Korea battery makers chase solid-state and sodium-ion tech

Jan. 22 (Asia Today) -- As electric vehicle demand cools and cost pressure rises, South Korea's top battery makers are accelerating work on solid-state and sodium-ion batteries as next-generation bets, industry sources said Thursday.

LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On are focusing on improving performance, lifespan and manufacturing stability, with commercialization goals generally aimed at the late 2020s.

LG Energy Solution is moving most visibly on sodium-ion batteries. The company is building a pilot production line at its Nanjing plant in China and plans to begin producing samples within the year as it evaluates mass-production feasibility, reports said.

Sodium-ion batteries use sodium rather than lithium, an advantage for raw-material availability and price stability. While their energy density is typically lower than lithium-ion cells, they are widely viewed as more suitable for uses where cost and supply chain resilience matter, including energy storage systems and some mass-market electric vehicles.

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Samsung SDI is also developing sodium-ion technology, though it has not publicly detailed a production timeline. SK On is concentrating more heavily on solid-state batteries, with sodium-ion work still described as earlier-stage research.

Solid-state batteries are often described as a potential game-changer because replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials can improve safety and increase energy density. Challenges include manufacturing complexity and cost, making near-term mass production difficult. Samsung SDI has said it is targeting mass production of all-solid-state batteries in 2027. SK On has said it is accelerating its solid-state timeline and targeting commercialization in 2029.

The two technologies are increasingly seen as both competing and complementary. Sodium-ion batteries are positioned for cost-sensitive segments, while solid-state batteries are aimed at premium electric vehicles that prioritize high performance and safety.

Chinese companies are widely viewed as leading the push to commercialize sodium-ion batteries. CATL has introduced "Naxtra," a sodium-ion battery brand it said would enter mass production in December 2025. CATL separately announced an upgraded Shenxing fast-charging battery it said can deliver 520 kilometers of range with a five-minute charge.

Industry officials say South Korean firms are not necessarily behind in technical maturity but face pressure on speed and cost competitiveness as China scales up through rapid market application.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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