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| This March 2020 file photo shows a production facility of SKC in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Korea Times file |
SKC, an advanced materials maker under Korea's SK Group, said Tuesday it is joining hands with steel giant POSCO Holdings to develop next-generation secondary battery components as part of efforts to boost competitiveness in the rapidly growing industry.
SKC and POSCO signed a comprehensive business agreement earlier in the day, under which they will work together to develop anode materials, one of the key components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, with a focus on lithium metal anodes that come with an enhanced energy density, SKC said in a release.
Anodes determine the battery life span and charging speed. While graphite is the most widely used feedstock for commercial lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal is emerging as a new source for potential application in solid-state batteries, a next-generation cell that battery makers are working on to produce on scale.
SKC and POSCO will also collaborate on the sourcing of raw materials for battery components, they said. SKC's subsidiary, SK Nexilis, is the world's largest producer of copper foil used in EV batteries, and POSCO has its commodities trading unit, POSCO International, under its wing.
SKC is expanding its battery materials portfolio, with the investment last year in a British developer of silicon anodes, among others.
POSCO is pushing for a pivot to green energy materials, including EV battery components. Since 2017, it has embarked on research and development for lithium metal anodes and plans to commercialize the product in 2026. (Yonhap)
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| In this March 2, 2022 file photo, POSCO CEO Choi Jeong-woo waves the POSCO Holdings flag during its launching ceremony at the POSCO center in Seoul. Yonhap |
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