[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Fastener specialist Global SM announced on the 18th that it supplied fasteners for electric vehicle batteries worth $1.2 million (approximately 1.3 billion KRW) to major domestic secondary battery companies through its Tianjin, China branch last year.
According to Global SM, the supply of fasteners for electric vehicle batteries is expected to increase further this year. With local fastener production plants in China and Europe, where global secondary battery manufacturers' factories are located, the company plans to start supplying fasteners for electric vehicle batteries from its Spain branch following the China branch.
After years of research and development, Global SM succeeded in enhancing the efficiency of non-ferrous metal forging technology essential for assembling secondary battery cells (modules). This specialized technology upgrades the elemental material cross-section processing technology, automated supply device development, and surface treatment technology for corrosion resistance based on micro fastener forging processing technology beyond existing methods.
Fasteners used in electric vehicle battery cells are directly linked to safety, requiring precise processing technology for raw materials. Global SM developed fasteners with high heat durability and scratch resistance to prevent battery explosion risks caused by electrolyte leakage.
A Global SM official said, “We have the capability to design and produce various types of battery assembly parts, enabling proactive responses to changes in the electric vehicle battery parts market. Currently, we are mass-producing with automated systems established at our Korean and Chinese branches, and preparing for localization in Europe through production facilities at our branches in Spain and Romania.”
He added, “The Tianjin, China branch is expected to generate more than double the electric vehicle-related sales compared to last year. Starting this year, we will actively expand our electric vehicle battery parts business and seize this as an opportunity for growth.”
Meanwhile, Global SM’s parent company, Seoul Metal, is accelerating efforts to secure new growth engines such as fasteners for electric vehicle batteries in its 40th anniversary year. By strengthening business cooperation with Global SM, which handles overseas operations, Seoul Metal aims to firmly establish itself as the world’s number one fastener company.
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