Henkel

Henkel EV battery adhesives sit alongside coatings, thermal interface materials, sealants and potting compounds in the e-mobility portfolio of its Adhesive Technologies business, which supports automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers from Battery Engineering Centers in Düsseldorf and Madison Heights, Michigan. A third centre in Shanghai is under development. The range extends from cell and pack materials into the power electronics and electric drive systems around the battery.

Cell and pack materials built around thermal and safety demands

Henkel EV battery adhesives start at cell level with assembly adhesives for prismatic, cylindrical and pouch cells, alongside conductive coatings that reduce electrical resistance between the active material and aluminium foil in lithium-ion cells. Dielectric coatings applied by an automated spray process are offered as an alternative to PET foils. Thermally conductive adhesives combine thermal conductivity with structural strength, and safety potting for cylindrical cells provides heat resistance and shielding to prevent thermal propagation.

At pack level the range covers structural adhesives for aluminium and multi-metal frames, fire protective coatings for thermal runaway events, and Gap Filler thermal materials for heat management. Liquid gasketing for pack housings seals against environmental influences and fluids, and is designed to allow the cover to be reopened while meeting UL 94 flame retardancy.

Power conversion and electric drive materials

For onboard chargers, inverters and DC/DC converters, Henkel supplies SIL PAD and HI-FLOW thermal interface pads, GAP PAD products, cure-in-place Gap Filler, thermal potting, conformal coating and gasketing, as well as silver sintering paste for die attach and THERMAL CLAD insulated metal substrates. In electric drives, the portfolio includes magnet bonding for motor assembly, thermal potting, gasketing for drive housings and LOCTITE retaining compounds for bearings and bushes.

Engineering centres, simulation and circular battery design

The Battery Engineering Centers are TISAX certified and cover modelling and simulation, automated material dispensing and battery system testing, including temperature, humidity, leakage and ageing tests. Düsseldorf houses a Battery Application Center and a Battery Test Center, while Madison Heights has a Battery Application Center and the Global Center of Excellence for Functional Coatings.

Henkel is also developing debonding-on-demand technology that uses thermal or electrical triggers to separate battery cells and components for repair, reuse and recycling. The company co-founded the Path.Era digital battery passport ecosystem and belongs to alliances including The Mobility Alliance with RLE International, Catena-X and the Global Battery Alliance.