<2025> Technology Trends and Market Outlook of LIB Separators (~2035)
Lithium-ion batteries play a crucial role
in various sectors, including electric vehicles (EV), energy storage systems
(ESS), and consumer electronics (CE). Consequently, continuous improvements in
energy density, lifespan, and safety are essential. In meeting these demands,
separators are gaining attention as a critical component that determines
battery performance and stability. Separators allow ion transport through the
electrolyte while preventing physical contact between the cathode and anode,
thereby avoiding internal short circuits. Although classified as an inactive
component, the thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of
separators significantly influence the cell's stability, lifespan, and safety.
Today, separator technology is advancing
through the development of various materials and processes. Conventional
polyolefin-based separators (PE, PP) are widely commercialized due to their
excellent mechanical stability and thermal resistance. However, they exhibit
performance limitations under high-power and high-temperature conditions. To
address these challenges, ceramic coating technologies and nonwoven-based
separators have been introduced, significantly improving thermal stability and
durability. Additionally, the emergence of next-generation batteries, such as
solid-state batteries, necessitates the design of new composite separators that
surpass the limitations of conventional ones. In particular, separators
utilizing PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and other advanced polymer materials
are being actively researched for their superior thermal stability and
electrochemical performance, aligning with the requirements of next-generation
batteries.
With the technological advancements in
separators, the LIB market is experiencing rapid growth. According to SNE
Research, the global separator market is projected to grow from approximately
$2.2 billion in 2025 to $12.8 billion by 2030, achieving a CAGR of over 12%.
This growth is primarily driven by the expansion of electric vehicle adoption
and the increasing demand for energy storage systems (ESS). In particular, the
demand for high-performance batteries is acting as a catalyst for innovations
in separator technology. Simultaneously, major manufacturers are accelerating
the development of separators tailored to next-generation battery technologies,
such as solid-state batteries.
The 2025 report provides a comprehensive
analysis of LIB separator technologies and the market. It delves into the
development trends and performance enhancement strategies for key materials
such as PE, PP, and PVDF. Additionally, it offers an in-depth examination of
the evolution of ceramic coating and composite separator technologies, which
have recently garnered significant attention. The report includes historical
demand data from 2021 to 2024 based on global market data and presents market
forecasts from 2025 to 2030. It also highlights the latest product trends and
technological strategies of major separator manufacturers, offering valuable
insights into the present and future of the LIB industry.
Separators have emerged as a critical
component that determines the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries
(LIBs), going beyond being a mere part. This report provides technical insights
and market forecasts for researchers and industry professionals, serving as an
essential guide for comprehensively understanding the present and future of LIB
