EcoPro BM expects mass production of sulfide-based solid electrolytes as early as next year.
EcoPro BM said on the 19th that it unveiled its solid-state battery material development roadmap at a corporate briefing for general investors held at NH Investment & Securities headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th.
Gong Bo-hyeon, an executive director in charge of research and development at EcoPro BM, said, "We are reviewing pilot mass production with leading customers, and the earliest mass production timing is expected to be 2027," and added, "We have completed the mass production line design and are preparing to break ground immediately to meet customer demand."
EcoPro BM said it has secured proprietary process technology in sulfide-based solid electrolytes, a key material for solid-state batteries. After starting development four years ago, it optimized the process and composition, and it is currently operating a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 40 t.
The solid electrolyte produced at the pilot plant passed quality verification by major battery makers. The company is developing solid electrolytes and cathode materials for solid electrolytes together.
LMR (cobalt-free manganese-rich) cathode materials have entered the final verification stage for mass production with key customers. Work is underway to secure the material's stability and reproducibility.
Gong said, "As review requests from new customers increase, we are simultaneously developing product diversification tailored to required performance," and added, "We optimized process conditions so that existing ternary production lines can be used as-is for mass production, completing a structure that enables a rapid switch to mass production in a short period once orders are confirmed."
EcoPro BM is also developing next-generation battery materials, including cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries and high-capacity silicon anodes.