Ecopro BM said on Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung SDI to cooperate on developing materials for all-solid-state batteries. The two companies will begin joint research and development with the goal of commercialising sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries in 2027. They plan to establish a cooperation system from early development through quality evaluation and building a mass-production system.

Samsung SDI will take charge of developing all-solid-state battery cells and advancing mass-production technology, while Ecopro BM will be responsible for developing key materials. The cooperation will cover a range of key materials, starting with cathode materials and including electrolytes for cathodes and electrolytes for separators. All-solid-state batteries are seen as next-generation technology that can improve safety and performance. They are cited as a core technology for electric vehicles and humanoid robots because they can be used longer on a single charge and have a lower fire risk.

Ecopro BM has secured proprietary process technology in the field of sulfide-based solid electrolytes. It is also operating a pilot plant with annual capacity of 40 tons, the company said. Based on competitiveness in powder-control and quality-management technologies, it is also developing cathode materials suitable for solid electrolytes on the back of its high-nickel cathode material technology.

On the back of these results, Ecopro BM was selected in August for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's "Super Eul" project. The project is an R&D support programme aimed at fostering materials, parts and equipment companies that will lead global supply chains by securing world-leading and first-of-its-kind technologies. Companies propose growth strategies and technology development plans, and selections are made through plan evaluation, technology verification and comprehensive assessment. Ecopro BM passed evaluation with a sulfide-based solid-electrolyte task, and the government plans to support selected companies for at least 7 years with 20 billion won per task.

Kong Bo-hyun (공보현), an executive director in charge of research and development at Ecopro BM, said at the time on solid-electrolyte development, "We are currently reviewing pilot mass production with leading customers, and we expect the earliest mass-production timing to be 2027. We have completed mass-production line design and are preparing so that we can immediately begin construction in line with customer demand."