POSCO Chemical Develops NCMA Cathode Material, Core Component for Next-Generation Electric Vehicle Batteries

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] POSCO Chemical announced that it has completed the development of NCMA cathode materials, a core material for next-generation electric vehicle batteries, and is set to begin commercial production.

POSCO Chemical has been developing technology to supply NCMA cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries, targeting top-tier battery manufacturers. It has completed customer evaluations of prototypes and is preparing for commercial production. According to customer orders, commercial production will initially utilize production lines established in Gumi and Gwangyang.

NCMA cathode materials are manufactured by adding Al (aluminum) to the existing high-nickel NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese composition) cathode materials. This enables the realization of high-capacity batteries essential for extending electric vehicle driving range, while improving stability and output and reducing costs.

Generally, in high-nickel batteries used in electric vehicles, increasing the nickel content increases capacity. However, as the proportions of other raw materials such as manganese and cobalt decrease, stability and output decline, posing technical limitations to raising nickel content above 80-90%. NCMA cathode materials overcome these limitations by utilizing aluminum (Al) to increase nickel content.

The NCMA cathode materials developed by POSCO Chemical increase nickel content to over 80%, significantly enhancing battery capacity. Through a proprietary Al doping process, aluminum is uniformly arranged within the physical structure of the material, and surface coating technology is applied to improve both output and stability.

POSCO Chemical’s move to develop NCMA cathode material technology and commence commercial production aims to secure a technological edge in next-generation materials and actively target the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.

Until now, the electric vehicle battery market has been divided between NCM cathode materials, which offer advantages in capacity and stability, and NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum composition) cathode materials, which excel in output. However, to extend electric vehicle driving range, global battery manufacturers have identified NCMA cathode materials as the next-generation material that combines the advantages of both, accelerating technology development.

NCMA cathode materials will be applied to third-generation electric vehicles capable of driving 500-600 km on a single charge. Industry experts expect that once third-generation electric vehicles are commercialized, they will compete seriously with internal combustion engine vehicles, acting as a catalyst for the popularization of electric vehicles. Additionally, reducing the cost burden of cobalt, a scarce metal with high price and volatility, will significantly lower battery prices.

POSCO Chemical forecasts that the global electric vehicle market will grow from approximately 3 million units in 2020 to over 9.3 million units by 2025, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 25%. The company plans to strengthen its approach to the rapidly growing electric vehicle battery market through innovation in next-generation materials.

Kim Do-hyung, head of POSCO Chemical’s Energy Materials Research Institute, stated, "We will accelerate the advanced development of materials to prepare for future demand and lead the battery materials market. We aim to become the global number one in the energy materials sector with innovative products that satisfy customers and the market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.