Sweden grants exemption for use of methylene chloride for manufacturing lithium batteries

The Swedish Chemicals Agency grants an exemption for a large amount of methylene chloride, which was banned in Sweden before now. This substance is used in manufacturing a component for lithium batteries in Eskilstuna.  

Methylene chloride is a necessary substance in producing the desired properties of the separator materials used in making batteries for electric cars. This substance is very important because there is currently no other process technology that can be used to produce separator materials and provide same properties.

This exemption is granted, according to the agency’s ability to do so for special reasons, which applies in this case. One of such special reason is that there is no alternative to the substance and while research is ongoing for getting alternatives, the company must minimize the risk of workers’ exposure to methylene chloride.

The exemption of this substance applies from the 1st of June 2023 and for two years, to a total of 2,770 tonnes of methylene chloride. Measures have been put in place by the company and accepted by the agency, to ensure that workers are not exposed to unallowable risks.

Summarily, manufacturers in Eskilstuna are allowed to use Methylene Chloride in producing separator materials from June 1, 2023, to 2025.  

Last Update: 2021-11-30