Two More Major All-Solid-State Battery Production Lines Completed by a China Company

Recently, two major giants announced the completion of their all-solid-state battery production lines.

(1) South Korea's SK On

On September 16, SK On officially launched its solid-state battery pilot plant located within the Future Technology Institute in Yuseong District, Daejeon Metropolitan City. This production line will primarily be used for trial production of samples to supply customers, and systematically conduct product quality and performance verification. This marks a key step in SK On's journey to becoming a sustainably high-quality development company. The company will make every effort to advance the commercial implementation of the world's first solid-state batteries, accelerating the arrival of the electrification era.

Since the strategic partnership with Solid Power was established in 2022, both parties have continuously deepened joint research and development of all-solid-state batteries. The new factory covers an area of approximately 4,628 square meters. SK On will focus on developing sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries on the pilot production line, with some lines also dedicated to the research and development of solid-state lithium metal batteries.

SK On plans to commercialize solid-state batteries by 2029, a year ahead of the original target of 2030. The company's current primary goal is to develop solid-state batteries with an energy density of 800Wh/L, and it plans to further increase this to 1000Wh/L in the future.

It is worth mentioning that this factory is the first in South Korea to apply SK On's independently developed "Warm Isostatic Pressing (WIP)" technology. This technology can apply uniform pressure to the electrodes in an environment of 25~100℃, effectively improving electrode density and battery performance.

Although WIP technology can significantly suppress battery heating and extend cycle life, traditional processes are difficult to integrate into continuous production lines, limiting manufacturing efficiency. SK On has overcome mass production bottlenecks by pioneering unique battery designs and manufacturing processes, combined with conventional pressing methods, thereby retaining the advantages of WIP. Specifically, the company optimizes the ratio of active materials and conductive agents to reduce internal electrode resistance, thus suppressing battery heating. At the same time, it improves the interfacial bonding between the electrode and the solid-state electrolyte, reducing interfacial resistance and enhancing charge-discharge stability and cycle life.

In addition, SK On is actively expanding its cooperation in industry, academia, and research. Last May, the company collaborated with Hanyang University to develop lithium metal anode protective film technology, successfully tripling the lifespan of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, and the related technology has been patented globally.