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
SKC to start full-fledged investment in copper foil in Europe, the largest EV market
SKC-Polish
authorities signed an investment agreement with high-ranking officials
including the Polish PM expressing active supportTo
invest over 900 billion won in the ‘E-Mobility Industrial Complex’ in Stalowa
Wola, Poland to build a plan with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons.
Fast
decision to expand capacity in response to rapidly increasing demand for
batteries with a goal of securing the world's largest production capacity by
2025
SKC (CEO Lee
Wan-jae) has decided to make Poland the copper foil production base in Europe,
where there are a host of major global secondary battery manufacturers and
start investing in earnest. Since May, SKC has been consulting with the Polish
government on investment conditions, among others, to build
a production facility for copper foil, a core material for
rechargeable batteries, in Europe.
On November 18th
(local time) at the Rzeszow University of Technology in Stalowa Wola City,
Poland, SKC and its copper foil manufacturing subsidiary SK nexilis signed an
investment agreement with the Polish authorities to build a copper foil factory
in the nearby E-Mobility Industrial Complex. SKC plans to build a copper foil
production facility with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons in the complex by
investing more than 900 billion won. The goal is to start construction in the
first half of 2022 and start commercial production as early as in 2024.
The event was
attended by key executives including SKC President Lee Wan-jae and SK nexilis
CEO Kim Young-tae. On the Polish side, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz
Morawiecki, Mayor Lucjusz Nadberezny of Stalowa Wola, and high-ranking
officials from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency attended the ceremony,
expressed gratitude for SKC's investment and pledged to actively support it.
The Stalowa Wola
E-Mobility Industrial Complex in Poland is a future industrial complex
designated by the Polish government through a special bill in August 2021. It
has excellent customer accessibility as it is just 5-8 hours away from the
factories of major global rechargeable battery manufacturers. In addition to
the benefits of simplified taxation and administrative procedures, SKC can also
promote industry-university cooperation with an engineering university nearby
while fully implementing the RE100 initiative with a large volume of
electricity readily available from renewable energy in the area.
Following the
start of construction of a 50,000-ton plant in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia in July
of this year, SKC quickly started investing in Europe in earnest. SKC plans to
grow into the No. 1 copper foil company in Europe, the world's largest EV
market, by introducing production processes deploying innovative technologies
to the continent and enhancing local responsiveness to major customers. Most
notably, SKC is considering increasing its production capacity in Europe to a
total of 100,000 tons.
In addition, SKC
is pushing for an investment of 50,000 tons in the US; The goal is to increase its
production capacity to a total of 250,000 tons by 2025 by adding 52,000 tons in
Jeongeup, 50,000 tons in Malaysia, and 100,000 tons in Europe. SKC is planning
to secure a production scale commensurate with its highest technological
prowess worldwide and continue to solidify its position as No. 1 copper foil
manufacturer across the world.
An SKC official
said, "In order to respond to the increasing demand for copper foil, we
are pulling the commercial operation schedule of our domestic factories forward
while rapidly promoting overseas expansion," adding, “We will build
production facilities equipped with the world’s very best technologies by
actively investing in the production base for Europe with the largest number of
our customers. We will provide them with the best copper foil solutions as a
way to boost our customer value.”
2021-11-18
SKC embarks on the next-generation anode material business for rechargeable batteries
● Held BOD meeting on Nov. 1st and decided to form a consortium with SJL Partners and BNW Investment to invest in Nexeon, UK● Following the commercialization of glass substrates last week, SKC declared to embark on the anode material business, accelerating execution of its Financial Story● To maximize synergy with the copper foil business and provide differentiated mobility material solutions that customers wantSKC (CEO Lee Wan-jae) is promoting in full force the business of silicon anode material, the next-generation material for rechargeable batteries, which improves the mileage and charging speed performance of electric vehicles. The material is in the initial stages of commercialization. SKC is promoting new businesses such as silicon anode material business in earnest, accelerating the execution of its “Financial Story,” the company’s growth strategy for the next five years.SKC held a board meeting on the 1st and decided to invest US$33 million in Nexeon, a British silicon anode material technology company, by forming a consortium with private equity fund managers SJL Partners and BNW Investment. The three companies will make a total investment of US$80 million, with the SKC-BNW consortium investing 51% and SJL Partners 49% in the consortium through recruited investors. The main operator of the consortium, SKC will secure a portion of Nexeon's stake and business rights for silicon-carbon composite anode material technology when related procedures such as the business combination reporting are completed.In September, SKC held 'SKC Investor Day' and unveiled its Financial Story focusing on rechargeable battery materials including next-generation anode materials and cathode materials and semiconductor glass substrates for high performance computing. Last week, SKC decided to commercialize glass substrates, a new material that it has developed for the first time in the world followed by the specification of its entry into the silicon anode material business, which is the next-generation material for rechargeable batteries, speeding up its execution of the Financial Story. Silicon anode material is mixed with existing graphite anode material. The higher its content, the better the EV mileage and the rechargeable battery charging speed performance. The market outlook is bright. According to a market research institute, the size of the silicon anode material market is estimated to grow from US$400 million in 2020 to US$2.9 billion in 2025 and $14.6 billion in 2030. The material is divided into low content (within 15%) and high content (more than 15%) depending on to the silicon content in the anode. Currently, low-content products are in the early stage of commercialization.A technology startup established in 2006, Nexeon has secured technology required to mass-produce silicon anode materials in a brief period of time with outstanding competitiveness in both price and performance. Most notably, SKC is equipped with the most important patents related to silicon anode materials. For such unrivaled competitiveness, SKC is receiving lots of invitation from major electric vehicle and battery manufacturers.SKC plans to enter the silicon anode material market by combining its long-established global mass production and marketing capabilities with Nexeon's differentiated technology. First, SKC will independently commercialize low-content products and make inroads into the global market, and then commercialize high-content products in a joint venture with Nexeon in keeping with the pace of the market growth. In addition, SKC plans to provide differentiated solutions to customers by maximizing synergy with SK nexilis, which has the world's best copper foil manufacturing technology. SKC will be able to provide superior mobility material solutions to customers by increasing the proportion of silicon anode materials through the utilization of high-strength and high-elongation copper foil technology that withstands the volume expansion of silicon anode materials, among others.An SKC official said, "We will provide our customers with rechargeable battery material solutions with both quality and price competitiveness by adding synergistic effects creadted in the copper foil business to the strengths of SKC and Nexeon," adding, "As we promised at the ‘SKC Investor Day’ held in September, we will faithfully complete the Financial Story centered on rechargeable batteries, semiconductors and eco-friendly materials."
