SK On, Solid Power Sign Technology Agreement... Establishing All-Solid-State Pilot Line by Next Year

Sung Min-seok, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SK On (left), and John Van Scoter, CEO of Solid Power, signed a technology transfer agreement on the 10th (local time) at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the United States. Photo by SK On

SK On is strengthening its collaboration with the U.S. solid-state battery company Solid Power to accelerate the development of solid-state batteries.

On the 17th, SK On announced that it signed a technology transfer agreement with Solid Power at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, which concluded last week in Las Vegas, USA. The signing ceremony, held on the 10th (local time) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, was attended by Sung Min-seok, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SK On, and John Van Scoter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solid Power.

Under the agreement, SK On will be able to utilize all of Solid Power’s solid-state battery cell design and pilot line process technologies for research and development. Solid Power will supply SK On with sulfide-based solid electrolytes and assist in developing solid-state batteries with excellent stability and performance.

Through this, SK On plans to establish a solid-state battery pilot line at its Daejeon battery research center by 2025. The pilot line is a test production facility prior to full-scale mass production.

SK On intends to combine its own technology and know-how with Solid Power’s sulfide-based solid electrolyte and cell technology to develop solid-state batteries with significantly enhanced performance, including lifespan and energy density. The two companies also plan to continue cooperating for the commercialization of solid-state batteries after development.

In 2021, SK On invested $30 million (approximately 40 billion KRW) in Solid Power and agreed to jointly develop next-generation solid-state batteries. Since then, the two companies have been discussing specific cooperation plans.

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte used in current lithium-ion batteries with a solid electrolyte. Applying a solid electrolyte reduces fire risk, enhancing safety. Additionally, the battery’s weight and volume are relatively reduced, allowing it to overcome the capacity limitations of lithium-ion batteries.

Founded in 2011, Solid Power possesses excellent large-capacity cell technology and highly productive solid electrolyte manufacturing technology. It is developing industry-leading sulfide-based solid-state battery technology.

To develop solid-state battery technology, SK On is conducting joint research through various partnerships as well as its own research. Last year, in collaboration with a research team from Dankook University, SK On succeeded in developing a new oxide-based solid electrolyte with the world’s highest lithium-ion conductivity and has completed patent applications domestically and internationally.