In This Article:
-
Investing in the development of solid electrolytes and main ingredient lithium sulfide, key materials for sulfide-based solid-state batteries
-
Securing a competitive edge with patented technology and in-house process development, awaiting final tests by battery manufacturers
-
CEO Ho-sung Kang announces full-scale entry into solid-state battery business, aiming to expand business portfolio
SEOUL, South Korea, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samyang has kick-started its entry into the solid-state battery materials business, positioning itself as a game-changer in the battery industry.
Samyang Corporation(CEO Ho-sung Kang) signed an investment contract worth ₩3 billion with Solid Ionics, a solid electrolyte development and manufacturing company, at the Samyang Group headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This follows a previous investment of ₩2.9 billion in Solid Ionics by Samyang in 2020, bringing the total investment to ₩5.9 billion, reflecting a strong belief in the company's value and technological prowess.
With this investment, Samyang secures a position in the solid-state battery industry by adding solid electrolytes and lithium sulfide (Li2S), key materials for solid-state batteries, to its business portfolio. This move also accelerates the commercialization of products under development by Solid Ionics.
Solid-state batteries, the next generation of secondary batteries, replace the liquid electrolyte between the cathode and anode with a solid electrolyte, significantly reducing the risk of explosions and fires while offering vastly superior energy density. Based on the composition of the materials, solid-state batteries are divided into three types: sulfide-based, oxide-based, and polymer-based. Among these, the market's interest is particularly focused on sulfide-based solid-state batteries, which offer the highest ionic conductivity and the ability to achieve superior energy density.
Solid Ionics is preparing for mass production of solid electrolytes used in sulfide-based solid-state batteries. The company holds a patent for the production of lithium sulfide, the primary material, ensuring a stable supply of materials and competitive pricing.
Furthermore, Solid Ionics has developed a semi-continuous production process where the input of materials and production occur simultaneously, enabling the production of large quantities of products with uniform quality at a faster rate compared to the typical batch production process, which requires producing the same amount in one go each time. A production process capable of manufacturing both large particles for electrolyte membranes and smaller particles for cathode materials, with a monthly output of one ton, has also been established. Solid Ionics plans to complete a production plant in Ulsan by 2027, capable of producing 1,200 tons of sulfide-based solid electrolytes annually, as it gears up for the final commercialization tests with solid-state battery developers.