Hollingsworth & Vose (H&V) is committed to providing advanced energy solutions to a broad range of industries. We bring a high level of technical, manufacturing, and commercial expertise to our clients and partners around the world. H&V has been a global leader in the lead-acid battery industry for decades by manufacturing advanced separator products.
To promote a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable world, H&V is tackling the challenges many industries face when creating environmentally friendly manufacturing practices and products. Our advanced energy solutions target new technologies to align with modern megatrends in clean energy, decarbonization, electrification, and climate technology.
To stay ahead of these trends, H&V develops separator products for emerging battery chemistries serving energy storage systems (ESS), data centers, and advanced lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, as well as for hydrogen production, CO2 capture, and more.
Since separators are not typically prioritized during new battery chemistry development, we see this as an opportunity to optimize new battery chemistry performance as early in the development process as possible. H&V actively seeks partnerships with battery chemistry developers, bringing our advanced capabilities in material science, manufacturing at scale, and non-woven design architecture.
Learn more about how we’re innovating the next generation of energy solutions and separator technologies.
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Data Centers
H&V has been a long-standing participant in the lead-acid battery industry and is now spearheading transformational change in the following emerging battery technologies:
- Alternative aqueous-based batteries for high-power applications (e.g., data center UPS)
- Flow batteries for long-duration storage
- GEM technology (next-generation lead-acid batteries)
- Lithium-ion batteries
These technologies require durable, scalable, and robust electrolyte-compatible separators to meet the demands of their applications.
New Battery Chemistries and Future Separator Technologies
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) has become a dominant and preferred energy storage choice for many automotive and industrial applications. While lead-acid battery technologies depend on the applications they serve, there are opportunities to replace them with higher-performing, safer, and cheaper storage solutions. Nickel-zinc and other battery technologies are getting renewed attention due to the increasing demand for storage at a commercial scale and more varied use cases. H&V is leveraging our expertise and non-woven material knowledge to bring never-before-seen solutions to market.
Robust battery separators are necessary for reliable performance and safety. A battery separator is a thin, porous material that prevents direct contact between the negative and positive electrodes of the battery, eliminating potential short circuits and ensuring smooth ionic flow. Certain battery chemistries and systems require a separator and a reservoir for the electrolyte supply.
At H&V, we can control factors such as chemical compatibility, porosity, volume, and mechanicals to deliver the proper solution for various battery chemistries. We lead the market in battery separator innovation for emerging battery technology, such as:
- Alkaline batteries
- Solid-state batteries
- Synthetic and glass separators for other battery chemistries
GEM: A Revolutionary Lead-Acid Battery Innovation
H&V is developing a nonwoven glass electrode material (GEM) that can replace the lead plates found in lead-acid batteries. This revolutionary material represents the future of lead-acid batteries, potentially opening up opportunities for lead-based technologies in other markets. The benefits of GEM include:
- Improved cycle life. Without lead plates, the battery does not need the failure mechanisms associated with the plates, resulting in improved cycle life performance.
- Better manufacturability. Engineering firms that design equipment for stamping lead plates can replace this equipment with those for glass electrode materials. Once this new equipment and processes are integrated, GEM will make lead-acid battery manufacturing simpler.
Research and development in GEM technology is ongoing, but the promise of an improved lead-acid or GEM battery may be able to steer the market towards a Li-ion alternative. At H&V, we look forward to bringing safe and viable new battery technologies like GEM to marketplaces around the world.
Thermal Barrier Technology for Lithium-Ion Batteries
With the rise of electrification and lithium-ion batteries throughout the mobility, automotive, and energy storage industries, there is an increasing demand for thermal barrier technologies to protect users in the event of battery failure. Safety is a top priority for manufacturers and consumers in these markets, so products must contain thermal barriers outside the batteries in case of thermal runaway. This layer of safety aims to prevent thermal propagation and battery fires. In automotive applications, this is especially important in giving passengers enough time to safely evacuate.
Working in tandem with battery thermal management systems, thermal barriers are necessary for the following electric mobility and energy products:
- Electric vehicles
- Electric scooters
- Energy storage units
- Small commercial vehicles
To support these needs, H&V is currently developing a physical thermal barrier material that goes between battery cells and between the battery pack and the vehicle cabin. We’re leveraging our glass fiber and non-woven fiber production capabilities to deliver effective thermal management solutions for consumers and original equipment suppliers throughout the value chain. Working with our global partners, we are aiming for a soft launch of our thermal barrier in 2025.
Other Emerging Technologies
H&V is also supporting the following emerging industries in their initial stages of development.
Hydrogen Production
Low greenhouse gas (GHG) electrolysis methods of producing hydrogen benefit from H&V’s efficient separator technology. We manufacture alkaline-stable, high-efficiency separators using our comprehensive production and additive incorporation capabilities.
CO2 Capture
H&V produces highly CO2-absorbing non-woven materials that improve run time efficiency and durability for various carbon capture systems.
Advanced Energy Solutions From H&V
At Hollingsworth & Vose, we are committed to providing advanced energy solutions that meet the current and future challenges of global electrification, decarbonization, and other megatrends. Our current battery separator offerings surpass competitor products on the market due to our unique engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities. We have decades of proven experience supplying innovative materials and solutions that shape the future of lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and other emerging battery technologies.
Contact us today to learn more about our advanced energy solutions.