EcoPro is moving to target the robot battery market, leveraging its ternary and solid-state technology capabilities in step with the expansion of the Humanoid Robot market.
EcoPro said on the 6th that it posted content titled "The big companies' robot war enters full swing… the real battleground is ultimately batteries" on EcoTalkTalk, its in-house communication channel.
EcoPro analyzed that a "robot war" is accelerating among big companies, noting that Samsung Electronics created a future robot task force under the CEO, Hyundai Motor not only drew up plans to deploy the Humanoid Robot "Atlas" at its dedicated EV plant, but LG Electronics also set up a Robotics Business Center reporting directly to its CEO.
EcoPro sees batteries as the key that determines robots' operating performance and run time. However, as battery weight increases, robot load grows, overburdening joint motors and actuators, so it expects ternary batteries, which have higher energy density and are lighter than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, to be adopted.
Accordingly, EcoPro plans to marshal its capabilities for technology development that progresses from high-nickel ternary batteries to solid-state batteries.
EcoPro BM recently won recognition for its research and development results in solid-state battery materials and was selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources' "3rd Super-Eul Project." The company plans to accelerate efforts to advance development of sulfide-based solid electrolytes, a core material of solid-state batteries.
Since starting development of sulfide-based solid electrolytes four years ago, EcoPro BM has optimized processes and compositions, is now operating a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 40 tons, and has passed quality verification by major battery makers. It is discussing trial mass production with leading clients, has completed line design targeting mass production in 2027, and is prepared to break ground immediately to meet customer demand.
Lee Dong-chae, founder of the EcoPro group, emphasized, "As we have gained strong momentum for future growth engines, let's further expand our research and development capabilities and become a game-changer in secondary batteries."
Gong Bo-hyeon, executive director in charge of research and development at EcoPro BM, said, "We have secured proprietary process technology in sulfide-based solid electrolytes and are accelerating to preempt the domestic market," and added, "For cathode materials for solid-state batteries, we optimized the process to use existing ternary production lines, establishing a system that can shift to mass production in a short period."