LG Energy Solution takes FRL program to Münster, Germany

LG Energy Solution booth during a 2021 battery exhibition in Seoul. [YONHAP]

LG Energy Solution has expanded its Frontier Research Lab (FRL) program, which is focused on developing next generation batteries, to Germany.

The company announced Tuesday that it is teaming up with the Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology, the battery research center at the University of Münster in Germany, and the Helmholtz Institute Münster of Forschungszentrum Jülich.

The focus will be developing next generation lithium-ion battery technology using environmentally-friendly materials and processes. The research will also be looking into boosting battery-cell performance, including energy density and life cycle.

LG Energy Solution has been expanding its cooperation with international academic institutions and research centers.

The first to join the Frontier Research Lab program was the University of California San Diego in September, where the focus is developing a new type of all-solid state battery by combining the solid-state electrolyte with advanced electrode techniques.

In October, the program expanded to KAIST for the development of base techniques for battery elements.

"Through multiple FRL programs worldwide, LG Energy Solution will strive to lead the commercialization of next-generation battery techniques," said Shin Young-joon, chief technology officer at LG Energy Solution.

While Korea leads the world in lithium batteries, Korean companies have been trying to develop next-generation batteries, especially all-solid state batteries.

The all-solid state battery will be lighter and smaller than lithium-ion batteries and have greater capacity. They may also be safer.

LG Energy Solution is not the only Korean battery maker trying to develop the solid-state battery.

SK Innovation has been working with John Goodenough, a professor at University of Texas, Austin who is also a 2019 Nobel laureate in chemistry, on developing a gel-polymer electrolyte since 2020.

SK Innovation last year expanded its research efforts with Louisville, Colorado's Solid Power. And in January, it expanded its research with Professor Lee Sung-woo of Georgia Tech.

Samsung SDI in March started building a 6,500-square-meter test site within its research facility in Suwon.

BY LEE HO-JEONG, BAEK MIN-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]