Samyang to develop biomaterials for battery heat management

South Korea’s Samyang Corp. signed a partnership agreement with local tech venture Nano Tim on Feb. 20 to jointly develop thermal interface materials (TIM) for the heat management of lithium-ion batteries. 

Samyang is set to boost the production of biomaterials, made with plants such as corn, for electric vehicles' interior parts and batteries.

The two parties will combine their technologies to create eco-friendly materials. Nano Tim is supplying heat management materials for Hyundai Motor Co.’s all-electric IONIQ 5 and Kia Corp.’s EV6.

Samyang will use starch-based isosorbide, a base material for various kinds of biodegradable derivatives, for the joint development. The company developed isosorbide in 2014 for the first time in Korea.

While thermal management is important for EV batteries' efficiency, safety and charging and discharging rates, many heat management systems are using petrochemical materials.

Samyang has been also researching biodegradable polycarbonate (PC), which is used for auto components, plastics and protective films for smartphone screens, as part of a project backed by the Korean government since 2021. 

The company established the first isosorbide manufacturing plant in Korea last November and has been mass-producing eco-friendly adhesives for electric motors. It is also accelerating the commercialization of car parts made with PC in the local EV market.

Write to Seo-Woo Jang at suwu@hankyung.com

Jihyun Kim edited this article.