SK nexilis will be the exclusive supplier of high-quality copper foil to VARTA, Germany.
● SK nexilis will be the sole supplier of copper foil to VARTA, an established leader in the European battery market, needed for its first mass production project.● Following the contract with Northvolt in February, SK nexilis has established its position as Europe’s only high-quality copper foil supplier by entering into business with a major European EV battery manufacturer.SK nexilis, SKC’s EV battery copper foil production subsidiary, signed a supply agreement with Germany’s battery manufacturer VARTA accelerating its expansion in the European market.SK nexilis and VARTA have agreed on an exclusive supply of the copper foil required for VARTA’S first EV battery mass production project. In addition, they are negotiating a long-term supply contract of over five years to meet additional demand resulting from VARTA’s future expansion. Details of the supply scale under the contract will not be disclosed according to the agreement between the two companies.Established in 1887, VARTA has traditionally led the primary battery market. With the recent investments of more than 300 million euros from the German Government and other entities, VARTA is seeking to expand its business to EV batteries. Production is underway at a pilot line located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This agreement will allow VARTA to source high-quality copper foil from SK nexilis, enabling it to move forward with stable mass production.Following the signing of a long-term supply contract in February this year with Northvolt, the largest EV battery manufacturer in Europe, SK nexilis signed an exclusive supply agreement with VARTA. These agreements will allow SK nexilis to continuously expand its share of the European copper foil market in the mid- to long-term through the copper foil to be manufactured at the copper foil plant in Poland currently under construction. Europe is a fast-growing market based on the intra-region supply chain development policy for EV components and materials. SK nexilis plans to sell most of its production under mid- to long-term contracts.SK nexilis will supply VARTA high-quality copper foil with a tensile strength 40% higher than standard products. The rapid growth of the EV market is driving demand for high-quality copper foil as global EV battery manufacturers seek to maximize productivity and ensure manufacturing stability. This is because copper foil products with enhanced strength and heat resistance are essential to withstand the high-speed and harsh manufacturing process. SK nexilis has successfully won contracts one after the other, being the only manufacturer capable of supplying such high-quality copper foil locally in Europe. Furthermore, it is continuously expanding its high-quality copper foil lineup through consistent research and development.An SK nexilis executive said, “We are very encouraged by the continued expansion of SK nexilis’ differentiated high-quality, high-strength copper foil supply to global clients,” and added, “We will continue to strive in improving our clients’ productivity and developing the South Korean EV materials industry.” [End of document]
2023-08-07
SKC joins hands with Toyota Tsusho of Japan to accelerate entry into the North American EV battery market
● SK nexilis agrees on incorporating a JV with Toyota Tsusho··· jointly investing in a production subsidiary in North America and collaborating in sourcing raw materials ● Building momentum to make presence in world’s biggest EV market···implementation of global production chain on track next to Malaysia and Poland SKC (CEO & President Woncheol Park) joins hands with Toyota Tsusho (豊田通商) of Japan to build a system to facilitate long-term supply of quality cooper foil to North America known to be world’s biggest EV market.SK nexilis, SKC’s EV battery copper foil production subsidiary, held an MoU (memorandum of understanding) signing ceremony with Toyota Tsusho, a trading arm of Toyota Group, on the 28th to consider incorporating a joint venture (JV) to produce and supply copper foil in North America. SK nexilis and Toyota Tsusho have agreed to invest jointly going forward to establish a copper foil production joint venture in North America and partner with each other in manufacturing and supplying high-quality copper foil products in the long term that meet the expectations of prospective customers in the region. The MoU ceremony, held in the head office of Toyota Tsusho located in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, was attended by distinguished leaders of the two parties, including SKC CEO & President Woncheol Park, CEO Jae-hong Lee of SK nexilis, CEO & President Ichiro Kashitani, Executive Vice President Akihiro Sago, and COO Masaharu Katayama of Metal Division at Toyota Tsusho. Battery production throughput in North America targeted by SK nexilis and Toyota Tsusho as the destination of their joint venture under consideration is projected to grow explosively from 2025. However, as the local production volume of copper foil in the region currently falls short of 1,000 tons a year, deficit in copper foil supply is expected to be manifested soon. The MoU will translate into greater momentum for SK nexilis’ global expansion. It is expected that the MoU will enable SK nexilis to access potential customers requiring massive quantity of supply and