SK On, First Global Battery Manufacturer to Win the US Edison Awards

NCM9 Battery Wins Bronze in 'EV Battery' Category

Battery specialist SK On won the bronze medal at the United States' most prestigious invention award, the '2023 Edison Awards.' SK On is the first global battery manufacturer, rather than a startup or R&D specialist company, to receive an Edison Award.

On the 23rd, SK On announced that its NCM9 battery was honored with the Edison Award in the 'EV Battery Enhancement' category. The NCM9 battery is a high-performance high-nickel battery with a nickel content raised to about 90%. SK On developed it for the first time in the world in 2019.

Batteries with high nickel content have high energy density, delivering excellent performance in various aspects such as driving range and output. However, increasing nickel content can reduce lifespan and thermal stability, requiring advanced manufacturing technology. SK On addressed this by applying its proprietary 'Z-folding' technology. The Z-folding technology stacks the battery's internal separator in a zigzag pattern to enhance safety.

Before winning the Edison Award, the NCM9 battery was recognized for its technological excellence by winning the Innovation Award for two consecutive years at CES 2023, the world's largest ICT convergence exhibition.

At CES 2023, SK On also won the Grand Innovation Award in the 'Embedded Technologies' category with its SF battery (Super Fast Battery), proving its technological prowess and innovation in battery charging speed performance. SK On's CES Grand Innovation Award win is also a first for the domestic battery industry.

Established in 1987 to honor inventor Thomas Edison, the Edison Awards are presented annually by the nonprofit foundation 'Edison Universe.' More than 7,000 products are submitted, and a judging panel composed of professional managers, scholars, and engineers evaluates them over about seven months. Outstanding innovative products, services, and individuals representing various industries such as education, transportation, energy, aviation, manufacturing, and telecommunications are judged. Global companies such as Apple, NVIDIA, SpaceX, IBM, and Boeing are listed among past winners.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy provides a detailed introduction to the Edison Awards on its official blog, and KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) held a webinar last year teaching how to win the award, judging that it helps domestic companies secure references when expanding overseas. In particular, KOTRA explains the significance of the award by stating, "The seal awarded to winning companies is regarded as a symbol of innovation and success and can attract the attention of investors and buyers."

An SK On official said, "Following the CES Grand Innovation Award, winning an award at a prestigious U.S. ceremony once again proves SK On's technological capabilities," adding, "We will continue to showcase our super-gap technologies."