Westra Materials is revolutionizing the next generation of lithium-ion batteries with its proprietary PFAS-free and NMP-free conductive binder technology, engineered to meet the highest performance standards while anticipating the most stringent regulatory landscapes. Our solution has been validated across multiple battery chemistries, demonstrating excellent compatibility with both LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) cathodes, the leading materials in the global battery market.
At the core of Westra Materials’s innovation is a conductive polymer binder that uniquely integrates two critical functionalities: mechanical cohesion and electronic conductivity, within a single material system. This multifunctionality enables the elimination or drastic reduction of conventional conductive additives such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes, while enhancing electrode integrity and reducing interfacial resistance. The result is a significant simplification of electrode formulations and manufacturing processes, with reduced energy consumption, lower material costs, and improved sustainability metrics.
Unlike standard binders such as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), which is itself a fluoropolymer classified within the PFAS family, Westra Materials's binder is fully PFAS-free. PVDF-based binders have long been the industry standard for Li-ion batteries but rely on hazardous solvents such as NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) for processing and pose increasing regulatory risks due to their fluorinated nature. In fact, under proposed PFAS restrictions, PVDF is explicitly targeted as part of the broader ban on fluoropolymers due to their persistence, potential toxicity, and environmental accumulation.
By contrast, Westra Materials’s binder platform provides a safe, future-proof alternative that enables battery manufacturers to stay ahead of evolving legislation and consumer expectations for sustainable products, all without compromising on performance.
Westra Materials is unlocking a new generation of high-temperature polymer capacitors with its breakthrough conductive polymer technology. By overcoming the fundamental thermal limitations of existing materials, Westra Materials enables capacitors to operate reliably in environments that were previously inaccessible for polymer-based devices.
Polymer capacitors are essential components in a wide range of electronic systems. They are used for energy storage, filtering, voltage smoothing, and decoupling in power supplies and circuits across many industries. Their small size, low equivalent series resistance (ESR), and excellent frequency response make them particularly attractive for consumer electronics, telecommunications, power electronics, industrial systems, and increasingly in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy infrastructure. However, their adoption in these growing markets has been limited by poor thermal stability.
Today, most polymer capacitors rely on PEDOT:PSS as the conductive material. While effective at room temperature, these devices suffer from significant performance degradation when exposed to elevated temperatures. Above 125°C, capacitance of standard capacitors drops rapidly, and device lifetimes shorten dramatically. This limitation has confined polymer capacitors to relatively low-temperature applications, preventing their use in sectors like automotive, aerospace, power electronics, and renewable energy, all of which increasingly demand components capable of withstanding 150°C or more.
Westra Materials’s conductive polymer overcomes this barrier. Thanks to its intrinsic thermal stability, capacitors made with Westra Materials materials retain their performance at temperatures up to 225°C. This exceptional stability has been demonstrated in long-term thermal aging tests, showing minimal loss of capacitance even under continuous operation at extreme temperatures. The ability to operate safely and reliably at 150°C, 175°C, or even beyond, makes these capacitors uniquely suited for modern automotive systems, industrial power modules, and harsh-environment electronics.
Beyond expanding the operational temperature window, Westra Materials’s technology directly addresses the growing need for more sustainable and longer-lasting electronic components. High-temperature stability translates to extended device lifetime, reducing failure rates, maintenance needs, and replacement cycles.
Westra Materials’s materials are also unlocking new performance levels in solar energy technologies. Used as electron transport materials (ETMs) in next-generation photovoltaic devices, our conductive polymers play a critical role in improving both the efficiency and durability of solar cells. In these devices, the interface between active layers is one of the most sensitive and performance-limiting aspects. Poor energy alignment or unstable interfaces often lead to reduced power conversion efficiency and rapid device degradation.
Westra Materials’s ETMs address these challenges by providing excellent energy level alignment with typical photoactive materials, enabling more efficient charge extraction and reduced energy losses. At the same time, our materials form stable, high-quality interfaces that prevent unwanted chemical reactions and degradation mechanisms at the critical junctions within the solar cell. This dual benefit, enhanced performance and improved stability, translates directly into higher power output and significantly longer operational lifetimes.
By extending the lifespan of solar modules and improving their efficiency, Westra Materials’s technology contributes to lowering the levelized cost of electricity from solar installations, making renewable energy more affordable and competitive. In doing so, we are actively supporting the global transition towards cleaner energy systems, helping to meet ambitious climate targets and accelerating the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions. Our materials are enabling solar technologies to go further, to last longer, perform better, and deliver more sustainable energy to a growing world.