Rockwood and its subsidiaries have a long history of developing “greener” alternative technologies for use in a wide variety of industries, such as energy, coatings and construction. These products offer a functional equivalent to existing products or processes, but have been developed to minimize environmental impact by eliminating toxic chemicals, reducing harmful emissions or supporting new environmentally friendly processes.

	Energizer Lithium Batteries
	Thickeners for water-based systems

Chemetall Lithium and Lithium Compounds Power the Future
Lithium is the lightest metal with unique electrochemical properties that make it ideal for advanced batteries, including batteries for the next generation hybrid electric or all-electric vehicles.

Chemetall has working relationships with auto and battery manufacturers and continues to work with manufacturers throughout the auto supply chain as well as university researchers to advance the development and production of efficient and affordable batteries for next generation vehicles.

Chemetall pioneered the extraction of lithium from brine at Silver Peak, NV, and now produces, in the US, much of the lithium metal used in lithium primary batteries. The company works regularly with battery manufacturers, auto companies and their suppliers to help them understand supply issues and to develop the battery compounds that will make lithium ion batteries a practical technology for advanced electric vehicles.

Chemetall now supplies lithium out of raw material resources in Chile and Nevada. The company currently supplies about 30% of the world’s need for lithium carbonate.

Chemetall Replaces Toxic Salts in Energy Storage
One significant example of this can be found in the energy storage industry. Chemetall has patented LiBOB, a chemical conductive agent that is an effective alternative to toxic, fluorine salts used in large lithium ion batteries and battery packs.

Southern Clay Products Helps Coatings Industry Cut Emissions
On yet another front, additives manufacturer Southern Clay Products offers a variety of alternative technologies for the coatings, composites and consumer care markets, such as Garamite® rheological additives that replace fumed silica in emissions-compliant coatings and Optiflo® associative thickeners that replace urethane-based thickeners and can be used in today’s “greener” aqueous coatings systems.

 

Developing Alternative Technologies  •  Replacing Heavy Metals  •  Increasing Efficiency and Longevity  •  Enhancing the Quality of Life for Millions
Maximizing Resources Through the 3R's  •  Creating Products that Clean and Protect