Korea's 'Dream Battery': How Close Are We?... Showcasing All-Solid-State Technology at 'InterBattery' (Comprehensive)

InterBattery 2022 Opening

LG Unveils Hummer Truck, First Large Electric Vehicle
Samsung Showcases PRiMX Battery, First Domestic Reveal
SK Presents Ferrari Hybrid Battery and More

On the 17th, at the 'InterBattery 2022' exhibition held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a BMW i4 electric vehicle equipped with the 'Prismatic' Gen5 battery was displayed at the Samsung SDI exhibition hall. This new model, set to be released domestically on the 28th, can travel 378 to 429 km on a single charge. (Photo by Moon Chaeseok)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The core of 'InterBattery 2022,' Korea's only secondary battery exhibition, was 'Electric vehicles on the outside, all-solid-state batteries on the inside.' The three major companies?Samsung, SK, and LG?all showcased complete vehicles equipped with their own batteries as 'hardware.' They also detailed the technological level of the all-solid-state batteries, the core 'software' inside them.

The opening ceremony of InterBattery 2022, held on the 17th at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saw a huge crowd from the opening at 10 a.m. This year marks the 10th edition of the event, with about 250 participating companies setting up around 700 booths. Over three days until the 19th, more than 30,000 buyers and general visitors are expected to attend. LG Energy Solution (540㎡), Samsung SDI (540㎡), and SK On (450㎡) all established the largest booths.

On the 17th, Tesla's Model 5 equipped with LG Energy Solution's high-quality nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) quaternary battery was exhibited at the 'InterBattery 2022' exhibition hall held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Moon Chae-seok)

All three companies prominently displayed their electric vehicle models at the venue. LG showcased General Motors (GM)'s Hummer truck and Tesla's Model Y, both equipped with high-quality nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) quaternary batteries. Samsung presented the new BMW i4 electric vehicle fitted with its PRiMX Gen5 battery brand, and SK displayed the Ferrari PHEV (plug-in hybrid) model SF90 Spider equipped with a compact hybrid battery of about 7.9 kW. LG's Hummer truck was significant as it was the first time a 'mid-to-large' electric vehicle was exhibited at InterBattery. According to GM, it delivers a maximum output of 1000 horsepower and can travel up to 350 miles (approximately 563 km) on a single charge. Samsung's BMW i4, a new model to be released domestically on the 28th, can travel 378 to 429 km per charge. Both Samsung's PRiMX battery brand and the BMW i4 were unveiled for the first time in Korea on this day, attracting attention. SK optimized its small product for hybrid vehicles and maximized initial acceleration performance to suit the characteristics of supercars. An industry insider said, "We aimed to increase interest by exhibiting electric vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries currently sold in markets like the U.S. This is a great opportunity to show the world that high-quality batteries can be applied to various electric vehicles, from small to mid-to-large sizes."

The 'InterBattery 2022' LG Energy Solution exhibition hall features an explanation of the polymer-based all-solid-state battery under development, targeting commercialization in 2026. (Photo by Moon Chae-seok)

Not only the exterior (electric vehicles) but also the content (all-solid-state batteries, fire prevention technology) was substantial. Not only the three battery companies but also material and equipment firms like POSCO Chemical were busy emphasizing that the commercialization plans for the so-called 'dream battery,' the all-solid-state battery, in 2026?2027 are not just dreams but 'reality.' LG, the only domestic company developing both 'polymer-type' and 'sulfide-type' all-solid-state batteries, confidently presented its all-solid-state portfolio. The polymer type aims for commercialization in 2026. The sulfide type was jointly developed with UC San Diego and has been published in the journal Science. The 'Long Cell,' which enables 'over 500 km driving range on a single charge,' also attracted attention. It is described as a product that improves energy density by 16% and driving range by 20% compared to existing products. Samsung, after announcing the groundbreaking of a roughly 6,500㎡ (about 2,000 pyeong) all-solid-state battery pilot line (demonstration production line) three days earlier, revealed its 'all-solid-state battery roadmap' at InterBattery. It addressed visitors' questions about the PRiMX Gen5 used in BMW as well as the currently developing Gen6 all-solid-state battery. SK introduced its heat-blocking technology 'S-Pack,' which contributed to no fires occurring despite installing 300 million battery cells in electric vehicles. This reiterated their existing strategy emphasizing 'battery safety.'

Explanation of 'High-Nickel Cathode Materials' at POSCO Chemical Exhibition Hall, InterBattery 2022. (Photo by Moon Chae-seok)

Among material companies, POSCO Chemical attracted attention by introducing 'single-particle high-nickel cathode material' technology that combines raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese into a single particle structure to extend battery lifespan, along with materials for all-solid-state batteries. Lee Myung-gyu, director of the Korea Battery Industry Association, which organized the event, said, "We prepared this to allow people to experience the latest innovative battery trends in one place," adding, "It will be an opportunity to confirm the competitiveness of domestic battery companies with world-class technological capabilities."

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