Ecopro Succeeds in Developing Mid-Nickel Cathode Materials... Begins Mass Production Preparations

Responding to Price Pressure: Expanding Mid-Nickel Adoption
Transitioning from High-Nickel to Mid-Nickel
Enhanced Low-Temperature Performance and Safety, Technological Differentiation

Ecopro has successfully developed mid-nickel cathode materials and has begun preparations for mass production. These mid-nickel cathode materials utilize high-voltage single crystal technology, and the company plans to conduct trial production next year, aiming for full-scale mass production in 2027.

On October 28, Ecopro announced that it had independently developed high-voltage mid-nickel (HVM) cathode materials based on high-voltage single crystal technology and recently completed technical validation. This move is in response to automakers’ demands for lower cathode material prices. The company has started establishing mass production lines centered on its Pohang production base and is currently in supply negotiations with global automakers and battery manufacturers.

Exterior view of the Ecopro headquarters located in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Provided by Ecopro

Unlike high-nickel cathode materials (with nickel content of 90% or more) used in high-capacity electric vehicles, mid-nickel cathode materials contain about 60% nickel. Since nickel accounts for approximately 70% of the total cost of cathode materials, reducing the nickel content can significantly improve price competitiveness.

The HVM developed by Ecopro features a single crystal structure that reduces particle cracking even at high voltages. The crystal structure remains stable despite repeated charging and discharging, resulting in enhanced lifespan and safety. The company has also improved the low-temperature performance, which has been a weakness of conventional mid-nickel materials.

The company is securing a stable supply of nickel raw materials by investing 700 billion won in four smelters within the IMIP industrial complex in Indonesia. In addition, Ecopro is pursuing a second-phase investment to secure an additional 66,000 tons of nickel intermediates annually at the nearby IGIP industrial complex.

Ecopro plans to initially produce mid-nickel cathode materials in Pohang and then expand supply to European automakers by applying the technology at its Hungarian plant. The Hungarian facility, which operates three production lines on a total area of 440,000 square meters, has an annual production capacity of 54,000 tons.

Bohyun Kong, Executive Vice President in charge of development at Ecopro BM, stated, "By applying single crystal technology to mid-nickel materials, we have reduced cracking under high-voltage conditions," adding, "We expect to achieve both performance and safety in the mid-nickel market, which is focused on lower-cost models."