Innovative Flame-Retardant Fabric for EV Batteries - The EV Report

Asahi Kasei has launched a new grade of LASTAN™, a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric designed to enhance the safety of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This innovative material provides superior protection against flames and particle blasts, offering a lightweight and flexible alternative to traditional materials. As the demand for safer EV battery solutions grows, LASTAN™ aims to address key challenges by providing improved thermal runaway protection.

Key Highlights:

With the growing demand for electric vehicles, battery safety remains a top concern. According to Asahi Kasei’s automotive consumer survey, 34% of non-EV owners in China view improved safety as a key factor in their purchasing decisions. This has driven global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to seek out advanced materials like LASTAN™ to mitigate thermal runaway, which is a significant hazard in EV batteries.

While current materials used in EV battery covers are typically mineral-based, they often suffer from being heavy, brittle, and difficult to process. LASTAN™, however, stands out due to its non-mineral composition, high flame resistance, and ease of integration into automotive designs. The fabric is made by air-baking special acrylic fibers, resulting in outstanding durability and flame retardance.

Exceptional Performance Metrics:

Asahi Kasei plans to exhibit this new grade of LASTAN™ at the North American Battery Show in Detroit, scheduled for October 2024. With its global operations and a focus on sustainability, the company is exploring expansion opportunities for production beyond Japan, aiming to support the growing EV market and the transition to a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

Sign up for our popular daily email to catch all the latest EV news!

The EV Report is a digital platform dedicated to the global electric vehicle industry. It is a product of Hagman Media Group, and its mission is to inform, engage, and connect industry professionals and EV enthusiasts with relevant news and insights.