Recognition covers next-generation battery material internalization and high-safety battery development

Samsung SDI researcher Kim Young-ki (left) and Yoo Hee-eun, group leader of Samsung SDI's medium- and large-format business division [Samsung SDI]
Samsung SDI researcher Kim Young-ki (left) and Yoo Hee-eun, group leader of Samsung SDI's medium- and large-format business division [Samsung SDI]

Samsung SDI said Thursday it received a prime minister's commendation and a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy minister's commendation at the sixth Battery Industry Day, observed Sunday.

Battery Industry Day was established in 2021 to celebrate the achievements of South Korea's battery industry and promote its development. This year's ceremony was held Sunday afternoon at Joseon Palace Seoul Gangnam.

Kim Young-ki, a researcher at Samsung SDI's research institute, received the prime minister's commendation in recognition of more than a decade of dedication to cathode material research and development and contributions to advancing the competitiveness of domestic battery material technology. Kim was honored particularly for internalizing lithium cobalt oxide material for prismatic batteries and developing lithium iron phosphate material for ESS applications.

Yoo Hee-eun, group leader of the medium- and large-format business division, received the minister's commendation for leading the development of a high-safety battery that significantly reduces the risk of ignition even under physical damage, as well as a battery electrode with the industry's highest energy density — work recognized as a key contribution to securing next-generation battery technology competitiveness.

The high-energy prismatic battery incorporating the record-energy-density electrode that Yoo led to development won the InterBattery 2026 Awards earlier this year, demonstrating its technological edge.

"It is deeply meaningful that the achievements of our employees, who have worked tirelessly to drive technological innovation on the front lines of next-generation battery material and product development, have been recognized," a Samsung SDI official said. "We will continue to contribute to the advancement of South Korea's battery industry and the strengthening of its global competitiveness, backed by our differentiated technological capabilities."

Meanwhile, Samsung SDI reported consolidated third-quarter sales of 4.69 trillion won ($3.51 billion), operating profit of 407.8 billion won and net profit for the period of 342.2 billion won. Sales rose 52.6 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit swung to a gain from a loss in the same period last year. Operating profit was roughly double the previous quarter's 203.8 billion won and the highest since the third quarter of 2023, when it reached 496 billion won.


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