1. What is NMP?

NMP (full name: N-Methylpyrrolidone), chemical formula C₅H₉NO, is a clear, colorless liquid and one of the most widely used auxiliary materials in lithium battery production.

Role in Electrode Production: When making electrode sheets, NMP acts as a solvent to mix binders, active materials (like cathode materials), and conductive agents into a uniform slurry. This ensures all components bond evenly.

Solvent Superpower: It’s a high-boiling-point solvent that mixes well with almost all other solvents (alcohols, ketones, aromatics, etc.).

2. NMP Supply Chain Breakdown

Upstream:

Raw materials come from coal/petrochemical industries, mainly BDO (1,4-Butanediol). China’s coal industry has optimized BDO production, leading to rapid growth in capacity.

Midstream:

Production Methods:

Synthesis: BDO → γ-butyrolactone (GBL) → react with methylamine → refine into NMP.

Recycling: Used NMP from battery factories is purified (with ~10% loss) and blended with fresh NMP.

Current tech is reliable and mature.

3. Why NMP Matters in Lithium Batteries

Critical for Electrodes:

Dissolves PVDF (the go-to binder for cathodes) to create a stable slurry.

Ensures even coating of the slurry onto metal foils during battery assembly.

Small Cost, Big Impact: Auxiliary materials like NMP make up only 2-5% of battery costs but are essential for quality. Poor NMP = uneven coatings = worse battery performance.

4. NMP Production & Usage Stats (2022)

Global Capacity: 687,000 tons/year.

China’s Share: 532,000 tons/year (77% of global capacity).

Consumption:

Lithium Batteries: 1.428 million tons (94% of China’s total usage).

Other Uses:

Electronics (e.g., semiconductor cleaning): 4.0%

Polymers (e.g., specialty plastics): 1.6%

Insulating paints, pharma, petrochemicals: <1% each.

Key Takeaway: NMP is a behind-the-scenes hero in lithium batteries, ensuring electrodes are made right. China dominates its production, and recycling tech keeps it sustainable.