POSCO Future M has reached an agreement with a South Korean battery manufacturer to supply more than 190,000 metric tons of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials under a long-term contract.

The company said on Aug. 6 that it agreed to supply more than 190,000 tons of LFP cathode materials over a six-year period from 2027 through 2032. The two companies plan to finalize detailed terms and sign a definitive supply agreement during the third quarter.

To support the supply program, POSCO Future M recently converted part of a high-nickel cathode production line at its Pohang plant into an LFP cathode production line. The company is currently conducting customer qualification procedures for prototype products and plans to begin mass-production shipments by the end of this year.

POSCO Future M said it will strengthen price competitiveness by leveraging raw-material advantages within the POSCO Group. The company plans to lower production costs by utilizing iron oxide generated as a byproduct of steelmaking processes and lithium produced from salt lake operations in Argentina.

The company is also in discussions with other battery manufacturers regarding additional LFP cathode material supply agreements. It said production capacity will be expanded in line with future order intake.

EcoPro BM said its sulfide-based solid electrolyte development project for all-solid-state batteries has been selected for South Korea's third-generation "Super Eul" program, a government initiative led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources to foster globally competitive materials, components and equipment technologies.

The company said on Aug. 6 that its sulfide-based solid electrolyte project was chosen as a beneficiary of the program. The Super Eul initiative is a research and development (R&D) support scheme designed to cultivate key companies capable of securing world-leading technologies in strategic materials, components and equipment sectors. Selected projects can receive up to 20 billion won in R&D funding over a period of more than seven years.

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes are a key material for all-solid-state batteries. They are considered a promising next-generation battery material due to their high ionic conductivity and strong safety characteristics.

EcoPro BM currently operates a pilot plant with annual production capacity of 40 metric tons of sulfide-based solid electrolytes. The company said it has completed qualification processes with major battery manufacturers and is targeting mass production in 2027. It has finalized the design of its commercial production line and plans to build manufacturing facilities in line with customer demand.

In addition to solid electrolytes, EcoPro BM is also developing cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries. The company aims to strengthen its competitiveness in next-generation battery materials by leveraging its existing expertise in high-nickel cathode technologies.

"Discussions are under way with major customers regarding pilot-scale production, and the earliest timeline for mass production is expected to be 2027," said Gong Bo-hyun, vice president of research and development at EcoPro BM. "We have completed the design of the production line and are prepared to begin construction immediately once customer demand is confirmed."

Charging your iPhone to 100% won't damage it instantly. Here's what really wears down your battery and how to protect it.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Shinheung SEC, a key supplier to Samsung SDI, is increasing production capacity for cylindrical battery components by 20% as demand for battery backup units (BBUs) used in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers drives a shortage of cylindrical batteries.

According to industry sources on Aug. 6, Shinheung SEC is expanding production facilities for cylindrical battery current interrupt devices (CIDs) at its Malaysian plant. Monthly production capacity will increase from 80 million cylindrical-cell components to 100 million units.

Shinheung SEC supplies 80% to 90% of the cap assemblies and core CID components used in Samsung SDI's cylindrical batteries. The company is the exclusive supplier for Samsung SDI's Malaysian cylindrical battery plant.

Batteries are generally categorized into cylindrical, prismatic and pouch formats. Cylindrical batteries consist of electrodes housed within a metal cylinder. The cap assembly serves as the battery's top cover and contains safety components such as the CID, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device that controls overcurrent, and a vent for gas release.

Among these components, the CID is a critical safety device that disconnects electrical current and releases internal gas when battery pressure rises, reducing the risk of explosion.

The expansion is being driven by Samsung SDI's growing cylindrical battery production. Malaysia serves as the company's main production base for cylindrical cells. Since 2022, Samsung SDI has invested approximately 1.7 trillion won to establish production lines for 2170 cylindrical batteries, which measure 21 millimeters in diameter and 70 millimeters in height.

Following the expansion, production and sales at the Malaysian battery plant initially fell short of expectations due to slowing demand in power tools and micromobility applications such as electric bicycles. However, market conditions have changed as demand for AI data center BBUs has surged.

BBUs provide emergency power for server racks in data centers. Because server environments require compact form factors and high instantaneous power output, high-performance cylindrical batteries are commonly used.

