Sasol Chemicals, a business unit of Sasol Ltd. and LOTTE Chemical have agreed to conduct a pre-feasibility study of a joint project to build, own and operate a plant to produce battery-grade electrolyte solvents, key components of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The companies will assess the suitability of Sasol's locations near Lake Charles in the United States and Marl in Germany for a facility that could produce a variety of battery-grade electrolyte solvents, using feedstock provided by Sasol and third parties and employing proprietary technologies of both LOTTE and third-party licensors. Electrolyte solvents enable lithium-ion batteries by allowing lithium ions to travel more easily between the battery's anode and cathode.

Lithium-ion batteries are likely to be the key power source for electric vehicles.