2021-11-01
SKC to ‘Rise’ toward KRW 30 Trillion in Corporate Values by 2025
SKC
announced its new plan at ‘SKC Investor Day’ to embark on new businesses such
as anode secondary battery materials and high-tech semiconductor materialsBy
2025, SKC to rise as the world’s largest mobility materials company with
corporate values more than five times as big as they are now
SKC (CEO Lee
Wan-jae) will complete its business transformation, centered on mobility
materials such as rechargeable batteries and semiconductors, and rise as a
global mobility materials company by 2025. To that end, SKC has embarked on new
materials businesses, such as next-generation anode materials and cathode
materials for secondary batteries, and the world's first high-performance
computing glass substrate.
At the ‘SKC
Investor Day’ held on the September 24th, SKC’s chief executive Lee Wan-jae
made a presentation entitled ‘Promises and Deep Change’ as its Financial Story
intended to share the company’s growth strategies for the next five years, in
which the CEO declared that SKC will ‘rise’ as the world’s No. 1 mobility
materials company with corporate values of KRW 30 trillion by 2025 and that to
that end, the company will shift the focus of its business structure to
mobility materials from which to create more than 80% of its corporate profits
by the target year.
The key to
boosting SKC’s corporate values is rechargeable battery materials. In the
copper foil business, which has emerged as one of its new growth engines, SKC
has decided to increase its total output to 250,000 tons a year by aggressively
expanding its overseas facilities to roll out 50,000 tons in Malaysia, 100,000
tons in Europe, and 50,000 tons in the US. SKC estimates that it will become a
dominant player in the sector with its global market share of at least 35% by
2025. The findings of a market research institute indicate that as of the first
quarter of 2021, SK nexilis is the global leader with a market share of 22%
demonstrating an upward trend.
In addition, SKC
will expand into the new materials business that can significantly improve the
performance of secondary batteries, such as silicon anode materials and high nickel
cathode materials. It will also join forces with those with global top-level
silicon technology to secure anode materials technology and develop it into one
of its core businesses. SKC is planning to promote the commercialization of
cathode materials in cooperation with global companies. SKC’s goal is to expand
its sales of secondary batteries including copper foil to KRW 4 trillion, or 10
times as large as its current sales, by 2025.
SKC expands its
semiconductor materials business, one of the two pillars of its mobility
materials business, to new high-tech products. On top of to its full-fledged
CMP pad and blank mask business, the company is going to promote the world's
first glass substrate for high-performance computing as one of its new growth engines,
with the expectation that its total sales in semiconductor materials business
will grow to more than KRW 2 trillion by 2025.
When SKC’s glass
substrate is applied instead of conventional plastic, the thickness of
semiconductor package along with the associated power consumption is reduced by
more than half while data throughput dramatically rises. The required area for
a data center is reduced to a mere 20% of the current requirement. SKC has been
developing new products in the area together with 70 partner companies since
2018 and as a result, has acquired prototype certification from a global semiconductor manufacturer. The company is
now promoting the commercialization of the products with global semiconductor
equipment companies and major clients.
SKC will also
expand the breadth of its eco-friendly materials business, in which it boasts
outstanding competitiveness: It will upgrade the existing film and chemical
businesses with a focus on ESG; In chemical business, it will expand high
value-added PG and bio-polyol made from eco-friendly PO whereas in the film
business it will focus on the production of eco-friendly, sophisticated IT
materials; In order to build an
ecosystem of new biodegradable materials, SKC will remarkably enhance its
biodegradable materials technology for PLA and PBAT through combination with Limex
technology; and the company is aimed at achieving KRW 3 trillion in sales by
2025 in the business.
To finance its ‘RISE,’
SKC will deploy both strategic financing including joint ventures and policy loans
and self-procurement including increased internal cash generation. The company
has also published guidelines advocating the protection of the interest of its
shareholders including shareholders while maintaining at least the current
level of its financial stability.
CEO Lee Wan-jae
said, “SKC pledged to ‘Get Out of the Well’ in 2016. We have since pushed for
Deep Change akin to metamorphosis,” adding “With the goal of rising as a ‘major
global materials solution marketer,’ SKC will strive to boost its customer
value while seeking to contribute to changing the world through the realization
of sustainable values together with its stakeholders worldwide.”
2021-09-24