SK Nexilis to Exclusively Supply Premium Copper Foil to German Battery Company

Second after Northvolt
Expansion of Market Share in Europe

SK Nexilis, an investment company in SKC's copper foil business for secondary batteries, is accelerating its expansion into the European market by signing a supply contract with German battery manufacturer Varta.

On the 7th, SK Nexilis and Varta announced that they have agreed for SK Nexilis to exclusively supply all the copper foil required for Varta's first mass production project of secondary batteries for electric vehicles. The two companies decided not to disclose the detailed supply volume. They are also in discussions about signing a long-term supply contract for more than five years if additional demand arises from Varta's future expansion.

SK Nexilis will supply Varta with high-quality products that have more than 40% higher tensile strength compared to general products. As the electric vehicle market rapidly grows, global secondary battery manufacturers are pursuing maximized productivity and process stability, which in turn increases the demand for high-quality copper foil. Products with enhanced copper foil strength and heat resistance are essential to withstand fast speeds and harsh processing conditions.

Founded in 1887, Varta is a traditional powerhouse in the primary battery market. Recently, it secured investments exceeding 300 million euros from the German government and others, and is expanding into the secondary battery business for electric vehicles. Production is underway at a pilot line located in Baden-W?rttemberg, Germany. Through this contract, Varta can secure SK Nexilis’s high-quality copper foil and promote stable mass production.

Following a long-term supply contract signed in February this year with Northvolt, the largest secondary battery manufacturer in Europe, SK Nexilis is continuously expanding its market share of medium- to long-term copper foil demand in Europe by signing an exclusive supply contract with Varta. It is quickly securing demand for the volume to be produced at its plant currently under construction in Poland. SK Nexilis plans to sell most of the volume based on medium- to long-term contracts.

An SK Nexilis employee is inspecting copper foil products produced at the Jeongeup plant. [Photo by SKC]

SK Nexilis is the only manufacturer capable of supplying such high-quality copper foil locally in Europe. It is continuously expanding its high-quality copper foil lineup through steady research and development.

An SK Nexilis official said, “The continuous expansion of supply of SK Nexilis’s differentiated high-quality, high-strength copper foil to global customers is very encouraging,” adding, “We will continue to strive to improve our customers’ productivity and contribute to the development of South Korea’s secondary battery materials industry.”

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