"Samsung SDI expanded its Malaysian production capacity first, but when output remained weak in the early stages, there was little need for suppliers to increase component capacity," an industry source said. "Recently, demand from AI data centers has risen sharply, significantly boosting cylindrical battery production, and Shinheung SEC is now accelerating facility expansion to keep pace."

Based on the supply capacity of Shinheung SEC's Malaysian operations, Samsung SDI's Malaysian plant is estimated to have annual cylindrical-cell production capacity exceeding 1.2 billion cells. Using an industry assumption that 100 million cylindrical cells correspond to roughly 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh), annual capacity is estimated at more than 24 GWh.

Samsung SDI Energy Malaysia (SDIEM) reported first-quarter revenue of 311.3 billion won this year, more than doubling from 142.0 billion won a year earlier. Annual revenue reached 1.06 trillion won last year, surpassing the 1 trillion won mark again for the first time since 2023.

Shinheung SEC's Malaysian subsidiary also posted strong growth. First-quarter revenue increased to 11.2 billion won from 2.6 billion won a year earlier. Revenue from its small cylindrical CID business rose from 11.0 billion won, representing 10.6% of total sales, in the first quarter of last year to 25.3 billion won, or 20.5% of total sales, in the first quarter of this year.

The company's earnings are expected to improve further beginning in the fourth quarter. Samsung SDI is scheduled to begin mass production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) in October at StarPlus Energy (SPE), its joint venture with Stellantis in Indiana.

Shinheung SEC will supply prismatic battery cap assemblies for those batteries. Prismatic cap assemblies are the company's core business, generating first-quarter revenue of 88.5 billion won, up about 6% from 83.5 billion won a year earlier.

The Korea IR Council projects that Shinheung SEC's operating profit will increase from 5.9 billion won in 2025 to more than 20 billion won in 2026, driven by expanding prismatic cap assembly shipments to SPE and rising demand for cylindrical battery components used in AI data centers.

Lotte Energy Materials plans to bring its Malaysian battery copper foil manufacturing operations to full production capacity by the end of this year.

The company reported second-quarter revenue of 194.2 billion won and an operating loss of 16.9 billion won on Aug. 6. Revenue increased 21.5% from the previous quarter, driven by higher sales of high-power small batteries, copper foil for North American energy storage systems (ESS), and circuit foil products.

Demand from battery backup units (BBUs) and high-power batteries used in power tools supported performance during the quarter. Sales of copper foil for North American ESS applications and circuit foil used in artificial intelligence (AI) substrates also remained solid.

Lotte Energy Materials plans to expand production capacity at its Malaysian facilities. The company began operations at its fifth Malaysian plant in July and intends to move forward the start-up of its sixth plant from next year to the fourth quarter of this year. It aims to transition its Malaysian operations to a fully operational production and sales system within 2026.

Demand for high-performance circuit foil is also increasing as investment in AI data centers accelerates. The circuit foil market is shifting away from products primarily used in conventional information technology devices toward higher-end offerings, including reverse-treated foil (RTF), high-voltage low-profile (HVLP) foil and ultra-thin copper foil.

The company said demand for non-China products is growing, particularly among customers in North America.

“We will respond to demand from the AI data industry through our portfolio of advanced circuit foil and battery copper foil products,” Chief Executive Officer Kim Yeon-seop said. “We will strengthen our production capabilities and pursue earnings growth.

While Americans fret over whether or not electric vehicles are up to the challenge of hauling them back and forth to the Piggly Wiggly, Tonly is putting a fleet of advanced sodium battery electric haul trucks to work mining heavy ore.

America’s 250th birthday on July 4th marked the last day to “safe harbor” a new solar project and still get the 30% solar tax credit – a milestone that many feared would mean the death of home solar. 28 days (ish) later, though, the industry is anything but dead.

GI Tech Chief Executive Officer Lee Sang-kwon has purchased 12,000 shares of the company on the open market.

GI Tech said on Aug. 4 that Lee acquired an additional 6,000 shares on Aug. 3, following a purchase of 6,000 shares in June.

The company said Lee decided to increase his stake after concluding that the recent share price does not fully reflect GI Tech's intrinsic value.

"Through the CEO's share purchase, we will continue to demonstrate responsible management and work toward sustainable growth and enhanced corporate value," a company official said. "Building on the competitiveness of our core business, we plan to maintain earnings growth while pursuing a range of shareholder-friendly initiatives."

