Orion S.A.’s experts have identified five trends shaping the use of conductive additives in lithium-ion batteries and other energy storage technologies, highlighting their growing role in electrode design, performance and manufacturing quality
Ahead of The Battery Show Detroit 2026, taking place from 12 to 15 October, Orion said battery manufacturers are focusing more on conductive additives as they seek to improve battery performance, support faster charging and meet increasingly demanding quality requirements.
Although conductive additives make up only a small proportion of a battery electrode, they help create a conductive network that enables electrons to move between active material particles and the current collector. According to Orion, conductive additives do more than provide electrical conductivity. They shape electrode structure, electrolyte distribution, active-material utilisation and long-term cycling performance.
Performance requirements are also becoming more demanding as electric vehicles are transitioning towards faster charging and energy storage systems require higher energy density and longer service life. Manufacturers are seeking materials that combine electrical conductivity, low impurity levels, consistent quality and sustainable production. Orion noted that a broad portfolio of carbon blacks made with furnace, lamp and acetylene processes can help meet the different requirements of battery technologies.
Another trend is the use of hybrid conductive systems, particularly combinations of carbon black and carbon nanotubes, which can offer complementary benefits in conductivity and mechanical resilience, with their formulation tailored to specific battery chemistries and performance targets. Orion has invested in a fully equipped battery laboratory to help customers tailor these combinations for specific chemistries and performance targets.
Automotive quality standards are also extending further into the battery supply chain. Conductive carbon materials are increasingly subject to stricter cleanliness and traceability requirements, along with analytical methods designed to detect trace metallic contaminants. In response, Orion recently completed a rigorous qualification process for IATF 16949, the auto industry’s seal of approval for quality, at its conductive additives plant in Berre-l’étang, France.
Orion also highlighted the importance of dispersion expertise during electrode production. Slurry preparation involves balancing material properties, formulation components and mixing conditions, with carbon black influencing the slurry’s rheology and the finished electrode consistency. Orion said its battery applications laboratory works with customers to optimise formulations for lithium-ion, lead-acid and emerging battery technologies.
Orion experts will be available to discuss these trends and several other industry developments at booth #2942 at The Battery Show Detroit 2026.
