[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] LG Chem is the first in Korea to begin mass production of high-nickel single particle (single crystal) cathode materials. LG Chem announced on the 26th that it has mass-produced high-nickel single-particle cathode materials for next-generation batteries at its cathode materials plant in Cheongju from June. The first production quantities are scheduled to be sent to global customers from July. LG Chem plans to expand its single-particle cathode material production line to the Gumi plant by 2027 to have an annual production capacity of more than 50,000 tons.

A single-particle cathode material is a material in which various metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese are made into single particles. It is evaluated as a cathode material that can solve problems such as lifespan and capacity, which are the core challenges of next-generation batteries.

LG Chem is the first to mass-produce high-nickel single particle cathode materials in Korea. LG Chem has been conducting research and development for mass production of single-particle cathode materials since 2021 to improve the gas generation problem of batteries.

In the initial mass production, LG Chem produces a mixture of single particle cathode materials and conventional cathode materials at a ratio of 2 to 8. After that, it plans to gradually change to a cathode material containing 100% single particles. The applied products are also planned to be expanded to 4680 cylindrical batteries (diameter 46mm, length 80mm) as well as pouch type.

Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol of LG Chem said, “High-nickel single-particle cathode materials are a game-changing innovation in the future battery material market.” said.

 

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