Lotte Energy Materials Completes Development of Next-Generation Copper Foil for All-Solid-State Batteries

Electrode Current Collector for Sulfide-Based All-Solid-State Batteries
Nickel Thickness and Copper Foil Strength Adjustable

Lotte Energy Materials is taking the lead in the copper foil business by successfully developing next-generation copper foil for all-solid-state batteries.

On the 27th, Lotte Energy Materials announced that it has completed the development of nickel-plated foil for all-solid-state batteries. Nickel-plated foil is a material with nickel plated on both sides of electrolytic copper foil, characterized by excellent electrical conductivity as an electrode current collector for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries and strong corrosion resistance.

Nickel-plated foil developed by Lotte Energy Materials (Provided by Lotte Energy Materials)

In particular, the thickness of the nickel and the strength of the copper foil can be adjusted in various ways according to customer requirements. Additionally, through nickel surface treatment, it has high adhesion with active materials and possesses high corrosion resistance that maintains its original properties and functions without corrosion or discoloration caused by chemical reactions.

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries cause corrosion of copper foil due to sulfur, making stainless steel (SUS), nickel foil, and nickel-plated foil essential. However, SUS and nickel foil have high costs, so nickel-plated foil, which plates both sides of existing copper foil, is gaining attention as a material for sulfide-based solid electrolyte batteries.

Lotte Energy Materials secured competitiveness compared to other companies by collaborating with domestic battery manufacturers from the early stages of nickel-plated foil development to optimize it for all-solid-state processes. Currently, it is conducting sample evaluations of nickel-plated foil tailored to the processes and form factors of major domestic customers. Various forms of nickel surface treatment research are also being conducted in parallel to secure adhesion with active materials, and the company plans to communicate separately with the market once it reaches the order stage.

Furthermore, Lotte Energy Materials revealed that it has started reviewing the battery composite substrate business following inquiries from major domestic and international customers. Recently, it has held technical meetings with leading composite copper foil companies in China and other major domestic and international firms, analyzing customer requirements and market conditions from multiple perspectives.

Composite Copper Foil is manufactured by depositing and plating copper on both sides of polymer films such as PET and PP. It has the advantage of reducing copper usage compared to conventional copper foil, securing cost competitiveness and reducing weight. However, products used in electric vehicles require stability and advanced technology, creating high entry barriers. To replace conventional copper foil, composite copper foil must be thinner due to the addition of PET or PP, so it must have ultra-thin technology with high electrical conductivity as well as strength and elongation.

Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin (fourth from the left) visited the Lotte Energy Materials Smart Factory located in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia on the 17th to check the status of the secondary battery materials business. (Provided by Lotte Holdings)

In addition to electric vehicle battery foil, Lotte Energy Materials leads the market by producing printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flexible copper clad laminates (FCCL), which are core materials used in a wide range of electronic products including TVs, computers, and smartphones. Leveraging its experience in developing PET materials for semiconductor PKG that can withstand high temperatures around 140℃, the company plans to overcome technical challenges related to battery composite copper foil through collaboration with customers.

Kim Yeon-seop, CEO of Lotte Energy Materials, stated, "The copper foil industry is a market that requires a complex combination of experience, technology, capital, and binding with customers, making it difficult for latecomers to enter. As the first domestic company to succeed in localizing copper foil, we will secure leadership in the next-generation copper foil market with our accumulated technology and take the lead in future growth industries."

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