PTBA And BRIN Start Developing Coal For Li-ion Battery Baku Materials

Illustration (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) started a coal conversion pilot project into Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet for the raw materials for the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery.

The conversion of coal to Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet is the first in the world.

Artificial Graphite is the main ingredient for making anodes. The Anode Sheet is an electrode where oxidation reactions occur, one of which is an important component for Li-ion batteries.

Director of Portfolio & Business Development MIND ID Dilo Seno Widagdo said that all companies under the MIND ID Group are always committed to optimizing the added value of Indonesia's mineral and coal resources, through a mandate to manage strategic resources and reserves, downstream, and market leadership to become a world-class company.

This pilot project is expected to continue to the commercial stage. He stressed that the sustainability of this project really requires support and in-depth study from its economic aspects.

"MIND ID has a focus on supporting the electric vehicle battery ecosystem. Therefore, this potential must be fully supported by the entire MIND ID Group. This project is a strategic step that not only supports the diversification of PTBA's business, but also strengthens our position in the supply chain of electric vehicle batteries in the future," Dilo told reporters, Monday, July 15.

Meanwhile, PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said that coal development into Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet is a form of PTBA's commitment to supporting Government policies to encourage coal downstreaming and maintain national energy security.

"The implementation of the Sheet Anode made from coal is the first in the world, so that it can be one of the important breakthroughs in downstreaming coal. The development of coal into Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet will also support the progress of the domestic electric vehicle industry," said Arsal.

Arsal said, the need for Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet will increase in the future, along with the growth of the electric vehicle industry. Not only for the electric vehicle industry, Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet, other industries such as the energy storage industry, electronics, and medical equipment are also needed.

For information, the conversion of coal to Artificial Graphite and Anode Sheet is carried out through several stages.

The first stage is the coal carbonization process into semi-cash coal or Coalite.

Then Coalite is smoothed into powder, then through the process of immersion, heating, washing, drying and smoothing until it becomes Artificial Graphite which is the main ingredient of Anode Sheet.

The manufacture of the Sheet Anode starts from the mixing of Artificial Graphite with other materials.

The mixture is heated, then printing is carried out so that it forms a sheet on copper paper.

The last stage is drying so that Anode Sheet is formed.