GI Tech reported consolidated first-quarter revenue of 10.1 billion won and operating profit of 500 million won. Revenue increased 75.7% from a year earlier, while operating profit returned to positive territory.

The earnings improvement was driven by increased shipments of slot-die equipment for energy storage systems (ESS) used in US battery plants, as well as higher sales of pump systems.

The company plans to strengthen its presence in North America by commencing full-scale operations at its Crown Point, Indiana facility in the second half of this year.

EcoPro BM plans to begin operating a second production line at its Hungary cathode materials plant in September as it seeks to turn its Hungarian subsidiary profitable in the second half of the year.

The company reported consolidated second-quarter revenue of 576.7 billion won and operating profit of 18.0 billion won on July 31. Revenue declined 5% from the previous quarter, while operating profit fell 14%.

Performance was affected by temporary demand disruptions caused by model transitions at European automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a slowdown in the North American electric vehicle market.

By business segment, revenue from energy storage system (ESS) materials fell 54% from the previous quarter due to stagnant European electric vehicle demand and a shift in North American ESS supply chains. Revenue from electric vehicle cathode materials increased only 1%.

In contrast, revenue from power applications rose 28%, supported by expanding investment in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and growing demand for power tools and electric bicycles.

The company plans to accelerate its European expansion through its Hungary facility. After launching the first production line in June, EcoPro BM will begin operating a second line in September. Production is expected to reach 10,000 metric tons this year and expand to 30,000 tons in 2027.

EcoPro BM said the plant's utilization rate and production yield have already reached target levels. While the subsidiary recorded losses in the first half because of depreciation expenses and labor costs associated with initial mass production, the company aims to achieve quarterly profitability in the second half through higher output, improved operating efficiency and cost reductions.

New European projects have also entered mass production. The company recently began manufacturing products for a newly secured European customer and is preparing several additional projects for volume production. EcoPro BM expects growth to gradually recover as shipments from both existing contracts and new programs increase.

The company is also proceeding with its investment in the BNSI nickel smelter project in Indonesia, which is intended to strengthen raw material cost competitiveness. Trial operations are scheduled to begin later this year, with commercial production targeted for the second quarter of 2027.

Once operating at a stable level, the smelter is expected to generate approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenue and achieve a double-digit operating margin, according to the company. Through its 39% stake in BNSI, EcoPro BM expects to secure approximately 36,000 tons of intermediate nickel materials annually.

The company is continuing development of next-generation battery materials. Its sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte has completed customer quality verification and is targeted for mass production in 2027. Lithium manganese-rich (LMR) cathode materials are undergoing customer qualification processes, while sodium-ion cathodes and silicon anodes are also being prepared for commercialization.

EcoPro BM said it remains on track with the 1.2 trillion-won rights offering announced in June. The company plans to determine the preliminary offering price in September, finalize the subscription price in October and list the newly issued shares in November.

Dongwon Systems posted stronger second-quarter earnings, supported by growing exports of high-value-added packaging materials and improved performance at its overseas subsidiaries.

The company disclosed on July 31 that it recorded consolidated revenue of 402.2 billion won and operating profit of 31.4 billion won for the second quarter. Revenue increased 9.8% from a year earlier, while operating profit rose 21.1%.

First-half cumulative revenue reached 740.0 billion won, up 5.2% year over year. Operating profit increased 15.5% to 44.4 billion won. The company said expanded exports of high-value packaging materials and improved profitability at overseas subsidiaries contributed to the earnings growth.

In its materials business, Dongwon Systems expanded exports of its recyclable polyethylene (PE)-based mono-material packaging products to North America, Asia and Africa. Exports of the products increased by about 20% from the same period last year.

Its Vietnamese subsidiary, Tan Tien Packaging (TTP), also posted stronger sales as shipments to North American markets, including the United States and Canada, increased. Revenue at the subsidiary rose by approximately 20% year over year.

A Dongwon Systems representative said the company plans to further expand overseas packaging material sales in the second half while fostering new businesses, including battery materials and advanced films.

POSCO Holdings improved profitability in the second quarter, supported by stronger performance from its lithium and liquefied natural gas (LNG) businesses. The company's battery materials segment also returned to profitability, contributing to overall earnings growth.

