covering one-third the cost. The plant will open in 2028 and will be able to make 3,000 metric tons per year of the electrolyte, enough for 210,000 electric vehicles. Many chemical companies have been delaying or canceling investment in battery materials because of slower than expected consumer adoption of electric vehicles.