SK On Unveils Prismatic and LFP Batteries at 'InterBattery'

Product Line Diversification and Global Competitiveness Expansion Strategy

Exterior view of the SK On InterBattery exhibition hall. Photo by SK On

SK On, which has mainly produced pouch-type batteries, will unveil a real model of a prismatic battery for the first time. The strategy is to expand global competitiveness by meeting the diverse demands of automakers through the development of various form factors.

SK On announced on the 9th that it will exhibit a real model of a prismatic battery at 'InterBattery 2023,' the largest domestic battery exhibition held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, starting on the 15th. SK On has completed prototype development and plans to start prototype production within this year.

The prismatic battery made by SK On is characterized by fast charging speed. The rapid charging battery that won the Best Innovation Award at CES in the U.S. earlier this year can charge up to 80% in 18 minutes. SK On has further increased this speed with its prismatic battery. By adding prismatic batteries to the existing pouch type, SK On expects to diversify its supply sources even more.

SK On plans to theme this year’s InterBattery exhibition as 'Move On.' Last year, when it participated in InterBattery for the first time since its establishment, the theme was 'Power On,' meaning 'throwing down the gauntlet.' Now, it presents 'Move On' to signify expansion and development.

The highlight of this year’s exhibition is SK On’s diverse cell portfolio, which has not been revealed until now. It will showcase cobalt-free batteries, LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, and prismatic batteries. The next-generation solid-state battery containing SK On’s unique technology will also be unveiled in a real model for the first time.

Prismatic battery that SK On will unveil at InterBattery. Photo by SK On

SK On succeeded in developing a cobalt-free battery ahead of schedule by more than a year. Ternary batteries usually have a short lifespan due to structural instability without cobalt, but SK On overcame this critical drawback. Additionally, its proprietary high-nickel technology improved the energy density issue of cobalt-free batteries, securing driving range. By using nickel or manganese instead of cobalt, the most expensive material in ternary batteries, price competitiveness is also expected to increase.

A prototype of the LFP battery will also be unveiled at this exhibition. LFP batteries experience a sharp drop in driving range to 50-70% at low temperatures (below minus 20 degrees Celsius), but SK On raised this to 70-80%. This was achieved by applying the material and electrode technologies accumulated through high-nickel batteries to LFP batteries. Although LFP batteries have a shorter driving range compared to ternary batteries, they are cheaper to produce. This achievement is regarded as capturing both technology and cost advantages at once.

The prototype of the next-generation solid-state battery under research will also be revealed. Kyunghwan Choi, head of next-generation batteries at SK On, will speak at the InterBattery conference on the opening day, the 15th, under the theme 'Solid-State Batteries: SK On’s Technology Strategy for Safer Batteries.' SK On is developing sulfide-based solid-state batteries as well as polymer and oxide-based solid-state batteries to realize safe batteries with high energy density.

An SK On official said, "We plan to introduce SK On’s present and showcase advanced battery technologies that will unfold in the near future," adding, "If SK On has established itself as a global cell maker with world-class technology, it will further expand global competitiveness and meet diverse customer demands through portfolio diversification going forward."

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