The company reported revenue of 19.259 trillion won and operating profit of 819 billion won for the second quarter, according to results released on July 30. Net profit totaled 761 billion won. Major businesses, including steel, battery materials and energy, all improved from the previous quarter.

In the battery materials segment, POSCO Future M benefited from inventory valuation gains on cathode materials and a recovery in anode material sales. The company reported revenue of 679.5 billion won and operating profit of 26.7 billion won on a consolidated basis in the second quarter. Operating profit surged 3,351.2% from a year earlier.

The battery materials business posted revenue of 327.9 billion won and operating profit of 2.5 billion won, returning to profitability from the previous quarter. Improved earnings were driven by inventory valuation gains on cathode materials and increased anode material sales to key customers. The basic materials business recorded revenue of 351.6 billion won and operating profit of 24.2 billion won, with operating profit rising 28.7% from the previous quarter.

The lithium business also continued to improve. POSCO Argentina achieved its first quarterly profit after stabilizing operations and improving facilities at its first lithium brine plant. POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution also reported stronger profitability, supported by higher sales volumes and rising lithium prices. Battery recycling subsidiary POSCO HY Clean Metal has remained profitable every month since December 2025, driven by high utilization rates.

In the infrastructure segment, POSCO International posted its highest-ever quarterly operating profit, supported by strong performance from gas fields in Myanmar and Australia and its palm oil business in Indonesia. POSCO E&C maintained stable profitability on the back of increased construction orders.

Many MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo owners have noticed something curious; their MacBook battery stops charging at 80% when plugged in. To add to the confusion, even if they leave their MacBook plugged in overnight, the battery seems to be stuck at 80% and will not charge any further. Because this is not ... Read More

The post Why MacBook Stops Charging at 80% and How to Fix It appeared first on OS X Daily.

POSCO Future M will begin mass producing hard carbon anode material, a core material for sodium-ion batteries, in 2028. It is the second company in South Korea, after Aekyung Chemical, to disclose plans for both the development and mass production of hard carbon anode material.

According to industry sources on July 24, POSCO Future M recently drew up its development plans for battery cathode and anode materials as well as its next-generation materials strategy. The development status and mass production plans for hard carbon anode material for sodium-ion batteries were included for the first time.

POSCO Future M plans to complete development of the hard carbon anode material by the third quarter of 2027 and begin mass production in 2028. It expects that rather than fully replacing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, sodium-ion batteries will broaden their range of use mainly in fields requiring low-temperature environments and long life. South Korean battery makers including LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are also developing sodium-ion batteries aimed at low-temperature, long-duration energy storage systems (ESS).

Sodium-ion batteries are next-generation batteries that use sodium (Na) instead of lithium (Li). Sodium is abundant on Earth, making raw material procurement easier than for lithium, with relatively smaller price fluctuations. The basic structure, consisting of a cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator, is the same as that of lithium-ion batteries, but the component materials differ. Cathode materials use sodium iron phosphate (NFPP) or nickel-iron-manganese (NFM), while hard carbon is mainly applied in place of graphite for the anode material. The electrolyte also uses sodium salts dissolved in an organic solvent.

The reason the anode material changes is the size of the sodium atom. Sodium atoms are about 2.5 times larger than lithium atoms and more than three times heavier. Ordinary graphite has narrow spacing between layers, making it difficult for the larger sodium ions to move in and out freely.

Hard carbon, by contrast, has a wide interlayer structure and fine pores inside that can stably store sodium ions. Its structural deformation is also relatively small even after repeated charging and discharging. Hard carbon costs more than three times as much as graphite, but a substantial portion of that cost burden can be offset because aluminum foil, priced at about one-third the cost of conventional copper foil, can be used as the current collector.

POSCO Future M plans to mass produce hard carbon using its existing anode material production lines. Existing equipment such as heat-treatment furnaces, reactors and slurry processes can be partially adapted, reducing the burden of new investment.

Market research firms forecast that global sodium-ion battery shipments will exceed 70 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2028. Producing 1 GWh of batteries requires about 1,500 tons of hard carbon anode material. On that basis, demand for hard carbon anode material in 2028 is estimated to exceed 100,000 tons. China has already taken the lead in the supply chain.

