EcoPro is targeting the robot battery market and accelerating its technology competitiveness.
According to industry sources, EcoPro recently published content on its internal communication channel, 'EcoTalkTalk,' titled 'The Robot War Among Major Corporations is Intensifying... The Key Battleground is Ultimately the Battery.'
The content highlighted that major companies are accelerating the 'robot war,' with developments including the establishment of a Future Robot Promotion Team directly under the CEO of Samsung Electronics, plans by Hyundai Motor to apply its humanoid robot 'Atlas' in electric vehicle factories, and the creation of a Robotics Business Center directly under the CEO of LG Electronics.
Goldman Sachs forecasts that the humanoid robot market will expand to $38 billion (approximately 52 trillion won) by 2035, with annual shipments exceeding 1.4 million units.
EcoPro explained that the key to determining the operational performance and driving time of robots lies in the battery, predicting that nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) batteries will lead the market. As battery weight increases, the load on the robot also increases, which can overload joint motors and actuators. Therefore, it is expected that lighter and higher energy density NCA batteries will be adopted over lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
EcoPro anticipates that the competition among global corporations in humanoid robots will change the industry's paradigm and create new business opportunities for the battery sector. The company emphasized the need to concentrate its capabilities on developing technologies that transition from high-nickel NCA batteries to solid-state batteries.
Additionally, EcoPro shared the current status of solid-state battery technology development, which is expected to be a game-changer in the battery industry, through content titled 'Dissecting the Super Eul (乙) Project' with its employees.
EcoProBM was recently recognized for its research and development achievements in solid-state battery materials and was selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's '3rd Super Eul (乙) Project.'
The Super Eul Project is a major government R&D support initiative aimed at nurturing companies with irreplaceable technologies, like the Dutch lithography equipment firm ASML, to secure a core position in the global supply chain.
EcoProBM plans to accelerate the development of sulfide-based solid electrolytes, which are key materials for solid-state batteries, as part of this project.
Lee Dong-chae, founder of EcoPro Group, emphasized, 'Having received significant support for future growth engines, we must further enhance our R&D capabilities to become a game-changer in secondary batteries.'
EcoPro has been rapidly advancing its proprietary process technology in the sulfide-based solid electrolyte sector to secure a leading position in the domestic market.
Since starting development four years ago, EcoProBM has optimized its processes and compositions and is currently operating a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 40 tons, having passed quality verification from major battery manufacturers.
The company is in discussions with key customers for trial production and has completed line design with the goal of mass production by 2027, ready to commence construction based on customer demand.
Furthermore, EcoPro plans to develop cathode materials suitable for solid-state batteries based on its high-nickel cathode technology. To facilitate the early commercialization of solid-state batteries, the company has decided to establish a 'Solid-State One Team' that connects raw materials, components, and cells.
Yoo Soo-kyung, Executive Director of R&D at EcoProBM, stated, 'We are accelerating our lead in the domestic market by securing proprietary process technology in the sulfide-based solid electrolyte sector. For cathode materials for solid-state batteries, we have optimized processes to utilize existing NCA production lines, establishing a system that can transition to mass production in a short period.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.