separators. As the LIB industry continues to evolve, the significance of
separator technology will grow even further in achieving environmental
sustainability and the goals of a circular economy.
Strong Points of This Report :
1. Comprehensive overview and technical
details of separators
2. Latest technological development trends
in separators
3. Market forecast data for separators
4. Detailed information on manufacturing
and product status of major separator companies
Contents
Report Overview
1. Current Status and Development Trends of Separator Technology
1.1 Introduction 14
1.1.1 Current Status of Separator
Development
1.1.2 Role of Separator
1.2 Types of Separator 18
1.2.1 Microporous Polyolefin Separator
1.2.2 Nonwoven Fabric
1.2.3 Ceramic Composite Separator
1.3 Separator Characteristics 28
1.3.1 Chemical Stability
1.3.2 Thickness
1.3.3 Porosity
1.3.4 Pore Size
1.3.5 Torsional Rigidity
1.3.6 Air Permeability
1.3.7 Lithium-ion Permeability
1.3.8 Mechanical Strength
1.3.9 Wettability
1.3.10 Electrolyte Absorption
1.3.11 Thermal Shrinkage
1.3.12 Shutdown Characteristics
1.3.13 Cost
1.3.14 Oxidation Stability
1.3.15 Melt-down
1.4 Major Issues of Separator 41
1.4.1 Separator Properties
1.4.2 Swelling and Softening of Separator
1.4.3 Separator Damage by Lithium Dendrite
1.4.4 Thermal Damage
1.4.5 Mechanical Damage
2. Polyolefin-Based Separator
2.1 Polyolefin-Based Separator
Manufacturing Process 44
2.1.1 Dry Method
2.1.2 Wet Method
2.2 Relationship Between Polyolefin-Based
Separator and Battery 52
2.2.1 Battery Performance
2.2.2 Battery Safety
2.3 Latest Development Trends of
Polyolefin-Based Separator 58
2.3.1 Surface Treatment
2.3.2 Polymer-Functionalized Polyolefin
Separator
2.3.3 Ceramic-Coated/Deposited Polyolefin
Separator
2.3.4 Ceramic/Polymer-Functionalized Hybrid
Polyolefin Separator
3. Nonwoven Fabric Separator
3.1 Nonwoven Fabric Separator Manufacturing
Process 64
3.1.1 Dry-laid Method
3.1.2 Wet-laid Method
3.1.3 Spun-bond
3.1.4 Melt-blown Process
3.1.5 Web Bonding
3.2 Properties of Nonwoven Fabric Separator 73
3.3 Latest Development Trends of Nonwoven
Fabric Separator 76
3.3.1 Cellulose-Based Separator
3.3.2 Fluoropolymer-Containing Separator
3.3.3 PVA Separator
3.3.4 PAN Separator
3.3.5 PET Separator
3.3.6 PI Separator
3.3.7 PEI Separator
3.3.8 Nylon Separator
3.3.9 PEEK Separator
3.3.10 PMMA Separator
3.3.11 PBI Separator
3.3.12 Poly(Para-Phenylene Benzobisoxazole)
Separator
3.3.13 Poly(m-Phenylene Isophthalamide)
(PMIA) Separator
3.3.14 Polyphenylene Sulfide Separator
3.3.15 Polyphenylene Oxide Separator
3.3.16 Polysulfone Separator
4. Latest Technological Trends in
Heat-Resistant Coated Separators
4.1 Multilayer Structure Heat-Resistant
Separator 93
4.2 Nonwoven Fabric Separator 94
4.3 Inorganic-Introduced High-Safety
Separator 100
4.3.1 Non-Aqueous Inorganic Coated
Separator
4.3.2 Aqueous Inorganic Coated Separator
4.3.3 Binder-Free Separator
4.3.4 Multifunctional Inorganic Coated Separator
4.4 Heat-Resistant Polymer Coated Separator 114
4.4.1 Coated Separator with Heat-Resistant
Polymer and Inorganic Materials
4.4.1.1 Inorganic Coated Separator Using
Heat-Resistant Polymer as a Binder
4.4.1.2 Inorganic/Heat-Resistant Polymer
Coated Separator
4.4.2 Flame-Retardant Separator
4.4.2.1 Separator Made with Flame-Retardant
Materials
4.4.2.2 Separator with Additional
Flame-Retardant Materials
4.5 Microporous Polymer Separator 125
4.6 Thermal Shutdown Separator 130
4.7 Voltage-Sensitive Separator 133
5. Latest Technological Trends in Other
Separators