The companies currently mass producing hard carbon anode material are Chinese firms including BTR, Shanshan and Zhongke Electric. These companies are also among the global leaders in the graphite anode material market. China's hard carbon production capacity is estimated at 80,000 to 90,000 tons a year. In South Korea, Aekyung Chemical was the first to disclose plans for hard carbon mass production. It is building a pilot line with annual capacity of 1,300 tons, targeting completion within this year.

Besides hard carbon, POSCO Future M also unveiled a development roadmap for other next-generation battery materials, including LFP cathode material, lithium manganese-rich (LMR) cathode material and silicon anode material. It will convert part of its cathode production lines in Pohang for LFP use, produce prototypes this year and start mass production in the second half. In 2029, it will build an LFP cathode production system applying raw materials from within the group and its own processes. For anode materials, it will also expand its product lineup to include natural and artificial graphite and silicon anode materials to respond to changes in the electric vehicle and ESS markets.

Eco&Dream has begun mass shipments to customers of nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) precursors produced at its Saemangeum Campus, marking the full-scale launch of operations at its new manufacturing base.

The company said on July 24 that it has shipped NCM precursors manufactured at the Saemangeum Campus in line with customer orders. It has stabilized production processes and quality control systems at the facility.

Precursors are the key raw material used to produce cathode materials, which determine battery performance. Cathode materials account for about 40% of a battery's cost, while precursors represent roughly 70% of cathode material costs. Eco&Dream is also pursuing commercialization of new precursor products, developing customized NCM precursors with differentiated compositions, particle sizes, densities and surface characteristics tailored to electric vehicle (EV) platforms, battery cell designs and application-specific performance requirements.

Building on its existing and new products, the company is targeting the global EV and all-solid-state battery materials markets. It plans to strengthen its "Precursor Foundry" strategy by broadening its EV precursor portfolio while further advancing precursor design technologies for all-solid-state batteries. Eco&Dream also intends to pursue joint development projects and product evaluations with customers and expand its portfolio into next-generation materials, including solid electrolytes.

The company said it is also in discussions on EV localization projects in Europe, supply projects with battery makers in North America and global EV application projects.

"We have expanded our precursor production base to the Saemangeum Campus and begun full-scale operations at the new manufacturing base," an Eco&Dream official said. "We will respond reliably to customers' quality and supply requirements while further raising the utilization rate of the Saemangeum Campus."

Apple’s wafer-thin iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is currently available at a significant discount — 40% off, dropping from its regular $99 price to $59 at Amazon.

This official Apple accessory is designed as a slim, seamless power extension specifically for the iPhone Air. It magnetically attaches to the back of the phone and is thin enough to slip into a pocket while still attached, making it feel more like a permanent battery upgrade than a traditional bulky power bank.

Key Features and Benefits

Apple engineered the MagSafe Battery exclusively for the iPhone Air. It adds up to 65% additional charge, helping extend battery life beyond that of other iPhones in the lineup under tested conditions.

Highlights include:

• Ultra-thin and lightweight design — Reviews and product details note its slim profile (around 6.5 mm in some comparisons), rounded edges for comfortable handling, and a soft-touch finish that integrates cleanly with the phone.

• Up to 12W wireless charging on the go when snapped on. For faster results, attach it and plug the phone into a higher-wattage adapter (20W+ or 25–30W recommended in some guidance) at the same time.

• Smart charging behavior — The system intelligently manages power between the phone and the battery pack to maximize overall runtime. It can also charge smaller accessories via its USB-C port.

• Seamless MagSafe attachment — It aligns magnetically and works with compatible MagSafe cases (remove cards or other items from wallets first).

Capacity is relatively modest (teardowns and reports point to roughly 3,149 mAh, similar to the iPhone Air’s own battery), so it prioritizes slimness and integration over maximum capacity. It typically provides a meaningful top-up (enough for a full day of moderate use in many scenarios) rather than a complete full recharge in one go.

Who It’s Best For

This is ideal for iPhone Air owners who want extra battery without adding noticeable bulk or changing the phone’s sleek feel. It can serve as a near-permanent companion for all-day use. While primarily optimized for the iPhone Air, some users have noted broader MagSafe compatibility benefits with other recent iPhones, though Apple positions it as exclusive to the Air.

MacDailyNews Take: The $59 price (40% off the $99 MSRP) represents a solid discount on an official Apple accessory. Deals like this can sell out or change quickly — Amazon stock and pricing fluctuate — so check the current listing directly. Apple’s own store continues to list it at the full $99.

