Qinghai Nord New Materials Co., Ltd. copper foil production. This newspaper reporter Mi Yu photographed
Reporter of this newspaper, Mi Jiao
6 microns!
5 microns!
4.5 μm!
4 microns!
……
In today's field of electrolytic copper foil, there is an invisible "marathon" race, and the content of the race is one word: thin!
Winning the game will not only seize the technological opportunities, but also lead the market. Electrolytic copper foil as a new energy battery anode material, a thin word can further break through the lithium battery power carrying capacity and battery weight of the problem, and ultimately extend the mileage of new energy electric vehicles.
The race is protracted and endless, with contestants ready to join the race and be eliminated at any time, the defenders are not once and for all, and latecomers may surpass at any time.
Because behind the thin word is the rapid development of the new energy equipment industry, and it is the fierce competition of the entire industry. However, Qinghai Nord New Materials Co., Ltd. has proved with technology and products what is "always innovating, but never being surpassed".
"From the beginning of the full replication of the process, to our independent research and development, mass production, and then to the first 6 micron copper foil, 5 microns, 4.5 microns, 4 microns, with the core technology of South Korea, Japan and other original technology monopoly countries, our company has obtained 25% of the national market share, won the first place for seven consecutive years, and is also a fixed supplier of NINGDE Times, Tesla and BYD." Li Yongzhen, executive deputy general manager and senior engineer of Qinghai Nord, said.
The extremely thin copper foil has helped enterprises seize the market and promoted industrial progress, but the pursuit of "thin" is not simply the pursuit of "digital".
The 6 micron copper foil has been thin enough to be transparent, and the picture of the copper foil reflecting the back is clearly visible, and the four words that come to mind are "blow bomb can be broken", however, its tensile strength is stable to more than 40 kg, and the elongation can still be maintained at 5% to 7% while maintaining high tensile properties.
Thin is not brittle, thin is not soft, it is "Made in China" that makes a seemingly ordinary piece of copper foil give the properties of both ends of the antonym.
Li Yongzhen said that the production of lithium battery copper foil to go through the copper dissolved liquid, raw foil process, slitting process and quality control of the four processes, seemingly simple, but to achieve the appearance of flawless, excellent performance, extremely difficult, and each thin 1 micron for enterprises is a scientific and technological research, is a new challenge.
Of course, every "pain" of technological progress brings efficient returns to the market, and also gives enterprises a two-way choice of capital. Li Yongzhen looked at the revenue operation statement of 800 million yuan from January to October this year and said: "This year, our company has produced all lines, but it still rejects many orders because of limited production capacity, and next year's orders have been signed, and even the output that has not yet been put into production in the second phase has been booked." In order to ensure the stability of the market, we have strict screening of order companies, and large enterprises with stable markets and good product sales are the objects of our long-term cooperation. ”
Standing on the cusp of the development of new energy vehicles, as the "world's largest lithium battery copper foil enterprise", although it has reached the peak in the "marathon" competition that pursues extreme thinness, the copper foil manufacturers have already begun to exert their strength, and the distance is also being shortened step by step.
"In order to continue to stand at the forefront of the industry, companies have already targeted 3.5 micron copper foil and have already reserved related technologies, the 'competition' is still continuing, and the next goal will be..." Li Yongzhen is full of expectations for future challenges.
Qinghai Daily (December 23, 2021, 1st page: front page)