Before the physical division, in 2020, LG Chem successfully conducted a 13-hour high-altitude flight test by launching a drone equipped with a lithium-sulfur battery for the first time in Korea.

Following this, LG Ensol plans to commercialize lithium-sulfur batteries as the first next-generation battery for households, and is pursuing commercialization for aviation applications in 2027.

Lithium metal batteries are products that replace graphite-based negative electrode materials with lithium metal, and have the advantage of being able to drastically reduce the weight and volume of the negative electrode material compared to existing lithium-ion batteries.

Due to the above features, it has high usability in electric vehicles and driving robots with large space constraints, and assuming that the same space is used, it can store 1.6 times more energy, so it also has an advantage in driving distance.

LG Ensol is also developing an all-solid-state battery (polymer-based, sulfide-based), which is called a dream battery because it replaces the electrolyte with a solid, has high fire safety and excellent energy density.

LG Ensol said that it is developing a semi-solid battery that uses a hybrid of polymer solid electrolyte and oxide-based solid electrolyte and mixes in some liquid electrolyte to improve performance, and that it is researching to further reduce the liquid electrolyte ratio to further increase safety.

Sulfide-based solid-state batteries have the advantage of high ion mobility compared to other major solid-state materials, polymers, or oxides.

In particular, LG Ensol was the first in the battery industry to apply silicon anode materials, significantly improving energy density and lifespan.

> ■ SK ON

SK ON (hereinafter referred to as SK ON) presented various products and technologies, including more advanced battery rapid charging performance, under the theme of ‘Speed On’ at this year’s InterBattery exhibition.

SK On has unveiled a new product that maintains rapid charging performance while increasing energy density compared to existing SF batteries (Super Fast, rapid charging).

The SF battery is a high-nickel battery first unveiled by SK On in 2021 that can be charged from 10% to 80% of the cell capacity in just 18 minutes.

SK On has developed the Advanced SF Battery by dramatically reducing cathode resistance through a special coating method, shortening the lithium-ion movement path by applying a cathode alignment method, and implementing an optimized rapid charging protocol using analysis technology that can maximize the battery charging speed.

The Advanced SF battery has a 9% higher energy density than this while maintaining the rapid charging time. The higher the energy density, the more energy can be stored, which increases the driving distance on a single charge.

SK On also introduced the SF+ battery, which shortens the rapid charging time from 18 minutes to 15 minutes.

By placing high-capacity silicon and low-resistance graphite in SK On's unique double-layer structure, the lithium-ion movement distance was reduced and the movement speed was increased.

Also unveiled was the 'Winter Pro' LFP battery with improved low-temperature performance..

While the driving range of conventional LFP batteries decreases by 50-70% at low temperatures (-20℃), the Winter Pro LFP battery increases energy density by 19% and increases the charge capacity and discharge capacity at low temperatures by approximately 16% and 10%, respectively, compared to conventional LFP batteries.

In addition, SK On introduced the non-aqueous process, a technology for manufacturing positive electrode active materials for high-nickel batteries, at the ‘Innovative Technology’ section of its booth.

Residual lithium generated when making positive electrode active materials can generate unnecessary gases during battery operation and create byproducts on the surface, which can reduce positive electrode performance.

SK On has improved the performance of the anode by replacing it with a waterless process using a dedicated coating material developed with its own technology.

This process transforms residual lithium into a protective layer that protects the cathode active material, which suppresses gas generation at the cathode and prevents the cathode slurry from turning into a gel.

■ Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI revealed its mass production status and roadmap for all-solid-state batteries (ASBs) for the first time at this year’s InterBattery exhibition.

Samsung SDI's ASB has high energy density and safety that is approximately 40% higher than the square battery (P5) currently in mass production.

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Samsung SDI's all-solid-state battery PRiMX ASB uses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte and, unlike all-solid-state batteries in the same industry, has a novel cathode structure that controls dendrites without lithium metal, resulting in improved cycle life.

Samsung SDI announced that it completed the ASB pilot expansion in the first half of 2023, has completed sample production, and will proceed with mass production in 2027.

Samsung SDI is in full swing with the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries, including producing samples at the S-Line of the SDI Research Institute, led by the newly established ASB Commercialization Promotion Team at the end of last year. It is also reducing the volume of the cathode through improvements in its own solid electrolyte material and innovative cathode-less technology. The plan is to achieve industry-leading energy density by adding ash.

Samsung SDI also showcased a new form factor square battery with improved energy efficiency and cooling system by moving the battery terminals from top to side, as well as a module-less cell-to-pack technology at the front of its booth.

This technology reduces the number of parts by more than 35% and weight by 20%, enabling high energy density and innovative cost reduction in the same volume.

In addition, it is a heat diffusion prevention technology that minimizes heat transfer between batteries by quickly discharging high heat and gas that may be generated in the event of a fire or impact on the battery through a vent (exhaust port), and won the 'ESS Best Innovation Award' at the 'InterBattery 2024 Awards'. The company also introduced its flagship ESS product, SBB (Samsung Battery Box), which won an award.

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