5.1 Ceramic Composite Separator 136
5.2 Nature-Inspired LIB Separator 137
5.3 Redox-Active LIB Separator 138
5.4 Shutdown-Functionalized LIB Separator 139
6. Latest Technological Trends and Developments in the Domestic LIB Separator Industry
6.1 Case Study 1: SKIET Wet Separator Sheet
Technology 141
6.1.1 Overview of Separator Sheet Line
Process
6.1.2 Basic Required Properties of
Separator Sheet
6.1.3 Overview of Separator Coating Process
6.1.4 Basic Required Properties of Coated
Separator
6.2 Case Study 2: W-Scope Wet Separator
Technology 147
6.2.1 Current Status of Wet Separator
Development
6.2.2 Development Direction of Wet
Separator
6.3 Case Study 3: EnerEver Separator
Coating Technology 151
6.3.1 Overview of Separator Coating
Technology Development
6.3.2 Prospects for Separator Coating
Technology Development
6.4 Case Study 4: Upexchem Dry Separator
Technology 159
6.4.1 Overview of Separator Technology
Development
6.5 Summary of Latest Technological Trends 160
6.5.1 Enhanced Heat Resistance and Safety
6.5.2 Ultra-Thin Separators
6.5.3 Use of Advanced Materials
6.5.4 Innovations in Manufacturing Process
6.5.5 Additional Factors in Technology Development
7. Separator Market Trends and Outlook
7.1 Current Status of Separator Demand 164
7.1.1 Regional Separator Demand Status
7.1.2 Material-Based Separator Demand
Status
7.1.3 Application-Based Separator Demand
Status
7.2 Market Share and Shipment Trends by
Separator Suppliers 170
7.2.1 Market Share Trends by Separator
Suppliers
7.2.2 Shipment Trends by Separator Suppliers
7.3 Trends in Separator Purchasing Volume
by Major LIB Manufacturers 173
7.3.1 Samsung SDI (2020~2024E)
7.3.2 LGES (2020~2024E)
7.3.3 SK on (2020~2024E)
7.3.4 Panasonic (2020~2024E)
7.3.5 CATL (2020~2024E)
7.3.6 BYD (2020~2024E)
7.3.7 CALB (2020~2024E)
7.3.8 EVE (2020~2024E)
7.3.9 Gotion (2020~2024E)
7.4 Separator Production Capacity Outlook 234
7.4.1 Production Capacity Outlook by Type
7.4.2 Production Capacity Outlook by
Company
7.5 Separator Demand Outlook 236
7.5.1 Separator Demand Outlook by Region
7.5.2 Separator Demand Outlook by
Application
7.5.3 Separator Demand Outlook by Type
7.6 Separator Supply and Demand Outlook 242
7.6.1 Global Separator Supply and Demand
Outlook
7.6.2 Separator Supply and Demand Outlook
Excluding China’s Capacity
7.7 Separator Price Trends 244
7.7.1 Separator Price Structure
7.7.2 Separator Price Trends
7.8 Separator Market Size Outlook 247
8. Status of Separator Manufacturers
8.1 Korean Separator Manufacturers 249
8.1.1 SKIET (SK IE Technology)
8.1.2 W-Scope (WCP, W-Scope Corporation)
8.1.3 EnerEver
8.2 Japanese Separator Manufacturers 266
8.2.1 Asahi Kasei
8.2.2 Toray
8.2.3 Ube Maxell
8.2.4 Sumitomo Chemical (住友化学株式会社)
8.2.5 Teijin
8.3 Chinese Separator Manufacturers 285
8.3.1 SEMCORP (恩捷股份)
8.3.2 Senior (星源材质)
8.3.3 Sinoma (中材科技)
8.3.4 Gellec (金力股份)
8.3.5 ZIMT (中兴新材)
8.3.6 Huiqiang (惠强新能源)
8.3.7 Putailai (璞泰来)
8.3.8 Horizon (江苏厚生)
8.3.9 Bosser (博盛新材)
8.3.10 Lanketu (蓝科途)
8.3.11 CZMZ (沧州明珠)
8.3.12 Jinhui (金辉高科)
8.3.13 Green (中科科技)
8.4 Other Separator Manufacturers 344
8.4.1 Sepion Technology
9. Status of Separator Raw Material
Manufacturers
9.1 Korean Separator Raw Material
Manufacturers
9.1.1 KC
9.1.2 Osang Jaiel
9.2 Chinese Separator Raw Material
Manufacturers
9.2.1 Estone (壹石通)
9.2.2 CHALCO (中铝郑州有色金属研究院)
9.2.3 Sinocera (山东国瓷功能材料股份有限公司)
9.2.4 Tianma (河南天马新材料股份有限公司)
9.2.5 Higiant (邹平恒嘉新材料科技有限公司)
9.3 Other Separator Raw Material
Manufacturers
9.3.1 TOR Minerals
9.3.2 Nabaltec
10. References
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