secure a more stable bedrock for market entry before shelling out full-scale investment in North America next to Malaysia where commercial operation is set to begin this year and Poland where production capacity is to be completed next year. SK nexilis is also one step closer to its goal of global supply chain capable of delivering 250,000 tons a year including North America. The MoU will also allow Toyota Tsusho to lay down groundwork to supply quality copper foil to the region.The two companies will also collaborate in sourcing key ingredients. Toyota Tsusho is working on several projects to secure access to a variety of EV battery ingredients such as lithium in Argentina. The partnership is also expected to help SK nexilis more readily source raw materials for cooper foil needed by its North Korean production facility. They will also create more synergy, collaborating in prospecting new customers, for instance.“The MoU will lead our investment in North America to success and enable us to roll out a global production chain encompassing Asia, Europe, and North America,” an official at SKC said. ”Collaboration between SK nexilis distinguished for its world’s best copper foil production expertise and Toyota Tsusho known to be competitive from sourcing to distribution of key raw materials for EV battery will pump out greater competitive edge from both companies in the global EV market.” [End][SKC’s copper foil business subsidiary SK nexilis collaborates with Toyota Tsusho of Japan to put in high gear its entry into North America. SKC CEO & President Woncheol Park, CEO Jae-hong Lee of SK nexilis, COO Masaharu Katayama, and Executive Vice President Akihiro Sago of Toyota Tsusho are posing for a photo, holding the copy of the MoU.]
2023-07-31
SKC joins hands with POSCO Group to build up business competitiveness for next-gen EV battery materials
● Exchanged signed MoU copies on the 30th··· in presence of CEO Woncheol Park of SKC, Vice President Byungok Yoo of POSCO Holdings, and other high-level executives.● Agreed to collaborate in developing cathode materials for next-generation batteries such as lithium metal as well as manufacturing processes, and sourcing other key ingredientsSKC (CEO & President Woncheol Park) joined hands with POSCO Group in the cutting-edge EV battery materials sector. SKC is expanding its business presence across the entire spectrum of EV battery materials such as silicone-based cathode materials as the global leader of copper foil production for EV batteries. POSCO Group, completing a value chain ranging from raw materials for EV batteries to anode/cathode materials. Other next-generation materials are expected to create a powerful synergy by partnering with each other.SKC and POSCO Holdings concluded an MoU for a far-reaching partnership in the next-generation EV battery materials sector at SKC Head Office in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 30th. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by management leaders of both parties including CEO Woncheol Park, Head of Business Development Junghwan Shin of SKC, Vice President Byungok Yoo in charge of eco-friendly future materials, and EV Battery Materials Business Team Leader (Senior Executive Director) Kyungseop Lee of POSCO Holdings to name a few.On signing the MoU, the two companies vowed to develop cathode materials for next-generation batteries such as lithium metal cathode and collaborate in developing cutting-edge material production processes in a bid to spearhead innovation in the future-oriented EV battery market. Lithium metal-based anode materials feature high capacity, 10 times higher energy density than conventional graphite cathodes, and it is highlighted as a next-generation cathode material applicable not only to lithium-ion battery but also solid-state batteries. They will also collaborate mutually in sourcing key ingredients for EV battery materials. By partnering with POSCO International, seasoned in trading minerals including copper which is the raw material for copper foil, SKC will be able to source raw materials more stably to meet increasing demands way forward. The two companies plan to roll out a joint steering organization staffed with working-level staff members in their respective relevant subsidiaries. SKC is the unchallenged global leader in the EV battery copper foil market thanks to SK nexilis. In particular, drawing upon its unmatched technological excellence, the company has a wide range of product offerings that can meet varying demands of different customers, including high-strength and high-elongation copper foil and ultra-thin foil that is just 4 ㎛-thick. SKC ventured into silicone cathodes business as well on a full scale, investing in the U.K. tech firm Nexeon last year. The partnership with POSCO Group will enable SKC to lay the groundwork for the lithium metal cathodes business.POSCO Group has preemptively built up a value chain covering the entire spectrum of EV battery materials ranging from minerals such as lithium and nickel to anode/cathode materials and other next-generation materials. In particular, POSCO Group rolled out R&D initiatives on lithium metal anode materials in 2017 ahead of others, with a plan to commercially release them by 2026. Furthermore, POSCO Group is forging a series of partnership with EV and battery makers one after another and the business partnership with SKC will drastically beef up business competitiveness in the next-generation anode materials sector.