Ecopro said on Jan. 4 it has set securing technology leadership as its top priority for 2026. Ecopro founder Lee Dong-chae said at a Jan. 2 kickoff ceremony at its headquarters in Cheongju, "To overcome difficult external conditions such as a downturn in the secondary battery market, we must secure fundamental technological competitiveness." He added, "Let us find a way forward with a sense of responsibility and ownership."

Ecopro announced four management principles for this year. The key points are strengthening technology leadership, upgrading overseas business sites, diversifying customers and building a profitable structure through stronger profit-and-loss management. Lee said, "The way for Ecopro, which grew through technology, to break through the current crisis lies in strengthening differentiated R&D capabilities."

Lee showed firm resolve on technological capability. He stressed, "Without technological capability, there is no future." Ecopro plans to actively pursue new technologies by pushing bold innovation such as open innovation to secure technology leadership that can dominate global markets.

Ecopro has defined this year as "Global Management 2.0". It will devote groupwide efforts to upgrading overseas business sites such as its Hungary plant, an outpost in Europe, and its Indonesia smelter. The Hungary plant is preparing for commercial production in the first half of this year. It plans to refine management systems, including quality and safety and environmental management. The Indonesia business will upgrade its profit structure and use it as leverage for global competitiveness.

Strengthening customer relations was also set as an important task. Lee said, "It is very important to build trust for mutual growth with customers by providing differentiated technology with a mindset of growing together." He added, "We must go further together with valued partners such as Samsung SDI and SK On." The company plans to strengthen trust with existing customers while also seeking to win new customers.

Ecopro set a goal of building a profitable structure at all business sites this year. To respond to sharp changes in the secondary battery market, it will bring losses at all sites to zero and maximize efficiency. It plans to maximize synergies in material resources across affiliate companies to boost utilization rates, innovate costs and improve facility efficiency.

Lee said, "All 3,600 of our employees are owners of Ecopro," adding, "If each of us does our best with a sense of ownership in our respective positions in the spirit of Sucheohaengju, I am confident we will achieve all management goals this year."