South Korean battery materials company LG Chem is developing technology to produce cathodes without precursors, according to a report.
The Korea Economic Daily reported this on Tuesday, with an LG Chem official saying it is an attempt to slash battery manufacturing costs and meet carbon neutrality commitments.
Precursors contain nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. They emit greenhouse gases during manufacturing and consume more electricity than other battery materials.
“We’re developing the technology at our client’s request to produce low carbon products,” the LG Chem official told the paper, adding that no date has been set on commercialisation.
LG favours coprecipitation to make precursors. It uses more than one compound from a solution in the process and precursors are produced when the compound is cleaned and dried.
The new technology will dissolve both metals and lithium simultaneously. Once commercialised, South Korean battery makers will have an alternative to the dominant Chinese precursor market.
LG Chem is now building precursor plants in partnership with China’s Huayou Cobalt and Korea Zinc Inc.