Ecopro said on the 28th that it has developed high-voltage mid-nickel (HVM) and begun preparations for mass production.
Unlike high-nickel cathodes (nickel content 90% or higher) used in high-capacity electric vehicle batteries, mid-nickel contains about 60% nickel. Nickel accounts for around 70% of the raw material cost of ternary cathodes, so reducing the nickel content can also lower the price of the cathode.
Through this HVM mass production, Ecopro plans to diversify its product and business portfolio toward mid- to low-priced models and respond to demand from global automakers and cell makers to cut cathode prices.
It is negotiating HVM supply with global automakers and cell makers and has begun line modifications for full-scale mass production in 2027. The mid-nickel production base will first be built in Pohang and later applied to the cathode line in Hungary to target the European market.
Ecopro said that through its investment in a nickel smelter on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, it can secure high-quality nickel at low cost, which is expected to further enhance the price competitiveness of mid-nickel.
The HVM developed by Ecopro uses a single-crystal structure to secure high-voltage performance and improve lifespan and safety. The company added that it has also significantly improved the low-temperature performance, previously cited as a weakness of mid-nickel batteries, to deliver stable performance even in severe cold.