LG Chem starts mass production of single-crystal cathodes

Industry

Published: 26 Jun. 2023, 16:23

LG Chem starts mass production of single-crystal cathodes

LG Chem's Cheongju plant in North Chungcheong [LG CHEM]

LG Chem has begun mass production of single-crystal cathode materials, which it says can increase the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries by 30 percent.

It is the first time a Korean company has produced materials made with a single crystal structure, LG Chem said on Monday.

The single-crystal cathodes will start being delivered to clients in July. They are currently manufactured at its Cheongju plant, North Chungcheong, with LG Chem aiming to expand its production capacity to 50,000 tons per year by the end of 2027.

Single-crystal cathode materials are made from metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese, and are then placed into a one-body structure. Regarded as vital for improving the lifespan and capacity of next-generation secondary batteries, cathodes are a core component in making EV batteries, which account for around 40 percent of battery production costs.

Conventional cathodes have a polycrystal structure consisting of metal particles, which often create fissures that impact the battery's lifespan.

However, single-crystal cathodes increase the lifespan by 30 percent and raise the energy density of the battery by 10 percent. While an EV equipped with batteries made from conventional cathodes can run 500 kilometers (310 miles) per single charge, an EV with single-crystal cathodes can travel 550 kilometers per charge, according to LG Chem.

Single-crystal cathodes will be used in pouch- and cylindrical-type battery cells, including Tesla's 4680-type cylindrical battery, with the batteries being 46 millimeters in diameter and 80 millimeters in height.

"Single-crystal cathode materials are an innovation to transform the future battery material market, as well as the key to solving client's pain points," said LG Chem CEO Shin Hak-cheol.

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