SK On’s prismatic battery push fares well: Vice chair

MUNICH -- SK On Co. is making good progress in developing prismatic battery cells, its Senior Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won said on Tuesday, five months after the South Korean rechargeable battery maker unveiled its prototype.

"We are working well on the development of prismatic batteries. We have everything ready,” he told reporters, implying that SK On is supplying their samples to potential customers.

He said this on the sidelines of IAA Mobility 2023, an international mobility show held Sept. 5-10 in Munich, Germany. Chey also leads SK Group as vice chairman.

In March, SK On presented its first prismatic battery prototype at InterBattery 2023 as it strives to diversify beyond its mainstay pouch-type cells.

It plans to test-run the production within the year. Prismatic batteries typically have a higher energy density and longer life cycle than other types of cells.

While SK On did not make a debut at IAA Mobility 2023, Chey toured the trade show to catch up with global trends in the battery and electric vehicle industries and browse its foreign rivals’ latest technologies, while buiding on relationships with future customers such as BMW.

Last month, he discussed the further strengthening of business cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Group, when its Chairman Ola Källenius visited South Korea.

 
In reference to Chinese battery makers, Chey said he witnessed their significant progress in technology development.

“It seems like they are doing a lot more diverse business than the last time I saw them,” he added.

The vice chairman did not reply to a question about any plans to collaborate with other EV makers beyond its current customer list. 

About 660 companies showcased their future mobility technologies for cars, automotive components, batteries and automotive electronics at IAA Mobility 2023, the largest ever in terms of the number of participating companies.

Write to Nan-Sae Bin at binthere@hankyung.com
 

Yeonhee Kim edited this article.