“Synergy between SKC’s technological excellence in materials and POSCO Group’s powerful infrastructure will enable the two companies to secure a strong leadership in the next-generation EV battery materials market,” said CEO Woncheol Park of SKC. “We will foster partnership actively to turn up the competitiveness of Korea’s EV battery industry by a notch.”Vice President Byungok Yoo of POSCO Holdings commented, “We expect collaboration between POSCO Group and SKC commanding vantage points for the EV battery business covering anode/cathode materials to result in great synergy in the EV battery market.” [End]Photo 1 caption: CEO Woncheol Park of SKC (left) and Vice President Byungok Yoo of POSCO Holdings in charge of eco-friendly future materials holding the signed copies of the MoU on their business partnership for next-generation EV batteries at SKC Head Office, in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 30th.Photo 2 caption: Management leaders of the signing parties including CEO Woncheol Park of SKC (the second from the left) and Vice President Byungok Yoo of POSCO Holdings in charge of eco-friendly future materials (the third) to name a few are holding the signed copies of the MoU on their business partnership for next-generation EV batteries at SKC Head Office, in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 30th.
2023-05-30
SK nexilis showcases super-gap copper foil technology at InterBattery 2023.
● SK nexilis will run a booth at the COEX Exhibition Center at Gangnam for 3 days from March 15 to 17 that will be 2.5 times bigger the size than last year’s show and will have a real-size copper foil on display.● Introducing the overwhelming global top technology of high-elongation and high-strength copper foil, global expansion plan, and community activities for mutual growth.SK nexilis, a copper foil business for EV batteries in which SKC (CEO & President Woncheol Park) has invested, will display a full-size copper foil that embodies the world’s best technology at InterBattery 2023, the largest industrial battery exhibition in South Korea that will be held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul for 3 days from March 15.SK nexilis has designed a 135 square meters booth under the theme of A World-changing Technology and Indispensable Copper Foil for EV Batteries. The booth reflects the copper foil’s color and dynamics. The first zone titled Welcome to SK nexilis Zone will have on display a real, factory-produced mother roll of copper foil. This full-size roll is composed of a copper foil with a thickness of 5 micrometers (㎛), 1/25 the thickness of a human hair, and a width of 1,358mm that is wound into a 48-kilometer roll and weighs up to 3.6 tons. SK nexilis is the one and only booth operator that will showcase to the public a life-size copper foil. SK nexilis’ technology of manufacturing a thin copper foil wider and longer strikingly raises the productivity of battery manufacturers. As the copper roll gets longer, it cost and time gets significantly lower for clients to replace a roll, thereby greatly contributing to maintaining quality. In addition, a more use of extra-wide copper foil will lead to producing wider areas of anodes in the same amount of time. In the New Mobility Frontier Zone, the copper foil production process is modeled for display. The entire process from melting, coating, and slitting the raw material to inspection before shipping is presented in an easy-to-understand manner that will allow both industry insiders and general public to easily understand how the product is manufactured. The Global No. 1 Innovator Zone will mainly feature videos to introduce SK nexilis’ products. Visitors will be offered details of each product like high-strength products which have seen a recent increase in demand due to the acceleration of the battery manufacturing process and high-elongation products that are essential for next-generation cylindrical batteries. Being the first in the world to develop a high-elongation product, SK nexilis is being well-received as the only company with a variety of copper foil product groups that cater to different battery manufacturers’ processes.SK nexilis has leveraged its technological competitive edge and signed a big supply contract last month with Northvolt, the largest battery manufacturer in Europe, to cover almost 80% of the demand for five years from 2024. Additional negotiations are in progress with multiple global companies. At the Global Network Zone of SK nexilis’ booth, visitors will see the company’s ongoing facility expansion in Malaysia and Poland in addition to its plans to build a global production system with an annual production capacity of 250,000 tons by 2026 thus broadening its customer base.An SK nexilis executive said, “At InterBattery, we will communicate our technology and plans to build a global production system, making it easy for our major clients and industry insiders as well as the general public to understand,” and added, “People will see for themselves the overwhelming process technology embodied throughout the production process and the manufacturing technology that supports a variety of our product lineups.” [End of document][Image of SK nexilis booth at InterBattery 2023]
2023-03-14
SK nexilis signed a mid- to long-term copper foil supply contract with Northvolt, Sweden.
