Korean battery makers hasten to commercialize all-solid-state batteries to solve fire risk

South Korean battery makers are hastening with commercialization of all-solid-state batteries to take lead in the market ahead of migration to the battery type dubbed to be safer than conventional Li-ion battery.

Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, in a meeting held earlier this week with government bodies said SK companies are currently developing all-solid-state batteries while conducting studies to address to the risk of fire in Li-ion batteries.

He was summoned for questioning at the National Assembly¡¯s technology committee over the fire incident at a SK C&C data center near Seoul that knocked out services of dominant platforms Kakao and Naver.

Li-ion is suspected to have caused the fire at the data center.

The data center fire has renewed the market¡¯s attention to safety risks of lithium-ion batteries along with replacement technology.

Currently, studies are underway around the world to develop all-solid-state battery, which are considered to be free of a risk of explosion or fire – the key weakness of Li-ion battery. Also, the new battery type is lighter and charges faster.

The battery industry expects commercial production of all-solid-state battery would be possible from 2027. The arrival may be sooner as battery and car makers are racing with development.

SK on, the EV battery maker under SK Group, is investing 35 billion won ($24.5 million) in Ford Motor-backed solid-state battery developer Solid Power Inc to jointly develop the next-generation battery. It also has been collaborating with Georgia Institute of Technology in the U.S. on all-solid-state battery research and development since January this year.

The company expects to produce samples by 2026 and begin commercial production in 2029, said an SK on official, adding that mass production may begin one to two years earlier than targeted schedule.

LG Energy Solution, the largest EV battery maker in Korea and the second largest in the world, is working with global tech institutes, including Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, University California San Diego in the U.S., and University of Münster in Germany to study and develop all-solid-state batteries.

Samsung SDI is the most active among the Korean battery giants. It has pilot production line for all-solid-state batteries set up at its research center in Suwon, Korea.

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