Next Month KABC 2020 to be Held... What is the Future of the Battery Market After COVID-19?

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Amid the expanding global economic instability caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), an event will be held to discuss the current status and prospects of the domestic and international electric vehicle industries.

SNE Research, a market research firm specializing in secondary batteries for electric vehicles, announced on the 12th that it will hold KABC 2020 (Korea Advanced Battery Conference) over two days from the 17th to 18th of next month at COEX in Seoul.

KABC 2020 is considered the largest secondary battery specialized conference held in Korea. This year marks its 11th edition.

This year’s KABC 2020 has been prepared to provide industry insights following the global pandemic of COVID-19. The coronavirus, which struck the world this year, has shaken the global economy. The electric vehicle industry, which was expected to experience significant market growth starting this year, has also begun to attract more curiosity regarding its future growth direction.

The two-day conference will focus on secondary batteries and electric vehicles on the first day. Key speakers will include representatives from domestic and international secondary battery and major automobile companies involved in electric vehicle businesses. Notably, most of the major domestic companies known as the “K-Battery Alliance” have confirmed their participation as speakers.

On the first day, from domestic secondary battery companies, Kim Hyung-sik, Executive Director of Product Planning at LG Chem’s Automotive Battery Division, and Lee Han-ho, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing at Samsung SDI, will participate as speakers.

From major automakers, Kim Chang-hwan, Executive Director and Head of the Eco-friendly Energy Lab at Hyundai Motor Company, and Dr. Arnold Lamm of E-Technologies, who was responsible for electric vehicle development at Germany’s Daimler, will give lectures.

At SNE Research, CEO Kim Kwang-joo and Vice President Kim Dae-gi will present on market trends and key issues, as well as Tesla’s electric vehicle strategy analysis and outlook, respectively.

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On the second day, which focuses on secondary battery materials, participation from major domestic and international material companies is also scheduled.

First, Dr. Nam Sang-chul from the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST) will lecture on issues and directions in next-generation cathode material development. RIST is a research institute established by POSCO and is responsible for research and development for POSCO Group affiliates. POSCO Chemical manufactures and mass-produces cathode and anode materials for secondary batteries within POSCO.

Additionally, Professor Cho Jae-pil from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) will present on single-crystal cathode active materials, and Vice President Oh Ik-hwan of SNE Research will discuss the competitiveness of NCM and LFP cathode materials.

Single-crystal cathode active materials and LFP are fields recently attracting Tesla’s interest, drawing industry attention.

Regarding mineral materials used as raw materials for cathode materials, Roskill, a mineral-specialized market research firm, will also participate in KABC 2020 to give a lecture on rare metals for secondary batteries.

Besides cathode materials, speakers from electrolyte and copper foil manufacturers Solbrain and SK Nexilis (formerly KCFT), including Director Park Jeong-hwan of the Battery Materials Division and Research Director Jeon Sang-hyun, will participate.

Due to safety concerns arising from COVID-19, KABC 2020 will strictly enforce safety measures such as mask-wearing, temperature checks, and social distancing. Some overseas speakers will deliver their presentations via online video conferencing or pre-recorded video lectures.

Pre-registration for KABC 2020 is available until the 6th of next month through the SNE Research website and email, with discounted registration offered. Afterward, registration will be conducted on-site during the event.

An SNE Research official stated, “As this is the event that receives the most attention in the secondary battery industry, we have carefully selected topics that will attract significant interest. Through in-depth lectures by key industry figures, attendees will gain a clear understanding of the future prospects of the electric vehicle market.”

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