POSCO Future M is joining forces with Kumho Petrochemical and BEI to develop next-generation battery technology.

On the 25th, POSCO Future M signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kumho Petrochemical and BEI for the joint development of “anode-free lithium metal battery” technology at POSCO Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

An anode-free lithium metal battery is characterized by its light weight and is known as a technology well suited for targeting new markets such as drones, advanced air mobility, high-performance electric vehicles, and robotics. By not using an anode material and instead utilizing that space, energy density can reportedly be increased by 30–50%. In particular, during charging, lithium ions from the cathode attach directly to the surface of the metal current collector (a thin metallic film that serves as the pathway for electron movement during charging and discharging; aluminum is mainly used for the cathode and copper foil for the anode) without passing through an anode material, enabling a charging speed said to be more than twice as fast as that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Through this agreement, the three companies—POSCO Future M, Kumho Petrochemical, and BEI—have decided to pool their respective strengths to develop high-performance next-generation batteries. POSCO Future M explained that this is part of the group-wide strategy to strengthen competitiveness in next-generation battery materials and technologies. In detail, POSCO Future M will play a key role in realizing breakthrough battery performance based on cathode material technology optimized for anode-free lithium metal batteries. Kumho Petrochemical will use high-performance carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as materials that facilitate electron movement within the battery, thereby dramatically improving charging speed and lifespan. BEI possesses the manufacturing infrastructure and know-how to turn material technologies into batteries. The three companies plan to continuously enhance the technological completeness of next-generation battery products through technological collaboration and joint development. The jointly developed anode-free lithium metal battery can utilize existing production facilities, which reduces investment burden, and can also reduce process steps, resulting in lower overall manufacturing costs.

Hong Young-joon, Head of the Research Center at POSCO Future M, said, “Three companies that lead the industry through technology have decided to cooperate in the development of next-generation battery technology,” adding, “We will concentrate our research and development capabilities so that next-generation battery technology capable of reshaping the market landscape can bear fruit.”

Meanwhile, based on the outcomes of their joint development, the three companies also plan to review joint commercialization targeting new markets such as drones and robotics. Their strategy is to secure leadership in the global high-performance battery market, leveraging industrial ecosystem competitiveness that spans next-generation battery materials and cell technologies.

Popular News