ODIN: Organic Durable INnovations for batteries and electronics

Objectif

The global push for electrification is accelerating, with batteries and polymer capacitors at its core. However, Europe faces two key challenges: reliance on China-controlled supply chains and the need for sustainable alternatives to environmentally harmful materials. Regulatory pressures, including the upcoming PFAS ban, require breakthrough materials to secure Europe's industrial independence.

In lithium-ion batteries, binders and conductive additives—though small in volume—greatly impact performance. The industry relies on PFAS-based PVDF, which requires the toxic solvent NMP and lacks conductivity, forcing the use of carbon additives that reduce energy density and complicate manufacturing. Polymer capacitors, critical for EV powertrains, inverters, and telecom infrastructure, depend on PEDOT:PSS, which fails above ~125°C and is costly to produce.

Westra Materials delivers the first conductive polymers to replace both PVDF and PEDOT:PSS—a true 2-in-1 breakthrough. In batteries, our polymers eliminate PVDF and carbon additives, enabling direct charge transfer, higher energy density, and simplified production. In capacitors, they offer thermal stability up to 225°C, exceeding PEDOT:PSS by over 100°C, making them compliant with EV applications such as battery management systems, and inverters, while meeting AEC-Q200 (150°C) standards. Manufactured via a 1-step, 1-hour polycondensation process, Westra’s polymers are 10× cheaper than PEDOT:PSS while delivering high conductivity (up to 3000 S/cm), thermal stability (225°C), and electrochemical durability (up to 4.5V).

Targeting battery binders for NMC and LFP cathodes and polymer capacitors, Westra Materials addresses a €7.3–8.5B market by 2030.
Beyond its commercial potential, Westra Materials strengthens EU’s industrial autonomy, replacing PFAS-based materials with a sustainable, locally manufacturable alternative. It is not just a material innovation—it is a necessity for a cleaner and more competitive Europe.