Xaar strengthens position in EV battery coatings with Sokan New Materials Group Partnership

Xaar’s leading inkjet technology is enabling the production of next-generation battery coating fluids from Chinese manufacturer, Sokan New Materials Group – marking yet another partnership for Xaar in this fast-growing sector, and a clear sign of the shift away from traditional film coating methods.

As the first company to develop inkjet printheads specifically for battery coating, Xaar is enabling the jetting of advanced fluids that enhance safety, efficiency and scalability in EV battery manufacturing thanks to its Xaar eX and Nitrox eX printheads.

With the EV market growing rapidly and battery packs required to perform under higher voltages and tighter thermal constraints, traditional PET film coatings are increasingly unable to meet performance requirements. However, high-viscosity, inkjet-printed UV coatings – such as those from Sokan – address this gap by delivering superior dielectric strength, durability and consistent layer uniformity, all of which are essential for the reliability and safety of new generation batteries.

To support the testing, development and jetting of these advanced high viscosity coatings, Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology is a key enabler. Its printheads can jet fluids with viscosities up to 1000 centipoise (cP) at ambient temperature (approximately 100 cP at jetting temperature), significantly expanding the available range of printable functional materials.

This is also supported by Xaar’s TF Technology for continuous ink recirculation and Sure Flow for built-in self-cleaning, ensuring consistent performance, lower maintenance and reliable scale-up for industrial applications. Together, these technologies deliver the reliability and flexibility required for Sokan to formulate and apply its specialised, high-performance coatings at scale.

Xaar first partnered with Sokan Group in 2021 to further advance inkjet technology for EV batteries. This collaboration has resulted in the launch of the industry’s first mass-production inkjet printing line for cylindrical EV batteries, which has received strong customer feedback, highlighting its success and potential for widespread adoption.

Sokan New Materials Group was founded in March 2009 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020.

The company specialises in chemical product manufacturing, offering a wide range of innovative functional coating material solutions for industries such as consumer electronics, industrial automation and manufacturing. Its products are widely used in 3C product markets, including mobile phones, laptops, wearable devices and smart home appliances, as well as in the passenger vehicle sector. These offerings have helped the company secure a significant market share in the chemical segment.

Brian Ling, Chairman and CEO of Sokan commented on the collaboration: “After four years of dedicated efforts, we possess deep technical expertise and feel that the market is poised for explosive growth.

“Xaar’s inkjet technology offers the reliability and performance essential for jetting our high-viscosity battery coating fluids. This partnership enables us to bring a new generation of coatings to market more efficiently than ever.”

Sokan has invested over ¥50 million (£5 million) into the development of a complete solution across material, process and equipment R&D. Currently, more than ten customers are in both production and sampling phases of the technology, with widespread adoption expected to continue throughout 2025.

With Chinese technology leading the global charge in next-generation energy batteries and inkjet printing emerging as the new standard for coating applications, the collaboration between Xaar and Sokan exemplifies the shift already underway across the battery manufacturing industry.

Chris Ellis, Xaar Group Sales and Marketing Director added: “Our partnership with Sokan underscores Xaar’s commitment to driving innovation in the EV sector by tackling key challenges in battery coatings.

“As more companies look for flexible, scalable alternatives to traditional processes, we look forward to continuing our work with industry leaders like Sokan as inkjet cements its role in the future of battery manufacturing."