SK on is developing anode materials for EV batteries with Urbix, an American secondary battery material company.
On the 19th, SK on announced that they recently signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Urbix. The term covers 2 years and can be extended upon agreement.
SK on plans to apply natural graphite refined by Urbix on their anode materials. Urbix is a natural graphite processing technology company that was established in 2014.
They are building an anode material production line with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons in the state of Arizona. They plan to expand to 28,500 tons by 2025.
Anode materials are one of the 4 main components (cathode, anode, separators, electrolytes) of batteries. They determine the charging capacity and efficiency of batteries.
Graphite is used as a material for anode materials. Graphite is mainly supplied from China. While Korean battery companies are diversifying their anode material supply chain to respond to the US’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it is interpreted that SK on and Urbix have responded by forming a new cooperative relationship. Heeyoung Sun, head of advanced research at SK on said that, “We will make the IRA a factor for opportunities.”
By Staff Reporter Jiwoong Kim jw0316@etnews.com