First in Korea to Apply "Warm Isostatic Press Pre-Technology"
Aiming for Commercialization of 800 Wh/L Energy Density
SK On is accelerating its efforts in the race to commercialize all-solid-state batteries, often referred to as the "dream battery." The company has completed the construction of its all-solid-state battery pilot plant and has begun securing next-generation battery mass production technology, aiming for commercialization by 2029.
Seokhee Lee, President of SK On (fifth from the left), Jangwon Lee, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SK On (fourth from the left), Kisoo Park, Head of Future Technology Institute at SK On (sixth from the left), and Andreas Maier, Head of Solid Power Korea Branch (second from the left), along with other distinguished guests, are posing for a commemorative photo during the "All-Solid-State Battery Pilot Plant Completion Ceremony" held on the 15th at the SK On Future Technology Institute in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. SK On
On September 16, SK On announced that it had completed the construction of an all-solid-state battery pilot plant at its Future Technology Institute in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. The pilot line is a facility designed to produce prototypes for supply to client companies and to evaluate and verify the quality and performance of these products.
The completion ceremony for the all-solid-state battery pilot plant, held the previous day, was attended by Seokhee Lee, President of SK On; Kisoo Park, Head of the Future Technology Institute; and Andreas Maier, Head of Solid Power Korea Branch, among others. Since forming a partnership with Solid Power last year, SK On has been conducting joint research on all-solid-state batteries.
The newly completed plant covers approximately 4,628 square meters (about 1,400 pyeong). SK On plans to develop sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries on the new pilot line. Some lines will also focus on developing lithium metal batteries, a type of solid-state battery. Lithium metal batteries replace the graphite anode, a key material in lithium-ion batteries, with lithium metal, reducing the weight and volume of the anode and thereby increasing energy density.
SK On plans to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2029, one year ahead of its original target.
The company is currently developing all-solid-state batteries with an energy density of 800Wh/L as its initial commercialization goal. In the long term, SK On aims to achieve up to 1,000Wh/L.
SK On has applied its "Warm Isostatic Press (WIP) pre-technology," developed over many years of research and development, to the pilot plant for the first time in Korea. The WIP technology is a next-generation pressing process that applies uniform pressure to the electrode at elevated temperatures (25-100 degrees Celsius), increasing density and performance. While this technology minimizes the battery's heat generation and extends its lifespan, it requires sealing the battery cell and is difficult to implement as a continuous automated process, resulting in lower productivity.
SK On has improved productivity by retaining the advantages of the WIP process while addressing its drawbacks. To achieve this, the company developed mixing and electrode composition conditions for battery materials such as active materials and conductive agents, reducing internal resistance within the electrode. Lower internal resistance minimizes the battery's heat generation. Additionally, by improving the bonding between the electrode and solid electrolyte and optimizing general pressing process conditions, SK On reduced interfacial resistance. Lower interfacial resistance facilitates smoother electrical flow, enabling more stable charging and discharging, which extends battery life.
President Seokhee Lee stated, "The completion of this all-solid-state battery pilot plant will serve as a foundation for SK On to become a robust company that remains resilient in the face of any environmental changes," adding, "We will lead the way in commercializing all-solid-state batteries ahead of others and accelerate the era of electrification."
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