배터리 3사(SK ON, 삼성SDI, LG에너지솔루션)는 지난 3월 15일부터 18일까지 서울 코엑스에서 개최된 인터배터리 전시회에 차세대 배터리와 ESG 전략을 강조하는 모습을 보였다.
SK ON exhibits world's first NCM9+ battery with nickel content of over 90%
Samsung SDI's non-cathode technology improves the lifespan of lithium anode materials using solid electrolyte materials
LG Ensol Unveils Next-Generation Battery Portfolio… Commercialization of Polymers in 2026
The trends in the battery industry in 2023 are expected to be next-generation batteries, including all-solid-state batteries, and eco-friendliness.
The three battery companies (SK ON, Samsung SDI, and LG Energy Solution) emphasized next-generation batteries and ESG strategies at the InterBattery exhibition held at COEX in Seoul from March 15 to 18.
The exhibition was an opportunity to see how much research and development has been done by battery companies to lead the market, including the essential requirements that companies must meet, supply chains, and extended driving ranges, in line with global trends such as the shift to electrification and sustainability, including carbon dioxide reduction.
The solid-state batteries exhibited by all three companies are called game changers in the future electric vehicle market as they have superior thermal safety compared to existing lithium-ion batteries, have a low risk of explosion or fire, and have a high energy density of about 1.5 times that of conventional batteries, allowing for more battery capacity per unit volume.
In addition, all three companies are showing a move to contribute to the future of the Earth by emphasizing environmental friendliness in global policies such as RE100 and by promoting battery recycling and reuse.
■ SK ON
SK ON exhibited next-generation batteries that replace liquid electrolytes with sulfide-based solid electrolytes, polymer composite solid-state batteries, and solid-state batteries.
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▲Interbattery SK ON Booth
Sulfide systems have the advantage of high lithium ion conductivity among solid electrolytes. It was reported that this improved the initial capacity development rate by minimizing side reactions at the solid electrolyte-electrode active material interface, and that a high-capacity composite cathode with a nickel content of 88% or more is being developed to improve energy density.
▲SK ON NCM9+ Battery
SK ON also showcased the NCM9+, which won an innovation award at CES 2023.
NCM9+ is a battery that further improves the energy density of NCM9 by increasing the nickel content to over 90% for the first time in the world. Development has currently been completed and mass production is awaited.
In addition, SK ON presented for the first time a diverse battery cell portfolio that had not been disclosed until now, including a 'cobalt-free' battery that completely excludes cobalt, an LFP (lithium/iron/phosphate) battery, and a square battery.
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▲SK ON cobalt-free battery
SK ON recently succeeded in developing a 'cobalt-free' battery, more than a year ahead of its original target date.
In the case of ternary batteries represented by NCM (nickel/cobalt/manganese), if cobalt is absent, there is a limit to the reduced lifespan due to structural instability.
SK ON has achieved this critical milestone through its own coating and doping technologies.Overcame the point.
This technology improves electron mobility and thus battery output, achieving output similar to that of existing ternary batteries.
Furthermore, it is expected that price competitiveness will increase by using nickel or manganese instead of cobalt, the most expensive ternary battery material.
In addition, SK ON exhibited a video showing manufacturing and recycling technologies for the environment.
It is a resource circulation solution covering the entire life cycle of EV batteries, from battery manufacturing to recycling.
After discharging and crushing the battery cells, the copper, aluminum, separator, and black mass are separated. The next step is to recover the lithium present in the black powder in the form of lithium hydroxide through a hydrogen reduction process.
This is a resource recycling solution that goes through a leaching process that dissolves NCM paste in sulfuric acid, extracts nickel, cobalt, and manganese metals, and then uses the recovered metals to produce battery cells again.
■ Samsung SDI
Samsung SDI exhibited a next-generation solid-state battery developed with its own technology.
▲Interbattery Samsung SDI Booth
Samsung SDI's all-solid-state battery features anode-less technology that improves lifespan with proprietary solid electrolyte material and lithium anode material.
▲Samsung SDI all-solid-state battery
In addition, by using a silver carbon layer instead of the existing graphite cathode material, the volume was dramatically reduced, and energy density and performance were increased.
Samsung SDI is scheduled to complete Korea's only all-solid-state battery pilot line in 2023 and is preparing for first mass production in 2027.
Samsung SDI is currently constructing the 'S-Line', the cornerstone of mass production of all-solid-state batteries, on an area of approximately 2,000 pyeong in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do.We plan to internalize an integrated process for solid-state batteries.
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▲Samsung SDI S-Line Plan
We plan to conduct various tests to improve the completeness of the development of all-solid-state batteries, starting with the production of prototype samples in the second half of this year through a pilot line.