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LG Energy Solution (LGES) will collaborate with Chungbuk National University (CBNU), North Chungcheong Province, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and the Korea Battery Industry Association (KBIA) to cultivate regional talent for the battery industry.

LGES said on July 23 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the four organizations at CBNU's main administration building under the Regional Talent Development for Growth Engine Industries initiative.

The agreement was established in line with the government's regional talent development policy for future growth industries, aiming to connect universities' education and research capabilities with the technology needs of industry. The participating organizations plan to develop curricula that reflect demand from the battery industry while strengthening industry-academia collaboration.

Under the agreement, the participants will jointly develop company-tailored educational programs and short-term training courses, while expanding contract-based enrollment programs and employment-linked education. LGES plans to strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities and workforce competitiveness centered on its Ochang Energy Plant in North Chungcheong Province.

"We will expand cooperation with the government, local authorities and universities to foster regional talent and build a stronger research and development (R&D) ecosystem," said Kim Ki-soo, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO) and Executive Vice President of LGES.

Investment in Indonesia’s nickel industry continues to accelerate despite a global oversupply of the battery material, as concerns over mineral security increasingly outweigh worries about excess supply. Companies including EcoPro BM are expanding investments to strengthen their access to critical raw materials amid tightening supply chain regulations.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its recently published Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026, estimated that the global nickel market recorded an oversupply of approximately 200,000 metric tons in 2025. Continued investment in mining and smelting, particularly in Indonesia, has rapidly increased both mined and refined nickel production. The IEA expects supply growth to outpace demand for roughly the next decade, with significant new investment becoming necessary only after 2035.

Even so, companies continue to invest aggressively in securing nickel supply chains. EcoPro BM recently announced that 64% of the proceeds from its 1.2 trillion won rights offering will be used to acquire a stake in an Indonesian nickel smelter. The company believes that securing reliable access to nickel has become more important than the existence of surplus supply itself.

While stainless steel remains the largest consumer of nickel, demand growth is increasingly being driven by the battery industry. Nickel has emerged as a strategic mineral because it is a key material for high-energy-density batteries that extend electric vehicle (EV) driving range. Higher nickel content allows batteries to travel farther on a single charge, prompting South Korean battery makers to focus for years on developing high-nickel cathode materials.

Increasing nickel content also reduces reliance on cobalt, a material associated with greater supply chain risks. Ultra-high-nickel cathodes containing more than 95% nickel have been used in vehicles including Tesla’s Model Y Long Range. EcoPro BM is also focusing production at its Hungary plant, which began operations this year, on ternary cathode materials that use nickel as the primary raw material.

Most nickel feedstock is sourced from Indonesia, the world’s largest nickel producer. Backed by abundant reserves, Indonesia has become the center of global nickel supply by attracting investment in mines and smelters. According to the IEA, Indonesia accounts for about two-thirds of global nickel mine production and roughly half of global refined nickel output. Last year, Indonesia’s nickel mine production increased 9% while refined output rose 7%. In contrast, mine production in countries including Australia and New Caledonia declined by more than 10%. The IEA said the global nickel supply chain is becoming increasingly concentrated in Indonesia.

The challenge is that much of Indonesia’s nickel supply chain is controlled by Chinese companies. After the Indonesian government restricted exports of unprocessed nickel ore and encouraged domestic smelting investment, Chinese capital and technology flowed into the country. As a result, major nickel smelters and industrial parks are now largely operated by Chinese companies including CATL, CNGR Advanced Material, and GEM. The IEA projects that by 2035 Indonesia will account for more than 70% of global production of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) and nickel matte, key feedstocks for battery-grade nickel sulfate, while China will produce 70% of global nickel sulfate.

The IEA identified mineral security as the primary reason companies continue investing despite oversupply. Global nickel demand is projected to increase 65%, from 3.532 million metric tons in 2025 to 5.832 million metric tons by 2040. As China expands export controls and nickel production becomes increasingly concentrated in Indonesia, securing stable access to raw materials is becoming a key competitive advantage.

