Samsung, Hyundai Motor, LG intensify robot race

High-nickel battery materials gain spotlight

Full value chain for all-solid-state materials in preparation

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy selects firm for 'Super Eul Project'

Solid electrolyte powder for all-solid-state batteries, a key material expected to accelerate the commercialization of humanoid robots. [Ecopro]
Solid electrolyte powder for all-solid-state batteries, a key material expected to accelerate the commercialization of humanoid robots. [Ecopro]

Ecopro is moving to capture the humanoid robot battery market as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The company recently published a piece titled "Major conglomerates' robot war intensifies — ultimately, it all comes down to the battery" through its internal communications channel, "Eco Talk Talk."

The post highlighted how the "robot war" is accelerating among South Korea's largest conglomerates: Samsung Electronics has established a Future Robotics Promotion Unit reporting directly to its CEO, Hyundai Motor Company plans to deploy its humanoid robot "Atlas" at electric vehicle-dedicated factories, and LG Electronics has set up a Robotics Business Center under its CEO.

Ecopro expects high-nickel ternary batteries — prized for their high energy density — to dominate the robot market. The company sees humanoid robots in particular as an ideal application for high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries, and believes the segment will offer a prime opportunity to showcase its technological evolution from high-nickel ternary cathode materials toward all-solid-state battery materials.

Goldman Sachs has projected the humanoid robot market will grow to $38 billion by 2035, with annual shipments surpassing 1.4 million units.

Ecopro said the battery is the decisive factor determining a robot's operating performance and runtime, and predicted that ternary batteries will lead the market.

The reasoning: heavier batteries increase a robot's load, placing excessive strain on joint motors and actuators. Ternary batteries, which offer higher energy density and lighter weight than lithium iron phosphate batteries, are therefore expected to be the preferred choice.

Song Jun-ho, head of the IT Materials and Components Research Division at the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, said in an Eco Talk Talk interview that "humanoid robots are likely to become one of the most representative markets where high energy density matters," adding that "ultra-high-density high-nickel single-crystal technology must be advanced and all-solid-state cathode materials commercialized at an early stage."

Ecopro also shared with employees the latest developments in all-solid-state battery technology — which it described as a potential game-changer for the battery industry — through a separate internal post titled "Dissecting the Super Eul Project."

Ecopro BM was recently selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Third-Generation Super Eul Project in recognition of its research and development achievements in all-solid-state battery materials. The Super Eul Project is a large-scale government R&D support program aimed at nurturing materials, components and equipment companies that secure an indispensable position in global supply chains through irreplaceable technology — modeled on the role played by Dutch lithography equipment maker ASML.

The core of the project is to link raw materials, components and cells needed for all-solid-state battery development into a single integrated development framework. Ecopro BM leads the project, with the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology and Hanyang University participating.

Ecopro BM plans to accelerate the development of sulfide-based solid electrolytes — a critical material for all-solid-state batteries — as part of the project.

Lee Dong-chae, founder of Ecopro Group, said the selection "gives us great momentum for future growth," urging the company to "further expand our R&D capabilities and become a game-changer in secondary batteries."

Ecopro has been moving to secure a first-mover position in the domestic market for sulfide-based solid electrolytes, having developed proprietary process technology in the field. Ecopro BM began development four years ago, has since optimized its processes and composition, and now operates a pilot plant with an annual production capacity of 40 tons. The company has also passed quality verification by major battery manufacturers.

Ecopro BM is currently in discussions with leading customers on trial production and has completed line design with a target of full mass production in 2027, positioning itself to break ground immediately in line with customer demand. In addition, the company is simultaneously developing all-solid-state battery cathode materials suited to solid electrolytes, drawing on its high-nickel cathode technology to build differentiated competitiveness.

Kong Bo-hyun, executive vice president for research and development at Ecopro BM, said the company "is accelerating its push to secure a first-mover position in the domestic market by developing proprietary process technology in sulfide-based solid electrolytes." He added that for all-solid-state battery cathode materials, the company "has optimized processes to leverage existing ternary production lines, establishing a system that enables a rapid transition to mass production."


likehyo85@heraldcorp.com