Lotte Energy Begins Construction of Pilot Production Facility for All-Solid-State Battery Electrolytes

Lotte Energy Materials is establishing production facilities for solid electrolytes, a core material for next-generation all-solid-state batteries.

On the 5th, Lotte Energy Materials announced that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for pilot facilities to produce "sulfide-based solid electrolytes" by investing 15 billion KRW at its Iksan Plant 2 in Jeonbuk. The ceremony was attended by CEO Kim Yeon-seop, Ryu Jong-ho, Head of Strategic Research Division, Yoon Seong-han, General Plant Manager, and Hwang Min-jae, Director of Lotte Chemical’s Comprehensive Technology Institute.

Having started research on solid electrolytes in 2018, Lotte Energy Materials plans to utilize 1,619㎡ of land at Iksan Plant 2 to establish facilities with an annual production capacity of up to 70 tons by the end of June. The company intends to enter full-scale operation after trial runs and stabilization phases by the end of this year.

They plan to supply samples to domestic and international all-solid-state battery companies and aim to secure supply contracts within 2025. Additionally, they are considering expanding production facilities to an annual capacity of 1,200 tons targeting mass production in 2026.

All-solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes that transport lithium ions, and these electrolytes are categorized into sulfide, oxide, and polymer types. Lotte Energy Materials has completed the development of high-ion-conductivity nano-scale sulfide-based solid electrolytes by applying low-cost dry synthesis methods and special wet synthesis methods, which have excellent physical properties.

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes are sensitive to moisture and are manufactured and handled in dry rooms with dew points below minus 50℃. Through government R&D projects, the company is additionally developing high-ion-conductivity moisture-stable sulfide solid electrolytes that can be manufactured and handled even at dew points of minus 35 to minus 45℃, which are typical for existing lithium-ion battery processes.

Higher moisture stability not only reduces dry room operating costs during the manufacturing of solid electrolytes and all-solid-state batteries but also allows maintaining existing dry room process conditions. This means current process conditions can be applied without additional investment, which is advantageous.

CEO Kim Yeon-seop stated, "Many battery companies and material suppliers are advancing research, development, and commercialization of solid electrolytes, intensifying competition within the industry. Through proactive investment, we will secure major customers based on our uniquely differentiated quality and cost competitiveness."

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