EcoPro announced on the 12th that EcoPro Lithium, a subsidiary of EcoPro Innovation, has secured CAD 6 million (approximately KRW 6.4 billion) in research and development (R&D) funding from Natural Resources Canada. The funding is designated for the development of lithium metal anode materials, regarded as a key material for next-generation all-solid-state batteries.

This support is part of the “Energy Innovation Program (EIP)” promoted by the Canadian government to expand the battery supply chain. EcoPro Innovation, which produces lithium hydroxide, plans to use this funding to pursue the development of lithium metal anodes, a next-generation battery material, and to verify the related processes. Lithium metal anodes are materials whose energy storage capacity is up to 10 times higher than that of conventional graphite anodes, and are considered a core technology for all-solid-state batteries. The company signed a joint development agreement with Hydro-Québec, a state-owned power company in Quebec, Canada, in March last year and has since been jointly developing the related technology.

EcoPro Innovation plans to test-run the entire process locally in Canada through March next year, from lithium metal production and refining to ultrathin foil manufacturing and performance and safety verification. The establishment of a pilot line for lithium metal anode materials is also expected to gain momentum. A company representative said, “To preempt the all-solid-state battery market, we are advancing related technologies in cooperation with the Canadian government and local companies.”

Popular News