● SK nexilis will supply Northvolt with copper foil produced in Poland for five years from 2024 worth up to KRW 1.4 trillion, enough for 1.7 million electric vehicles. ● SK nexilis emerges as the one and only top-tier manufacturer capable of supplying a large number of high-strength wide copper foil to the European market.SK nexilis, an invested subsidiary of SKC (CEO & President Woncheol Park) in the copper foil business for rechargeable batteries signed a large-scale, mid- to long-term supply contract with the Swedish company Northvolt, the largest rechargeable battery manufacturer in Europe.On February 17 (local time), SK nexilis concluded a contract with Northvolt at Northvolt headquarters in Stockholm to supply cooper foil for rechargeable batteries produced at its plant in Stalowa Wola, Poland for five years from 2024. The contract’s volume is about 80% of copper foil needs required by Northvolt during the contract period, which amounts to KRW 1.4 trillion and can be used to for 1.7 million electric vehicles. From 2024, SK nexilis will run the plant in Poland with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons.The signing ceremony on this day was attended by key officials from both companies including SK nexilis General Manager of Marketing Jeongkyu Kim and Northvolt’s Co-founder and COO Paolo Cerruti. SK nexilis and Northvolt agreed to take this agreement as an opportunity to strengthen their mid- to long-term cooperation.Northvolt is the most powerful local manufacturer in Europe in the global battery market dominated by South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese companies. It has received investments of more than KRW 1 trillion from European automakers including Volkswagen and Volvo and is working to construct a large-scale local production facility with a total capacity of 150 gigawatt-hours (GWh). With this contract with SK nexilis, Northvolt will have a stable and eco-friendly supply of copper foil, a key material for secondary batteries, and begin to mass-produce batteries. According to the market research agency SNE Research, the global copper foil market for rechargeable batteries is expected to grow to 75,000 tons by 2025 from 27,000 tons in 2021 with a high annual average growth rate of more than 40%. In particular, the competition for first-mover advantage is fierce because the market is expected to face a short supply of wide copper foil (with more than 1m-width) from next year which can drastically increase the productivity of rechargeable batteries. This is because new facilities of top-tier battery manufacturers have built-in wide copper foil processes whereas wide copper foil production of most manufacturers only accounts for 30-50%.Wide copper foil accounts for more than 90% of SK nexilis production based on its overwhelming technology. In addition to the overwhelming production of wide copper foil, the products are well-received for their high strength and excellent price. This technology and competitive price are behind Northvolt’s selection of SK nexilis as its mid- to long-term copper foil supplier. Apart from the plant in Poland, SK nexilis plans to complete the construction of its Malaysian plant and start its investment in North America this year to build a system that can immediately respond to the demands of each region’s battery manufacturers.An SK nexilis executive said, “With this mid- to long-term deal between SK nexilis, which has the world’s best copper foil manufacturing technology, and Northvolt, the largest European battery manufacturer, the competitiveness of both companies in the global electric vehicle market will further be enhanced,” and added, “SK nexilis is in negotiations with multiple global top-tier battery clients for additional mid- to long-term contracts and the results will be announced soon.” [End of document][SK nexilis signed a contract with Northvolt to supply cooper foil for rechargeable batteries in mid- to long-term. SK nexilis General Manager of Marketing Jeongkyu Kim (right) and Northvolt’s COO Paolo Cerruti are signing the contract at Northvolt headquarters in Stockholm.]
