Advanced Material Maxsin Starts First Large-Scale Production in Korea

NineTech Establishes MXene Production Subsidiary... A Globally Pioneering Move
Professor In Insik, MXene Expert, to Be Appointed as Outside Director at Shareholders' Meeting
A 'First Mover' Poised to Open New Markets

There is a growing movement to begin mass production of MXene, the "dream new material." Given that this is a pioneering effort globally, the economic value is expected to be significant if mass production succeeds. Applying MXene to secondary battery electrodes can extend lifespan and increase capacity, making it a key material for securing competitiveness in next-generation batteries. Moreover, MXene has the highest electrical conductivity among non-metal materials and can shield and absorb electromagnetic waves. It also mixes well with water or solvents, so simply coating with MXene can manifest its properties, leading to anticipated applications in various advanced industries such as battery and supercapacitor electrodes, sensors, and light-emitting diode displays.

According to the related industry and NineTech on the 24th, NineTech recently completed business registration for a new corporation responsible for MXene production.

A NineTech official explained, "We plan to manufacture in large quantities through the new corporation and will place orders for production equipment," adding, "We will offer MXene to the market at a low price through mass production."

MXene is a nanomaterial made by alternately stacking metal layers and carbon layers. It has high electrical conductivity and can be combined with various metal compounds. It can be utilized in diverse industries such as semiconductors, electronic devices, and sensors. MXene's electrical conductivity is about ten times higher than that of graphene, a conventional electrode material, so using it as an electrode in secondary batteries can increase capacity and reduce charging time. Its excellent electromagnetic wave blocking ability is expected to be applied to parts in autonomous vehicles and various electronic devices such as wearable gadgets.

The official said, "The price of MXene is currently high, so the market has not yet fully formed," and added, "NineTech's attempt at mass production is at an early stage even on a global scale." They continued, "We expect meaningful sales this year," and forecast, "Sales volume will increase to the next level next year," adding, "Along with the success of the main business, the growth potential of new projects underway will be added."

Accepting new materials in the industrial field requires various verification processes. If it is proven through verification that the material is superior to existing ones, demand rapidly increases. After NineTech starts mass production this year, sales volume may vary depending on production yield, quality, and production capacity. It is expected to contribute to improving the quality of secondary batteries when commercialized.

NineTech will hold a shareholders' meeting on the 31st to appoint Professor In In-sik as an outside director. The company explained that they recommend Professor In as an outside director candidate because they believe he will greatly contribute to the company's development through the development and commercialization of next-generation electrode technologies based on new materials.

Previously, in 2023, Professor In developed technology applying MXene to next-generation secondary battery electrodes to extend lifespan and capacity. He succeeded in applying MXene, surface-modified with various types of organic compounds, as a highly conductive conductive additive required in next-generation battery fields such as high-nickel cathode materials, silicon anode materials, and dry processes.

Last year, he published a paper in the internationally renowned academic journal Nature Communications. It was the world's first to prove that MXene-based printed electrodes exhibit superior electrode characteristics compared to aluminum and gold produced by conventional vacuum deposition. The research team applied MXene to the printed electronics field by leveraging its superior printability and electrical conductivity compared to carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes used in existing secondary batteries and semiconductor fields.

The battery industry is promoting the development of next-generation battery technologies such as silicon anode electrodes and sulfur cathode electrodes to achieve higher capacity and lower costs. However, energy density and lifespan issues remain obstacles to commercialization. MXene is attracting attention as a new material that can overcome these drawbacks. It is expected to be the key to accelerating the commercialization of next-generation batteries.

Since 2023, NineTech has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Professor In for the development of core materials for secondary batteries and has been promoting the commercialization of original technologies for new materials such as MXene-based conductive additives for electrodes. With Professor In joining as an outside director ahead of mass production this year, MXene commercialization is expected to gain momentum.