The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Tue, May 24, 2022 | 17:47
Tech
Samsung SDI to make cobalt-free EV batteries
Posted : 2018-02-12 16:19
Updated : 2018-02-12 17:20
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A model poses with Samsung SDI's electric car batteries at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, or Detroit Motor Show, in January. / Courtesy of Samsund SDI
A model poses with Samsung SDI's electric car batteries at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, or Detroit Motor Show, in January. / Courtesy of Samsund SDI

By Kang Seung-woo

Samsung SDI is exploring ways to manufacture low-cobalt batteries or even cobalt-less batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) amid surging prices for the silver-blue metal.

Cobalt, a critical ingredient of the lithium-ion batteries used to power electric cars, saw its price skyrocket by 235 percent last year -- from $34,600 (37.5 million won) per ton to $81,360 per ton -- due to the Democratic Republic of Congo government's tax hike on the metal.

As the Central African country, which holds 60 percent of the world's cobalt resources, once again attempts to raise taxes on it, the Seoul-based company is gearing up for a possible price rise. Worse, the Congo is currently politically unstable -- something that may further undermine the situation.

The Korean battery maker is tweaking the recipe for lithium-ion batteries to reduce the amount of cobalt needed.

Currently, Samsung employs nickel-cobalt-manganese and nickel-cobalt-aluminum technologies for EV batteries, both of which are seen as favorites for their efficiency and easy manufacturing.

According to Samsung, it has raised the proportion of nickel in both batteries to above 90 percent, with that of cobalt at 5 percent. The firm is now moving to take out cobalt from both technologies.

"We have set our sights on drastically reducing the amount of cobalt," a senior Samsung official said.

The company is also considering recycling worn-out lithium batteries, which means pulling out cobalt and other key components, as it is likely to help expand the supply chain and the business itself is considered promising.

The recycling business is already gaining traction globally.

"Nearly 15 percent of U.S. cobalt consumption already comes from scrap recycling," Suba Arunkumar, consultancy Frost & Sullivan's research manager, told Reuters.

To this end, Samsung is expected to invest in domestic and global recycling companies and sign long-term supply contracts.

"Talks with local and foreign firms on the issue are underway and we will come up with tangible results," the Samsung official said.

Samsung SDI CEO Jun Young-hyun has already expressed the need for a long-term strategy for dealing with the rising price for cobalt.

"To grow the battery business, we are required to reduce a number of variables," Jun said. "Securing differentiated technologies and stable supply chains will pave the way for us to boost our competitiveness."

Also, more countries such as Canada and Australia are emerging as new sources for cobalt, raising expectations that heavy dependency on the Congo for the metal could decrease.


Emailksw@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Son Heung-min becomes 1st Asian scoring champion in Premier League history
  • Korea joins US-led trade pact as China bristles
  • Lotte to pull out of China, focus on Southeast Asia
  • [INTERVIEW] Pyongyang elite won't get COVID-19 vaccine shots, says ex-NK doctor
  • Market experts warn of asset bubble crash in Korea
  • Yoon-Xi summit unlikely any time soon
  • UN denounces racist, homophobic monkeypox reporting
  • Biden says he and Yoon 'married up'
  • Big-tech platform, game stocks hit 52-week lows
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit 17-week low as Omicron wave recedes
  • 'Cyber Hell' director tells of disturbing 'Nth room' crime 'Cyber Hell' director tells of disturbing 'Nth room' crime
  • Why does it take so long for K-pop group members to go solo? Why does it take so long for K-pop group members to go solo?
  • Kim Hee-sun to return to big screen after 19 years Kim Hee-sun to return to big screen after 19 years
  • K-pop act Monsta X embarks on first US tour in 3 years K-pop act Monsta X embarks on first US tour in 3 years
  • Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms Hollywood blockbuster sequels poised to hit theaters, streaming platforms
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group