2023-02-19
SK nexilis develops the world’s first high-elongation V copper foil
Developing
the world’s first V copper foil featuring an elongation rate higher than
conventional products by more than 30% and passing customer’s evaluationMass
production targeting high-capacity cylindrical battery cells to start in full
swing next year, with the market set to grow at 23% on annual average by 2030
SK nexilis, a
rechargeable battery copper foil-producing subsidiary of SKC (President:
Woncheol Park) has completed the development of the world’s
first high-elongation V copper foil for 4680 battery cell, a next-generation
high-capacity cylindrical battery cell.
SK nexilis has
completed the development of V copper foil featuring an elongation rate*
outclassing conventional products by more than 30% and passed customer’s
evaluation for the first time in the global copper foil industry. After
mass-production evaluation, the V copper foil will be embedded in 4680 battery
cells to be mass-produced by the customer. A 4680 battery is a cylindrical
battery 46mm wide and 80mm long, delivering five to six times higher energy
density and output than conventional product (2170 battery).
*Elongation rate: a rate at which copper foil
is elongated without breaking when stretched
The high-elongation V
copper foil of SK nexilis features a high elongation rate to address issues
arising in connection with the expansion of the anode inside the battery in
energy recharging/discharging cycles. Given typical battery structures, it is
suitable for cylindrical rechargeable batteries where the anode expands at a
relatively higher rate. In particular, high-capacity cylindrical battery cells
for electric vehicles such as 4680 battery essentially require copper foil with
very high elongation rate.
Major EV makers are
positively considering the adoption of high-capacity cylindrical batteries as
it can be manufactured more affordably and deliver excellent performance
compared with pouch or square-shaped batteries. According to an industry
source, the cylindrical battery market is set to grow at a whopping rate of 23%
on annual average by 2030, with high-capacity products leading the upward
trend. Production of copper foil for cylindrical batteries is also expected to
jump from 43,000 tons in 2022 to 230,000 tons in 2030.
Accordingly, demand for the high-elongation V copper foil of SK nexilis
will rise rapidly. Capable of manufacturing world’s thinnest, longest and
widest copper foil configuration, SK nexilis already succeeded in
mass-producing the industry’s first-ever ultra-high-strength U copper foil with
a tensile strength of 65kgf/㎟, completing a full
lineup of high-strength copper foil products. Addition of high-elongation V
copper foil to the lineup will enable SK nexilis to roll out a product lineup
extensive enough to deliver physical properties required by customers,
enhancing battery performance and productivity at the same time.
“SK nexilis’ untiring commitment to R&D has
paid off with the mass production of high-elongation V copper foil in addition
to high-quality and high-strength copper foil lineup,” said a source in SK
nexilis. “Combining the existing capability of manufacturing super-thin,
super-wide and ultra-long copper foil configuration with technological
excellence in delivering diverse physical properties required by customers, SK
nexilis will supply the world’s highest-quality copper foil and spearhead the
rechargeable battery industry of Korea.” [End]
2022-11-13
SK nexilis and its production bases, Jeongeup-Stalowa Wola, sign a three-party agreement to build a model of coexistence
SK nexilis’ investment will facilitate local economy revitalization of Jeongeup
and Stalowa Wola, and the cities’ promised expanded support for licensing and infrastructure.SK nexilis will support prioritized recruitment of local talent near the
production bases and revitalization of commercial areas in addition to expanding
social contribution activities.
SK nexilis, a company invested by SKC (President Woncheol Park) and
engaged in the copper foil business for rechargeable batteries, is revitalizing
local economy and expands its social contribution through partnership with
local communities where its manufacturing facilities are located.
SK nexilis signed a three-party agreement at Jeongeup
Plant in Jeollabuk-do on November 7 together with Jeongeup-si and Stalowa Wola,
Poland, to build a sustainable model of coexistence between business and local
community. The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders of each party
including President Jae-hong Lee of SK nexilis, Jeongeup Mayor Hak-su Lee and Mayor
of Stalowa Wola Lucjusz Nadberezny. While Jeongeup is SK nexilis’ domestic
manufacturing base, another SK nexilis’ cooper foil plant is under construction
in Stalowa Wola which will be the largest of its kind in Europe.
