SK Inno 'Charging' Battery Specialists

'Zero Fire' Unmatched Technology Leading Future Markets

All-Solid-State Lithium Metal, etc.

Next-Generation Product Development Talent

Double-Digit Recruitment Until Next Month

Despite Battery Litigation

Launching Large-Scale Talent Acquisition

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] SK Innovation has launched a large-scale talent acquisition for research and development in next-generation batteries. Although a battery trade secret infringement lawsuit with LG Chem is ongoing, the company has determined that it can no longer delay the development of future batteries. This reflects a strong will to maintain leadership in the next-generation battery market, including all-solid-state batteries, based on technology that has achieved zero battery fire incidents.

SK Innovation announced on the 4th that it will recruit specialized personnel for next-generation product development such as all-solid-state batteries and lithium metal batteries until the end of next month. The number of hires is known to be in double digits. Specific recruitment fields include ▲all-solid-state material development ▲all-solid-state battery cell development ▲lithium metal anode development. These are aimed at developing solid electrolyte and lithium anode technologies, which are spotlighted as "dream battery" technologies.

SK Innovation stated that it plans to continue its unparalleled technological leadership, which currently leads the mainstream lithium-ion battery market, into the future battery market.

Next-generation batteries are technologies that can far exceed the 800Wh/ℓ limit considered a boundary for lithium-ion batteries, achieving over 1000Wh/ℓ. As energy density increases, the volume occupied decreases, allowing more batteries to be installed in electric vehicles to extend driving range.

The industry expects the all-solid-state battery market to grow to 28 trillion KRW by 2035. So far, the technology of the Japanese Panasonic-Toyota Motor alliance is considered the most advanced in all-solid-state batteries. They hold about 40% of the world's patents related to all-solid-state batteries. The two companies aim to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2022. Among domestic companies, Samsung SDI is currently actively developing with a goal to mass-produce all-solid-state batteries by 2027.

SK Innovation is evaluated to have the highest technological capability in the NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) ternary battery field, which is considered the mainstream in the electric vehicle battery market. It leads the market by being the first in the world to develop batteries applying high-nickel cathodes such as NCM622 (60% nickel, 20% cobalt, 20% manganese), NCM811 (80%, 10%, 10%), and NCM9½½ (90%, 5%, 5%). SK Innovation has secured high safety by manufacturing such high-performance batteries and has had zero fire incidents in electric vehicles supplied with its batteries to date.

Lee Sung-joon, Head of SK Innovation’s Technology Innovation Research Institute, emphasized, "We will continue to maintain technological superiority in the next-generation battery market by delivering the safest, fastest-charging, and longest-lasting batteries."

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