Ecopro BM Begins Development of Sodium Battery Cathode Materials

Leading Project for Development of Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Ecopro BM is participating in a sodium-ion battery (SIB) cathode material development project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

On the 23rd, Ecopro BM announced that it was recently selected as the lead organization for the 'Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Material Development Project,' a project supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This is an industry-academia research project involving Ecopro BM at its center, along with the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Dong-A University, and Sungkyunkwan University. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is providing 5.25 billion KRW in funding for the development of materials and components technology, with a total project budget of 10.6 billion KRW including contributions from participating institutions. Technology development collaboration will continue over the next four years.

EcoPro BM Factory in Ochang, Chungbuk (Provided by EcoPro BM)

Sodium-ion batteries use sodium as the main raw material instead of lithium, which is classified as a scarce resource. Sodium is reported to be about 1,000 times more abundant than lithium deposits. Using sodium instead of lithium allows cathode materials, which account for about 40% of the cost of secondary batteries, to be produced at relatively stable prices.

Sodium-ion batteries are also noted for maintaining performance at low temperatures and having high thermal stability at high temperatures. Additionally, sodium is considered environmentally friendly during mining and refining processes.

Ecopro BM has been conducting research on the development of sodium-ion battery cathode materials to pioneer new markets. This year, it accelerated development by establishing the largest dedicated pilot production line for sodium-ion battery cathode materials in Korea at its Ochang plant. Through government-supported projects, Ecopro BM plans to secure technology to increase the energy density of sodium-ion battery cathode materials and lay the foundation for mass production.

Lee Dong-wook, Director of Future Technology at Ecopro BM, stated, "Although lithium prices are currently low due to a slowdown in demand, they can rise at any time, so substitution with sodium, which has low prices and stable supply, is necessary. Through participation in this project, we plan to diversify our business portfolio by developing various next-generation cathode materials in addition to high-nickel ternary cathode materials."