Supply chain regulations, rather than concerns about future shortages, are also driving EcoPro and EcoPro BM’s investments in Indonesia. The United States is tightening restrictions on critical mineral supply chains involving prohibited foreign entities (PFE), particularly where Chinese participation exceeds 25%. EcoPro BM aims to use nickel produced at the BNSI smelter in Indonesia as feedstock that complies with PFE requirements. The investment is also viewed as positioning the company for Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which similarly encourages supply chain diversification.

EcoPro’s broader strategy is to establish vertical integration based on low-cost nickel. The company is building a value chain that links nickel produced in Indonesia to precursor materials, cathodes, and battery production in Europe. Cathode materials account for about 40% of battery manufacturing costs, while precursors represent roughly 70% of cathode production costs. Lower nickel procurement costs improve overall price competitiveness. EcoPro aims to build a cost structure capable of competing with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

“Cathode material manufacturers also need to secure their own nickel supply chains to strengthen both cost competitiveness and competitiveness in winning new orders,” EcoPro BM Chief Executive Officer Kim Jang-woo said during a rights offering briefing on July 16.

Following its investment in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), EcoPro Group is also the largest shareholder in the BNSI nickel smelter at the Indonesia Green Industrial Park (IGIP). Over the past four years, the company has secured annual nickel supply rights for 29,000 metric tons through four smelters—Meiming, ESG, Green Eco Nickel, and QMB—located within IMIP. Once BNSI begins operations in the second quarter of next year, it will add another 36,000 metric tons annually, bringing EcoPro’s total secured nickel supply to 65,000 metric tons per year, enough to produce batteries for approximately 1.5 million EVs.

Indonesia's PT Blue Sparking Nickel Indonesia (BNSI) nickel smelter, in which EcoPro is the largest shareholder, has received a key processing unit, an autoclave reactor, as the project accelerates toward completion by the end of this year.

​EcoPro said on July 23 that BNSI held a ceremony to mark the arrival of the autoclave reactor at its nickel smelter in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

​The BNSI smelter will have an annual nickel production capacity of 90,000 metric tons. The project plans to install three autoclave reactors, each with a capacity of 30,000 tons, and two units have now been delivered. The remaining reactor is scheduled to arrive in September. After completing installation, the company aims to finish construction and begin trial production by the end of this year, with full commercial operations targeted for the second quarter of 2027.

​The autoclave is the core piece of equipment in the High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) process, where nickel ore reacts with sulfuric acid under high temperature and pressure to extract nickel and cobalt. With the arrival of the reactors, the project has moved beyond the civil engineering and building phase into the installation of major production equipment.

​In line with the reactor delivery, the Indonesian government designated a 71.47-hectare area surrounding the smelter as a bonded zone. The designation is expected to improve operational efficiency by simplifying customs clearance and tax procedures for imported equipment, raw materials, and auxiliary supplies, while deferring or exempting value-added tax and import income tax.

​BNSI is a joint venture in which EcoPro holds a 39% stake. PT Vale Indonesia (PTVI) owns 30%, China's GEM Co., Ltd. holds 21%, and the remaining 10% is earmarked for strategic investors. Through BNSI, EcoPro will secure rights to procure 36,000 metric tons of nickel annually. Combined with volumes from its existing Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) project, the company will have access to a total of 65,000 metric tons of nickel per year.

​"HPAL autoclaves are the core equipment of the BNSI project," EcoPro Founder Lee Dong-chae said. "The BNSI project has moved beyond the planning stage and taken a major step toward full-scale construction and completion."

LG Energy Solution has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese battery maker EVE Energy in the United States.

​Tulip Innovation, LG Energy Solution's patent management company, announced on July 21 (local time) that LG Energy Solution had filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking an exclusion order against EVE Energy and U.S. importers, while also filing a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

​The litigation involves five patents, including four related to cylindrical batteries and one covering battery separators. The disputed portfolio includes patents related to tabless technology for cylindrical batteries.

​In addition to EVE Energy, LG Energy Solution has named U.S. customers that purchase EVE Energy's battery cells and sell power tools and other products in the U.S. market in its ITC complaint. If LG Energy Solution prevails before the ITC, the commission could issue an exclusion order barring imports of the accused products into the United States, as well as cease-and-desist orders restricting their sale and distribution in the country.

​LG Energy Solution began mass production of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries in 1998. The company holds an extensive portfolio of patents covering cylindrical battery formats, including 18650, 21700, and next-generation 46-series batteries.