EcoPro BM is establishing an 'All-Solid-State Team' to facilitate the early commercialization of all-solid-state batteries, which will integrate raw materials, components, and cells.
According to EcoPro BM, a kickoff meeting was held on August 26 at a location in Gyeonggi Province with related companies and research institutes to advance the government's 'Super Eul Project.'
The Super Eul Project is a government initiative aimed at nurturing key companies in the materials, parts, and equipment sector to secure world-class technology and lead the global supply chain through research and development (R&D) support.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy selected EcoPro BM and four other companies as Super Eul enterprises.
All-solid-state batteries are considered next-generation batteries that replace traditional liquid electrolytes with solid ones, significantly enhancing safety and energy density. They are deemed suitable for electric vehicles and next-generation platforms such as humanoid robots.
EcoPro BM plans to proactively implement solid electrolyte technology by controlling various process variables, including crystallinity, impurity removal, and particle size uniformity, based on the supply of high-purity Li2S (lithium sulfide) from raw material suppliers.
The project involves not only the industrial sector but also research institutions such as the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI), the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and Hanyang University. These institutions aim to establish a comprehensive value chain integrating 'raw materials-components-cells' for all-solid-state batteries, in line with the government's plans to secure future growth engines.
Additionally, EcoPro BM is operating a pilot plant with a capacity of 40 tons per year to secure process technology in the sulfide-based solid electrolyte sector, which is a key material for all-solid-state batteries.
EcoPro BM aims for the early commercialization of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries by 2027, sharing its development roadmap for domestic cell production and strengthening strategic collaborations.
Jung Hyun-soo, head of future technology at EcoPro BM, stated, "We will optimize mass production processes based on the success of the pilot phase to reduce manufacturing costs and enhance differentiated process technology to support the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries for cell manufacturers without any setbacks."
Meanwhile, EcoPro BM is pursuing a capital increase of 1.2 trillion won, citing the purpose of the capital increase as investment in the BNSI nickel refinery in Indonesia.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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