• Developing the world’s first V copper foil featuring an elongation rate higher than conventional products by more than 30% and passing customer’s _ eval_uation

• Mass production targeting high-capacity cylindrical battery cells to start in full swing next year, with the market set to grow at 23% on annual average by 2030

   

SK nexilis, a rechargeable battery copper foil-producing subsidiary of SKC (President: Woncheol Park) has completed the development of the world’s first high-elongation V copper foil for 4680 battery cell, a next-generation high-capacity cylindrical battery cell.

SK nexilis has completed the development of V copper foil featuring an elongation rate* outclassing conventional products by more than 30% and passed customer’s _ eval_uation for the first time in the global copper foil industry. After mass-production _ eval_uation, the V copper foil will be _ _ embed__ded in 4680 battery cells to be mass-produced by the customer. A 4680 battery is a cylindrical battery 46mm wide and 80mm long, delivering five to six times higher energy density and output than conventional product (2170 battery).

*Elongation rate: a rate at which copper foil is elongated without breaking when stretched

The high-elongation V copper foil of SK nexilis features a high elongation rate to address issues arising in connection with the expansion of the anode inside the battery in energy recharging/discharging cycles. Given typical battery structures, it is suitable for cylindrical rechargeable batteries where the anode expands at a relatively higher rate. In particular, high-capacity cylindrical battery cells for electric vehicles such as 4680 battery essentially require copper foil with very high elongation rate.

Major EV makers are positively considering the adoption of high-capacity cylindrical batteries as it can be manufactured more affordably and deliver excellent performance compared with pouch or square-shaped batteries. According to an industry source, the cylindrical battery market is set to grow at a whopping rate of 23% on annual average by 2030, with high-capacity products leading the upward trend. Production of copper foil for cylindrical batteries is also expected to jump from 43,000 tons in 2022 to 230,000 tons in 2030.

Accordingly, demand for the high-elongation V copper foil of SK nexilis will rise rapidly. Capable of manufacturing world’s thinnest, longest and widest copper foil configuration, SK nexilis already succeeded in mass-producing the industry’s first-ever ultra-high-strength U copper foil with a tensile strength of 65kgf/㎟, completing a full lineup of high-strength copper foil products. Addition of high-elongation V copper foil to the lineup will enable SK nexilis to roll out a product lineup extensive enough to deliver physical properties required by customers, enhancing battery performance and productivity at the same time.

“SK nexilis’ untiring commitment to R&D has paid off with the mass production of high-elongation V copper foil in addition to high-quality and high-strength copper foil lineup,” said a source in SK nexilis. “Combining the existing capability of manufacturing super-thin, super-wide and ultra-long copper foil configuration with technological excellence in delivering diverse physical properties required by customers, SK nexilis will supply the world’s highest-quality copper foil and spearhead the rechargeable battery industry of Korea.” [End]