Officials from Jeongeup-si and Stalowa Wola, who were
present at the signing ceremony, mentioned that the construction of SK nexilis
manufacturing facilities has brought a great help to the local economy by
attracting people into the regions and revitalizing commercial areas. They promised
to further expand licensing and infrastructure support. The two cities agreed
to run a training program linked to SK nexilis recruitment and provide support
for constructing facilities such as accommodation and dormitories for partners
who are needed to operate the manufacturing plants.
SK nexilis also agreed to prioritize candidates from
Jeongeup-si and Stalowa Wola in recruitment, and actively engage in creating positive
economic effects by revitalizing nearby commercial areas. In addition, SK
nexilis will expand social contribution activities such as support for training/startup
programs and hosting cultural events.
SK nexilis is working harder than ever to increase
production capacity through large-scale expansion of its manufacturing
facilities. This year, Jeongeup plant was expanded to an annual production
capacity of 52,000 tons, which will be followed by planned expansions in
Europe, North America and Asia. New constructions are also in progress with no
particular issue for the production facility in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, which
is expected to be completed by 2023 with an annual production capacity of
50,000 tons and the production facility in Stalowa Wola which started
construction July this year and is targeted to go to mass production in 2024.
Candidate sites for expansion in North America will soon be confirmed and
announced as well.
The agreement is expected to reinforce the collaborative
relationship between Stalowa Wola and SK nexilis. After exchanging the MOUs, Stalowa
Wola officials went on a field trip to Jeongeup plant to look around office
facilities and production lines, and saw for themselves a smart office system providing
convenience to workers and state-of-the-art copper foil manufacturing
facilities.
An SK nexilis executive said, “This MOU of coexistence
between SK nexilis and the cities where its production bases are located will
facilitate sustainable collaboration to revitalize local commercial areas,” and
added, “We will further strive to build a global production system and maintain
a favorable cooperative relationship with the local communities.” [End of document]
2022-11-07
SK nexilis develops the technology to produce U battery foils for the first time in the industry
Building a full copper foil lineup for rechargeable batteries with
tensile strength more than twice that of existing foilsResponding to future market needs of rechargeable batteries with
ultra-thin foil manufacturing technology together with high-strength, high-heat
resistant foil manufacturing technology
SK nexilis (CEO & President
Woncheol Park), the cooper foil business unit for rechargeable batteries of SKC,
developed the technology to produce ultra-strength (U) cooper foil and
successfully rolled out a full lineup of high-strength cooper foils. The
high-strength cooper foil is developed to meet future market needs of durable rechargeable
batteries such as faster processing speed and greater product capacity, enhancing
the price competitiveness of rechargeable batteries and expanding battery
capacity.
The company successfully developed the
technology for mass production of U cooper foil with a tensile strength of
65kgf/㎟ for the first time in the
industry. This means that the new cooper foil can withstand more than two times
the pulling force of existing standard products. The mass production technology
allows the company to build a full lineup of four types of U cooper foil with a
tensile strength of 40~65kgf/㎟.
SK nexilis has the cooper foil lineup to
satisfy the needs of customers, a so-called BEST which is an acronym of battery
(B), elongation (E), strength (S), and thin (T). It represents the standard
battery foil (B) commonly used in diverse applications, battery foil with enhanced
elongation rate (E), battery foil with reinforced tensile strength (S), and
battery foil less than 5 ㎛ (T) thick. The newly
added product is the ultra-strength (U) battery foil with higher tensile
strength compared to the S battery foil.
The high-strength cooper foil has high
heat resistance, which can withstand high temperatures without physical changes.
SK nexilis can also make 4㎛-thick (1/30 of human
hair), 1.3 m-wide, and 30 km-long cooper foil per roll
An anode material for rechargeable batteries goes through the
process of coating the cooper foil with anode substances like graphite and
silicone. Fast coating speed and rapid drying at high temperatures offer price
competitiveness, yet increases the risk of defects as the cooper foil is torn
or creased. The high-strength cooper foil has high tensile strength and high heat
resistance, reducing the risk of defects and improving productivity.
The high-strength cooper foil is a good solution for the
battery capacity expansion trends. The application of thin cooper foil increases
the coating area of anode substances to expand battery capacity, but can cause a
risk of failure in the process. However, risk will be reduced if high-strength
cooper foil is used.
