Korean media: "82 to 1", South Korea completely lags behind China in next-generation battery technology!
On August 19, the Korean newspaper "Korea Economic Daily" published an article stating that there are 82 Chinese companies and 1 South Korean company preparing to mass-produce sodium batteries. Sodium batteries, along with all-solid-state batteries, are considered next-generation battery technologies. Chinese companies have invested heavily to commercialize sodium batteries, while South Korean companies have been criticized for lagging in development.
Recently, at a "Current Status of High-Performance Sodium Battery Development Symposium" held in Yeoju Island, Seoul, Han Yong-jun, representative of Energy 11, said, "By 2035, sodium batteries will significantly replace lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, potentially occupying up to 50% of the energy storage system (ESS) market. Since sodium is 1000 times more abundant on Earth than lithium, sodium batteries could theoretically be as much as 25% cheaper, and they also have high energy density." Energy 11 is the company responsible for the "sodium battery" project led by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and is the only domestic South Korean company that has entered the mass production stage. Meanwhile, the top three battery companies in South Korea are delaying their sodium battery mass production plans due to the development of LFP batteries.
Han Yong-jun said, "CATL launched the sodium battery model 'Naxtra' in April and stated that it will achieve mass production within the year, with an energy density of 175Wh/kg, comparable to LFP. I believe that China will soon develop sodium batteries with energy densities of 200Wh/kg level." He also said, "The fate of sodium batteries and the South Korean battery industry will depend on the success or failure of technological development."
Lee Dong-suk, director of future technology at EcoPro BM, said, "Currently, new technologies such as dry processes and bipolar technology being developed by the South Korean battery industry are technically more suitable for sodium batteries compared to LFP batteries. Around 2028, when dry processes and bipolar technology become commercialized, sodium batteries may also quickly achieve commercialization. Before that, what is needed is the industry's high attention and government support."
He also said, "Currently, the number of Chinese researchers working on sodium batteries is at least 2-3 times that of South Korea, and the gap in R&D funding is also significant. Due to South Korea's 52-hour workweek system, it is difficult to ensure sufficient research time. We need to take measures to narrow this gap."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840884525476868/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author."