Glatfelter, DreamWeaver to Develop, Manufacture Lithium Ion Battery Separators

DreamWeaver International, Greenville, S.C., USA, and P.H. Glatfelter Co., York, Pa., have formed a partnership to develop and manufacture the next generation of high performance and affordable separators targeted for energy storage devices such as lithium-ion batteries and ultra capacitors. With this partnership, DreamWeaver will be able to leverage Glatfelter's state-of-the-art inclined wire capabilities and expertise in making advanced fiber-based engineered materials.

Glatfelter continues to optimize the use of its eight inclined-wire machines to produce a diverse range of products, including, non-woven energy storage materials for the capacitor and lead-acid battery markets. These new fiber-based materials possess superior porosity and excellent web uniformity in low basis weight and thickness.

DreamWeaver battery separators combine microfibers and nanofibers in a porous substrate, which is ideal for battery separation application. DreamWeaver Silver™ is a general purpose product with excellent power capability and DreamWeaver Gold™ has very high temperature stability (up to 300oC) without significant thermal shrinkage. The partnership will focus on developing and manufacturing the current generation of DreamWeaver products and jointly developing future generations.

"DreamWeaver's technology is a natural fit, allowing us to extend our presence in the growing energy storage market with innovative and proprietary technology," said Martin Rapp, VP and GM of Glatfelter's Composite Fiber Business Unit.

"Glatfelter offers over a century of experience in manufacturing advanced web materials. This collaboration aims at developing and producing the next generation of high quality, competitively priced material demanded by the energy storage market," said Dr. Brian Morin, DreamWeaver's president and COO. "We believe Glatfelter has the capability needed to serve our customers, with the right mix of technological expertise, manufacturing capability, and foresight to help us become a leading supplier of battery separators worldwide."

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