Held at COEX in Seoul from March 11 to 13
A Wide Array of Next-Generation Products Unveiled
ESS, Data Centers, Robots, and Drones Take Center Stage Amid EV Market Slowdown
From March 11 to 13, domestic battery companies will showcase their technological prowess at "InterBattery 2026," the largest secondary battery exhibition in Korea, held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
As growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market slows, Korean battery companies are planning to highlight a diverse range of products, including energy storage systems (ESS), artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, robots, and drones.
This year, the three major Korean battery companies are placing the greatest emphasis on ESS. With the North American EV market, their main market, struggling after the start of the Trump administration’s second term, Korean battery companies are focusing on the ESS market.
Especially, as Chinese lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries-which have led the North American market-are expected to lose influence due to tariffs imposed on Chinese products, Korean battery companies are responding by converting their ternary production lines to LFP lines and adapting to the changing market.
Advanced Products Targeting ESS and AI Data Center Markets to Be Unveiled
LG Energy Solution, which has set up the largest booth among participating companies at approximately 540m² (about 163 pyeong), will introduce batteries for power grids, industrial/commercial applications, and data centers to address the surge in power demand driven by AI and the expansion of renewable energy.
For power grid applications, the "JF2 DC Link 5.0," an ESS solution tailored to Korea’s power infrastructure and regulatory environment, will be on display. This product is designed specifically for Korea’s power infrastructure and regulations and is the first in the country to feature LFP batteries, enhancing fire safety. For AI data centers, LG Energy Solution will unveil, for the first time in Korea, an emergency power solution based on next-generation LFP-based JP6 UPS rack systems and BBU (Battery Backup Unit) solutions equipped with high-output cylindrical batteries.
Samsung SDI will display battery solutions for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and battery backup units (BBU) at the center of its booth. The "U8A1" UPS battery from Samsung SDI employs a prismatic battery form factor and lithium manganese oxide (LMO) material, providing both high output performance and safety. Last year, it was the only domestic product to be selected as an "Award Winner" at "The Smarter E Europe," the largest energy exhibition in Europe.
The BBU battery solution, introduced for the first time at this exhibition, features ultra-high output and high-capacity cylindrical batteries. By connecting high-output, high-capacity cylindrical batteries directly to servers, the product enables rapid and immediate response during power peaks and extends data storage time in the event of a power outage.
Samsung SDI will also exhibit all product lines of the "Samsung Battery Box (SBB)," an all-in-one battery solution for ESS. SBB, first launched in 2023, is an integrated ESS battery solution that fills a 20-foot container with prismatic nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) or LFP batteries. It incorporates advanced technologies such as the independently developed Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI) within the module, pre-diagnosis of cell abnormalities, and automatic lifespan measurement, ensuring safety and longevity.
This year’s exhibition will also feature the first public introduction of "Samsung Battery Intelligence (SBI)," an AI-based fire prevention software.
At this exhibition, SK On will highlight its high-energy-density LFP pouch batteries for ESS. Developed to meet the growing demand for large-capacity cells in the global ESS market, the company is conducting research and development to increase energy density from the current 350-450Wh/L to the 500Wh/L range. The plan is to improve both lifespan and output performance through higher electrode density, improved internal space efficiency, and optimized processes.
SK On will also present safety technology. For the first time in the industry, the company will showcase a container-type ESS DC block equipped with a preventive and diagnostic system based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This system precisely analyzes internal battery resistance and reaction characteristics to predict minor defects and degradation stages early. Only modules showing abnormal signs are replaced, improving maintenance convenience and economic efficiency.
Competition Heats Up in Next-Generation Markets Such as Robots and Drones
At this exhibition, Korean battery companies are also aiming to preemptively capture next-generation battery markets, including humanoid robots and drones.
LG Energy Solution will display LG Electronics’ home robot "LG CLOiD" and Bear Robotics’ autonomous robot "Carti100" at its booth. This will highlight the versatility of the company’s high-performance cylindrical batteries for various household and industrial applications.
Additionally, drones for blood transport and aviation-cube satellites, developed in collaboration with the K-Drone Alliance, will be introduced.
In the Future Technology Zone, LG Energy Solution will present its portfolio of next-generation battery technologies, including all-solid-state batteries, lithium-metal batteries, bipolar batteries, and sodium batteries.
In the Mobility Zone, the company will unveil its LMR battery for the first time and showcase its software and AI-based technology for diagnosing and predicting EV battery status. The battery, developed jointly with GM, was awarded the "Battery Innovation Award" at The Battery Show North America 2025 last year.
SK On will showcase Hyundai Wia’s autonomous mobile robot (AMR), which is equipped with high-nickel ternary batteries. This robot is already being utilized for logistics automation at industrial sites, including Hyundai Motor Group Meta Plant America (HMGMA).
SK On will also unveil next-generation technologies such as sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (with energy density of 1,000Wh/L), polymer oxide composite batteries, and lithium-metal batteries, as well as ultra-fast charging technology capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just seven minutes. The company will also present immersion cooling technology, currently being jointly developed with SK Enmove.
Samsung SDI is targeting next-generation markets-such as robots and drones-through its all-solid-state batteries. At this exhibition, Samsung SDI will introduce its all-solid-state battery, which is being developed with the goal of mass production in the second half of 2027. The company plans to supply these batteries for various physical AI applications, including humanoids, mobile robots, and industrial robots.
Among materials companies, POSCO Future M will highlight ultra-high nickel cathode materials with a nickel content of over 95%, as well as lithium iron phosphate cathode materials. In addition, the company will disclose the development status and mid-to-long-term roadmap for next-generation materials, such as cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries and silicon anode materials, which are attracting attention in next-generation industries such as robotics.
POSCO Future M will also present the progress of its joint research and development project with U.S. all-solid-state battery company Factorial. Both companies will co-host a keynote lecture on battery material R&D strategy at 11 a.m. on March 12 during InterBattery.
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