To improve the physical properties of
cooper foil, SK nexilis has focused for a decade on developing the additive
technology which is the key to control the physical properties of copper foils.
The effort to enhance additive technology in realizing and retaining the
desired properties led to the successful development of cooper foil with
revolutionary tensile strength and high heat resistance. The addition of handling
technology in making thin, wide, and long cooper foil for stable mass
production also allows for the production of high-strength thin foils in
various thicknesses.
“With
the expansion of EV battery capacity and the improvement of productivity
becoming important, the high-strength cooper foil market is expected to grow
rapidly more than 10 times over the years,” said an SK nexilis official. “We
will contribute to the advancement of the EV and rechargeable battery industry through
continuous R&D efforts to develop high-end, high-quality foils,” added.
[The End]
[Cooper foil production; SK nexilis secures
the technology to produce U battery foil with a tensile strength more than
twice that of existing products to build a full lineup of high-strength cooper
foils.]
2022-08-02
SKC breaks ground for Europe’s biggest-ever copper foil plant in Poland
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Stalowa Wola, Poland·· the President
of Poland expressed gratitude through a video message.Annual production capacity of 50,000 tons, excellent customer accessibility,
availability of new and renewable large-scale energy··· “No. 1 copper foil
production base in Europe.”Plan to complete a global production system with an annual production
capacity of 250,000 tons in Korea, Malaysia, Poland and North America by 2025.
SK nexilis, 100% invested by
SKC (President: Woncheol Park) and engaged in the copper foil business for rechargeable batteries, is starting
the construction of a copper foil plant in Poland which will be the biggest of the
kind in Europe. Following the plant in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, this is SK nexilis’ second plant abroad
that will function as an essential production base for SK nexilis to position itself
as the top global copper foil player in the rapidly growing market of rechargeable
batteries.
SK nexilis held a groundbreaking
ceremony at the Stalowa Wola E-Mobility Complex, Poland on July 7 (local time) to
begin full-out construction of its copper foil plant. A total of 900 billion
KRW is invested to build a manufacturing facility with a production capacity of
50,000 tons by the first half of 2024. This is by far the largest copper foil
plant in Poland in terms of capacity among the plants either under construction
or planned for construction. SK nexilis aims to have the plant in full
operation in the second half of 2024 after commissioning production and client
confirmation.
The groundbreaking ceremony
was attended by important Poland government leaders including Deputy Prime
Minister of Poland Jacek Sasin, Mayor of Stalowa
Wola Lucjusz Nadbereżny and Minister of
Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk in addition to Ambassador Hoonmin Lim at the
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Poland, SKC President Woncheol Park and SK
nexilis President Jae-hong Lee. The President of Poland Andrzej Duda said
through a video message, “It is great to hear the news that an innovative
technology project of SK nexilis, a global e-mobility market leader, is taking
place in Poland,” and expressed his gratitude saying, “I hope new jobs can be created
and Poland can develop further through this project.”
SK nexilis’ Poland plant will be
a key production base in Europe. The plant has great access to clients as it is
located close to major global rechargeable battery manufacturers. Given that the
trend of building a supply chain in the region is being intensified by European
battery makers, this location will facilitate timely response to local demand. In
addition, it will become easier to attract talent and pursue industry-academia collaboration
since Jessup University of Technology is not far from the plant.
As
it will also become possible for SK nexilis to secure large-scale electricity with
new and renewable energy, a complete transition to RE100, currently being applied
by SK nexilis to new facilities will also become achievable. SK nexilis plans to get hold of
a 170,000-pyeong site in the E-Mobility Industry Complex where the production
capacity can be expanded up to 150,000 tons a year so as to review later whether
or not to make further long-term expansion depending on
the growth of the European market.
Including the Stalowa Wola plant, SK nexilis will build a production system
with an annual production capacity of 250,000 tons in South Korea, Malaysia, Europe
and North America by 2025. SK nexilis already started to construct a plant in
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia July last year with a production capacity of 50,000 tons
aiming to full operation in 2023. Full supports are also being given by the local
government throughout the entire process including large facility warehousing and
transport.
