POSCO FUTURE M said on the 25th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the POSCO Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with Kumho Petrochemical and BEI to jointly develop an anode-free lithium metal battery technology.
Anode-free lithium metal batteries are considered products well-suited to target new markets, including aerial mobility such as drones, high-performance electric vehicles, and Robotics, because they are lightweight. They do not use anode materials in the battery and instead utilize that space to raise energy density by 30 to 50%.
During charging, lithium ions from the cathode adhere directly to the metal surface that serves as the current collector without passing through the anode material, making the charging speed more than twice as fast as conventional lithium-ion batteries. In particular, existing production facilities can be used, reducing investment burden and lowering manufacturing expense by streamlining process steps.
POSCO FUTURE M will play a key role in delivering battery performance based on cathode material technology optimized for anode-free lithium metal batteries. Kumho Petrochemical plans to improve charging speed and lifespan by producing high-performance carbon nanotubes (CNT), a material that facilitates electron movement within the battery. BEI has the manufacturing base and know-how to turn these material technologies into batteries.
Based on the results of this joint development, the three companies will also consider joint commercialization with the goal of entering new markets such as drones and Robotics.