LG, SK, Samsung unveil next-generation battery roadmaps at InterBattery

South Korea’s three major battery makers are showcasing their latest rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles while unveiling their roadmaps for next-generation batteries.

At the InterBattery 2022, which opened on Thursday for a three-day run, LG Energy Solution Ltd., SK On Co. and Samsung SDI Co. showed off their technologies and placed their global partners' EVs on display.

The show is Korea’s largest battery industry exhibition co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Battery Industry Association. About 250 Korean and foreign companies are attending this year’s event to showcase their technologies, according to the organizers.

LG Energy, the world’s second-largest battery maker, at its booth, showcased the latest electric cars made by its partners, including General Motors’ Hummer EV – a surprising sight in Korea – and the Tesla Model Y, the best-seller globally in 2021. The Hummer EV runs on a battery jointly developed by LG and GM.

SK On, which recently spun off from SK Innovation Co., presented the Ferrari SF90 Spider, a plug-in hybrid, and Hyundai Motor Co.'s Genesis GV60 and the Mercedes-Benz EQA.

Samsung SDI, a unit of Korea’s top conglomerate, showed BMW’s electric SUV iX and iX coupe equipped with Samsung’s latest battery, called Gen 5 and sold under the brand PRiMX.

The Gen 5 battery is a high-performance battery with 88% nickel content, meaning high energy density and thus longer range.

NEXT-GENERATION BATTERIES

The Korean battery trio also unveiled their roadmaps for the development of next-generation batteries, which are safer and have higher charging capability.

LG Energy, which produces the NCMA or nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum batteries, said it will unveil high-performance solid-state batteries by 2026 and lithium-sulfur batteries by 2030. Lithium-sulfur batteries, which are lighter than other types, are suitable for urban air mobility vehicles.

SK On showed off its NCM9 battery with 90% nickel content. Ford Motor’s all-electric F-150 Lightning uses SK On’s NCM9 battery as its power source.

SK said on Thursday it aims to unveil a next-generation NCM9 battery with up to 98% nickel content by 2029.

Samsung SDI said it will unveil the Gen 6 battery with 91% nickel content by 2024, the Gen 7 battery with 94% nickel content by 2026 and an all-solid-state battery by 2027.

CONCERNS OVER SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

Heads of Korea’s three battery makers, who attended the opening ceremony for the InterBattery 2022, all expressed concerns over possible disruptions in the supply of battery raw materials such as nickel and cobalt, particularly in the wake of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

“If the war in Ukraine is protracted, the Korean battery trio will be severely hit by the shortage of battery raw materials,” said Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman of Samsung SDI and the head of the Korea Battery Industry Association.

LG Energy President Lee Bang-soo said the company is seeking to launch a joint venture or invest in raw materials producers to ensure stable procurement.

Samsung SDI’s new Chief Executive Choi Yoon-ho said the company is doubling efforts to launch a planned battery JV with Dutch-domiciled multinational automaker Stellantis N.V. earlier than scheduled.

Last October, Samsung announced that it partnered with Stellantis to build a multi-billion-dollar battery facility in the US, joining other Korean battery makers’ move to gain ground in one of the world’s largest electric vehicle markets.

Meanwhile, battery material producers also participated in the battery show, unveiling their latest technologies.

POSCO Chemical Co. showcased single-crystal cathodes, a new battery material known for its strength in enhancing the mileage, durability and safety of EV batteries.

Korea Zinc Co., the world’s largest lead and zinc smelter, showed its high-purity nickel sulfate and copper foil at the InterBattery 2022.

Write to Il-Gue Kim and Jeong-Min Nam at Black0419@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.