Another plan is on its way to build a copper foil plant in the U.S. with
an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons. Aiming to full operation in 2025,
possible candidate sites for expansion are under review at the moment. When the
plant in the North America finally starts mass production, SK nexilis will have
a global production system connecting South Korea to deal with strategic, technical
supports and higher value products; Europe and North America being in charge of
maintaining a close relationship with the customers; and the Malaysian plant serving
the role of bridgehead targeting the Asian market based on competitive price.
An SKC executive said, “The Stalowa Wola plant will become the No. 1
copper foil plant in Europe with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons,
excellent customer accessibility as well as large new and renewable energy
availability,” and added, “By 2025, SK nexilis will expand its annual global
production capacity up to 250,000 tons and secure a high level of technology
through continuous investment in R&D so as to position itself as a global
leader.” [End of document]
[SKC President Woncheol Park is
offering a congratulatory message at the groundbreaking ceremony of SK nexilis
cooper foil plant which was held on July 7 (local time) at Stalowa Wola
E-Mobility Complex, Poland.]
[On July 7 (local time), key participants
including SKC President Woncheol Park (second
from the left) are listening to the video message of the President of Poland
Andrzej Duda for SK nexilis copper foil plant construction at the
groundbreaking ceremony. The participants from the left are: SK nexilis President
Jae-hong Lee, SKC President Woncheol Park, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland
Jacek Sasin and Hoonmin Lim the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Poland.]
2022-07-08
SKC Accelerates Next-Generation Anode Material Business for Secondary Batteries
Finalized a USD 80 million investment in cooperation with
SJL Partners, BNW Investment, and Kiwoom PE in Nexeon (U.K.) Established a business operation company for quick mass
production of silicon anode materials... with a target to start commercial
operation in 2024
SKC is ramping up its silicon anode material
business, a next-generation material that can significantly improve the
performance of rechargeable batteries. Having invested in Nexeon, the UK-based
silicon anode technology company, SKC plans to establish a business operation
company to accelerate commercialization.
SKC has formed a consortium with SJL
Partners, BNW Investment, and Kiwoom PE to complete a USD 80 million investment
in Nexeon, and secured an equity stake in Nexeon with the business rights for
silicon anode materials. The SKC Consortium plans to establish a business
operation company to begin mass production this year based on the business
rights acquired through investment in Nexeon. The goal is to begin commercial
operation by early 2024. As the primary operator of the consortium, SKC will
play the lead role in the business.
The higher content of silicon anode in the rechargeable
battery is known to improve the battery charging speed and the mileage
performance of electric vehicles. Therefore, silicon anode material has
attracted attention as a next-generation material in the electric vehicle
market. According to a market research firm, the material’s market size is
expected to grow to USD 2.9 billion in 2025 and USD 14.6 billion in 2030. Batteries
of electric vehicles are divided into low (less than 15%) and high content (15%
or more) depending on the silicon content in the anode. Electric vehicles are
currently in the initial stage of the commercialization of low-content products.
Nexeon, a technology startup founded in the U.K.
in 2006, has the technology to mass produce silicon anode materials with
excellent performance and cost-effectiveness within a short period. In
particular, it holds the largest number of important patents related to silicon
anode materials.
SKC plans to quickly enter the silicon anode
material business by combining Nexeon’s differentiated technology with global
mass production and marketing capabilities. This year, we will establish a
business operation company to commercialize low-content products, expand into
the global market, and commercialize high-content products in a joint venture
with Nexeon ahead of market opening.
In particular, SKC plans to provide
differentiated solutions to its customers in cooperation with SK Nexilis, which
boasts the world's best copper foil technology. Our advanced material solutions
include using high-strength and high-elongation copper foil technology that
withstands the volume expansion of silicon anode materials to increase the
proportion of silicon anode materials in rechargeable batteries.
An SKC spokesman stated, “We will provide rechargeable
battery material solutions that offer unrivaled quality and cost-effectiveness by
leveraging both of our companies’ competitive advantages onto the world’s best
copper foil technology. The silicon anode material business is on track to grow
quickly to make us the best global ESG material solution provider.” [End]
2022-01-26
