New Evonik lab targets PEEK performance for NEV applications
Last update on Apr 30, 2026
Evonik announced the opening of its PEEK Rectangular Magnet Wire Lab during an inaugural ceremony at the CHINAPLAS exhibition for plastics and rubber. The facility is intended to support polyether ether ketone (PEEK) powder-based applications for electric motors, particularly in new energy vehicles (NEVs), a segment expanding across Asia and globally.
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Focus on key technical challenges in magnet wire applications
From a formulation and materials selection perspective, the development reflects increasing performance requirements for insulation materials in electric-drive systems. As NEV architectures evolve toward higher power density and efficiency, magnet wires used in motors place increasingly stringent requirements on heat resistance, electrical performance, and long-term stability of insulation materials.
According to Evonik, the lab will focus on technical aspects of magnet wire applications, including processing-parameter optimization, coating-structure design, adhesion performance, and control of dimensions and concentricity. The company also reports that, in collaboration with third-party organizations, the facility will conduct reliability testing on properties such as breakdown voltage (BDV), partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV), corona resistance, and oil-aging resistance. These evaluations are intended to support long-term operational performance in electric-drive systems.
“The NEV industry chain in China and across Asia Pacific is rapidly moving upmarket and globalizing, raising the bar for performance limits and delivery speed of critical materials,” said Jinhong Zhang, vice president and general manager of Evonik’s Asia-Pacific region, High Performance Polymers business line.
“This lab will support our work with partners to advance the large-scale adoption of VESTAKEEP® PEEK solutions in electric-drive systems, magnet wires, and equipment. The aim is to further develop our range of VESTAKEEP® PEEK solutions to withstand even higher temperatures, higher voltages, and more demanding operating conditions and as such, provide strong support for improved efficiency and enhanced reliability of NEV electric-drive systems.”
Covers the full process chain
As NEV drive systems evolve toward higher power density, higher efficiency, and greater reliability, magnet wires used in motors place increasingly stringent requirements on heat resistance, electrical performance, and long-term stability of insulation materials.
“By establishing this magnet wire application laboratory, Evonik lays the foundation hopes to work more closely with customers and value-chain partners,” said Felix Teng, director of Innovation Management in Evonik’s Asia-Pacific region, High Performance Polymers business line. “Our aim is to translate the material performance advantages that VESTAKEEP® PEEK has in motor magnet wire applications into full-system solutions that can be verified through testing and scaled up for mass production.”
According to Evonik, the lab covers the full process chain, from copper conductor pretreatment and PEEK extrusion coating to in-line dimensional inspection and final winding. The pilot extrusion line integrates core components sourced internationally and is locally designed and assembled.
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Image credits: Evonik