InterBattery 2023 gives insight to future of batteries

Industry

Published: 15 Mar. 2023, 18:50

InterBattery 2023 gives insight to future of batteries

People line up to enter InterBattery 2023 on Wednesday at Coex in southern Seoul. A total of 477 companies set up 1,400 booths at this year’s event, the largest number in its 11-year history. [YONHAP]

From solid-state batteries to battery swapping, InterBattery 2023 is giving visitors a peek into how technically advanced Korean battery makers are in the EV race.

“It took literally one hour for me to register on-site for the show in the morning,” said Lee Moon-seob, an engineer in his 50s, at the country's largest battery auto show Wednesday.

"I've been attending this show for a few years now, and it's the largest crowd I believe."

LG Energy Solution’s booth was especially crowded at its Battery Swapping Station, which showcases its latest technology that allows EV drivers to exchange batteries instead of charging them when they are exhausted.

A KooRoo employee demonstrates its Battery Swapping Station that allows EV drivers to simply exchange batteries instead of charging them when they are exhausted. [YONHAP]

The technology was developed by KooRoo, a venture of LG Energy.

A Lucid Air sedan and Ford Mustang Mach-E were on display — the two vehicles that are still unavailable in Korea. LG Energy supplies batteries for the two models.

Samsung SDI showed off its solid-state battery mockup at the center of the booth. The batteries that are often touted as "dream batteries" due to their dramatically high energy density and safety.

Visitors to InterBattery 2023 look at Samsung SDI's mockup of solid-state battery at Coex, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

While no company has yet been able to commercialize them, Samsung SDI is considered one of the frontrunners in the solid-state battery race, with its pilot plant in Suwon, Gyeonggi scheduled for completion in April.

Mass production will likely come in 2027.

“It’s so good to be here at the Samsung SDI booth and see their latest efforts,” said Keven Wang, who flew from the United States and identified himself as an employee at a battery-related company.

“Korean companies are very technically advanced, but we can’t see them at U.S. shows.”

A visitor to InterBattery 2023 looks at SK On's batteries at Coex, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

While the two companies focused on boasting their future technology, SK On concentrated on promoting how diverse their battery portfolios are.

The battery maker, a subsidiary of SK Innovation and a supplier to Ford, disclosed its prismatic batteries for the first time.

SK's product portfolio has long been concentrated on pouch-type batteries.

Its prismatic battery is known for its fast charging, even faster than its Super-Fast battery, which allows a car to be charged to 80 percent in only 18 minutes.

A prototype lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery was also on display, the cheaper battery that is largely controlled by Chinese manufacturers like CATL.

Visitors to InterBattery 2023 look at SK On's batteries at Coex, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

SK On was the only Korean company to introduce batteries completely free of cobalt, one of the most expensive components that determines EV prices.

A total of 477 companies set up 1,400 booths at this year’s event, the largest number in its 11-year history.

A total of 34,851 visitors registered in advance, a three-fold jump from last year.

InterBattery 2023 runs from Wednesday to Friday at Coex, southern Seoul.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]