In addition, Samsung SDI's booth ESS zone displayed Samsung SDI's new E5S module and rack equipped with a direct injection system and water-cooling system for safety, and various products such as smartphones, wearable devices, AI robots, and power tools could be viewed through the IT zone and Power zone.
In the xEV zone, the BMW 'New i7' was exhibited.
▲BMW New i7 on display at Samsung SDI booth BMW's 'New i7' is BMW's first pure electric flagship sedan and is equipped with Samsung SDI's P5 battery (square).
The P5 battery has achieved high energy density by adding silicon anode technology to high-nickel cathode material with a nickel content of over 88%. In addition to BMW's new i7, it is also installed in the latest electric vehicles such as the iX and i4.
Samsung SDI also showcased its plan to produce 100% renewable energy by 2050.
After joining the RE100 global initiative in October 2022, the company officially declared its goal to convert all of its business sites by 2050, starting with 100% of its overseas business sites by 2025.
Samsung SDI is also promoting recycling and reuse to minimize the environmental impact of batteries with the goal of realizing a sustainable battery circular economy.
We plan to establish a resource recovery process and use the recovered raw materials in battery manufacturing to realize a circular economy and contribute to supply chain diversification.
In addition, Samsung SDI's booth is presenting various eco-friendly strategies, such as manufacturing batteries for micromobility as 'energy sharing' replaceable battery packs.
■ LG Energy Solution
LG Energy Solution (hereinafter referred to as LG Ensol) exhibited next-generation battery, material and process innovation technologies, including all-solid-state batteries and high-energy-density, lightweight lithium-sulfur batteries for improved performance.
▲Interbattery LG Energy Solution Booth LG Ensol, like SK ON, introduced sulfide-based solid-state batteries and polymer-based batteries.
LG Ensol to produce polymers in 2026 All-solid-state battery, plans to commercialize sulfide-based all-solid-state battery by 2030.
▲LG Energy Solution’s next-generation battery portfolio
The polymer-based all-solid-state battery, which can utilize the existing mass production process, is a next-generation battery with enhanced safety as it can operate normally with only a polymer film without a separator at a density of 650Wh/L, and is expected to be applied to medium- to large-sized batteries.
LG Ensol is also moving to lead the battery industry by adding a polymer-based solid-state battery with an energy density of 800Wh/L to its portfolio by 2028.
For sulfide batteries, we are continuing various attempts, such as developing long-life all-solid-state technology with the University of San Diego last year, and are developing an all-solid-state battery with a 10-fold increase in capacity and 500 charge/discharge cycles using micro silicon anode materials.
In addition, the company announced plans to commercialize lithium-sulfur batteries (500 Wh/kg) with advantages in weight reduction and price competitiveness by 2027 and to pioneer new markets centered on aircraft.
Lithium-sulfur batteries are batteries that use sulfur as the anode material and lithium metal as the cathode material. They are inexpensive because they do not use cobalt, and compared to lithium-ion batteries, the density of the sulfur anode and lithium anode is lower and the capacity per weight is higher, so the energy density can be increased by more than 80% (>500Wh/kg).
Equipped with lithium sulfur batteries in 2020 The Korea Aerospace Research Institute's high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle has successfully completed a test flight lasting a total of 13 hours, including 7 hours in the stratosphere (altitude 12-22 km).
In addition, LG Ensol introduced a four-component cathode material that adds aluminum to NCM cathode material composed of nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
▲Introducing LG Energy Solution’s 4-element cathode material
It is a next-generation material that has increased price competitiveness by reducing the content of cobalt, which is a high-priced raw material, increasing the nickel content, and adding inexpensive aluminum materials.
It is characterized by its applicability to various types of batteries, such as cylindrical and pouch types, as a cathode material that can improve safety and lifespan.
Meanwhile, 'InterBattery', a specialized secondary battery industry exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, was first held in 2013 and has established itself as a business platform for forecasting the future of the domestic and international secondary battery industry.
Last year, when the aftereffects of COVID-19 were still present, the scale was 198 companies and 664 booths, but in 2023, it was 500 companies and 1,500 booths, completely washing away COVID-19, and it was crowded with visitors for all three days.
▲Interbattery opening ceremonyan>
At the opening ceremony on the 15th, Jang Young-jin, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, “We will push for a significant increase in the investment tax credit rate for batteries designated as national strategic technologies, and actively consult with relevant ministries so that regulations and difficulties that hinder the industry’s exports and investment can be immediately resolved.” He added, “I hope that the success of this event will serve as a stepping stone for the InterBattery event to establish itself as the CES of the battery industry in the future.”
