With a focus on high quality and value upgrade in the coal chemical product chain, CSCC's Research and Development Department processes soft pitch to produce high-value anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, as well as refined coal products such as advanced carbon coal materials and isotropic graphite, substantially enhancing the added value of coal tar and pitch in the process. At the same time, our products' compliance with the latest Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and REACH regulations has led us to the green and high-tech materials industries. With collaboration on various development initiatives thanks to assistance from various local and foreign universities as well as industry organizations and institutions such as CSC's Research and Development Department and the Industrial Technology Research Institute, we continuously build up the depth and breadth of R&D to realize the development of advanced carbon materials. We have been awarded a total of 11 local and overseas patents concerning anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and carbon materials for supercapacitors. On the other hand, we have also been granted the Taiwan Intellectual Property Management System (TIPS) Level A Patent and Trademark Certification, which protects our R&D achievements and enables us to engage in technological expansion under a sound system. The R&D projects currently in progress at CSCC are listed as follows:
With the ongoing global attention to the issue of carbon emissions in recent years and the declaration of the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the European Union has begun drawing up carbon tax policies while green products have become an important area of development that countries around the world is engaging in. Correspondingly, the market share of electric vehicles has also grown from year to year. Thanks to their high energy density, long cycle life, and eco-friendliness, lithium-ion batteries have not only become the mainstream product in the development of power batteries, but also serve as one of the important indicators in the development of the electric vehicle industry.
In September 2021, CSCC signed a memorandum of understanding on materials development with Hon Hai Technology Group in a collaborative effort to develop anode materials for electric vehicle batteries and incorporate power batteries in electric vehicles. Not only can our mesophase graphite products improve the performance of power batteries in electric vehicles thanks to their high energy density, long cycle life, and fast-charging performance, but we also possess high flexibility in adjusting process parameters and the ability to supply customized products as we have full control over the supply of raw materials and production processes. In recent years, we have also invested in the development of coke artificial graphite. These factors play a critical role in the area of power batteries for electric vehicles.
As renewable energy is susceptible to peak sunshine hours and climate conditions, energy storage serves as a key component in the renewable energy supply system so that renewable energy can be supplied and used over the long run. The anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and activated carbon for supercapacitors that we develop have elevated our position as a key manufacturer in the downstream materials sector within the field of energy storage batteries. We continue to validate product performance with our energy storage battery customers and meet the needs of end customers.
Supercapacitor, also known as double-layer capacitor, is a type of storage for electric charge. When a supercapacitor is connected to power supply, it can demonstrate both high specific energy and high specific power. The activated carbon powder that we have developed can be used in wind power generation, light rail, three smart meters, and other electrical system components, thanks to its high specific surface area and excellent volumetric capacitance. It is also in line with the government’s effort to promote the “locally made, locally built” policy for the green energy industry.
With a view to meeting downstream customers’ request to reduce product carbon footprint, we have not only initiated a carbon footprint inventory, but also reviewed the basic design of our products at source. Furthermore, we engage in process design and equipment construction to reduce energy consumption at various units, increase produce yield, and boost energy reuse rate while carrying out process development to minimize carbon emissions, keeping abreast of carbon emission issues, and enhancing eco-friendliness.