[Report] "Graphene Coating with Korean Independent Technology... Possibility of Creating 'Dream Products'" Seeking Partner Companies

Development of Aqueous Solution-Based Graphene Coating Technology, On-Site Coverage at Chungbuk Jeungpyeong Hanguk Aluminum Factory
Applicable to Various Industries Such as Textile, Film, and Display
"Graphene-Coated Masks and Clothes... Leading Commercialization of Dream Materials"

Kim Chang-ho, CEO of Korea Aluminum, is inspecting the aluminum packaging film production line at the Chungbuk Jeungpyeong factory. Photo by Kim Hee-yoon

[Chungbuk Jeungpyeong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "As the only domestic developer of graphene coating technology, we are planning collaborations across various fields."

At the Korea Aluminum factory in Jeungpyeong, Chungbuk, this company specializes in aluminum materials and packaging, but uniquely houses a mask machine. Last year, Korea Aluminum developed a graphene aqueous solution, known as a dream material, and while researching products applying graphene coating technology through this solution, they focused on masks, whose consumption surged due to the spread of COVID-19. CEO Kim Chang-ho explained, "Through the development of the aqueous solution, we acquired graphene coating technology, but we needed a product to prove it. First, when we coated graphene on mask fabric, functions such as antibacterial properties and breathability improved, making masks a portfolio for technology validation."

Graphene is a carbon allotrope, a carbon nanomaterial bonded in a honeycomb-shaped planar structure. It is 200 times stronger and over 1,000 times lighter than metals, and its electrical conductivity is about 100 times better than copper, making it known as a dream material. Even mixing just 1% graphene into non-conductive plastic allows electricity to flow immediately. Based on these characteristics, graphene is attracting attention as a high value-added material applicable in various fields such as battery electrode coatings, heat dissipation materials, ultra-light composite materials, and water treatment filters, replacing copper, silicon, and more.

The production process of aluminum material. Photo by Heeyoon Kim

Initially, Korea Aluminum started developing pouch cells for secondary batteries and discovered the aqueous solution during graphene coating tests, securing the core technology for graphene coating. Heo Jeong-hyun, head of the technical research institute, emphasized, "Graphene coating technology using aqueous solutions can be applied across various industries, from textiles to films and displays. The core of our technology is evenly dispersing a small amount of graphene powder through the aqueous solution."

Although they succeeded in developing graphene coating technology for the first time domestically, they faced more challenges than offers. CEO Kim said, "To apply new technology, you need to find the right target, and testing each application directly was not easy. Also, since graphene does not have the same effect on all materials, continuous R&D was required to find products that achieve optimal effects and adjust the appropriate content." Heo added, "There are no standards or certifications for graphene coating yet; rather, other companies are setting standards based on our research results."

In one factory building, mass production of lithium secondary battery pouch cells, which sparked the development of graphene coating technology, is underway. Last year, due to Japan's removal from the whitelist, pouch cells became subject to export regulations, causing significant difficulties for domestic secondary battery manufacturers. Japanese companies DNP and Showa Denko dominate over 80% of the global pouch market, making domestic companies highly dependent on Japan. Korea Aluminum leveraged its strength in aluminum, a key material for pouch cells, to successfully localize raw materials such as adhesives and films, completing prototype tests with domestic secondary battery companies and delivering samples.

Korea Aluminum, which developed a technology to evenly spray a small amount of graphene powder mixed with an aqueous solution during the film production process, is seeking collaboration in various fields based on this coating technology.

According to market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global graphene market is expected to grow from $225.1 million last year to $2.8641 billion by 2027, an increase of over 10,000 times in eight years. Although 16 years have passed since its discovery, graphene has not yet entered full-scale commercialization. Countries including the UK, China, the US, and South Korea are intensively conducting R&D for commercialization, with global efforts ongoing to harness its explosive potential in industrial sectors.

Korea Aluminum recently began joint development applying graphene coating technology to filters with a water purifier company. Product tests are also underway with a shoe brand and textile company to enhance cold protection functions. CEO Kim stated, "We are developing applications of graphene coating on our strength, aluminum materials, for use in secondary battery cathode materials. Having transformed the infinite potential of graphene into scalability through the aqueous solution, our goal is to expand the scope of technology utilization to contribute to industry and play a role in developing various new materials."