Ecopro said on April 12 that its sub-subsidiary Ecopro Lithium secured C$6 million in research and development funding from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). The funding was 마련됐다 as part of the Canadian government's Energy Innovation Program (EIP) to build a domestic battery supply chain.

Ecopro Innovation, the parent of Ecopro Lithium, will use the funds to push ahead with a demonstration project for a lithium metal anode process for next-generation batteries. Lithium metal anode materials have about 10 times the energy density of graphite and can dramatically increase electric vehicle driving range.

Ecopro Innovation signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Hydro-Quebec, a power company under the Quebec provincial government, in March last year and has been developing lithium metal anodes. Through the demonstration project, it plans to build the entire value chain locally in Canada by March 2027, from lithium metal production to high-purity refining, ultrathin foil manufacturing and performance and safety verification.

Ecopro is also developing solid electrolytes, all-solid-state cathode materials and lithium sulfide alongside anode materials for all-solid-state batteries. For solid electrolytes, it has built pilot facilities at its headquarters in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province and is producing samples with an annual capacity of 40 tons, aiming for commercialisation next year.

An Ecopro Innovation official said the company is working with the Canadian government and local companies to advance lithium metal anode technology to lead the all-solid-state battery market. The official said the funding will further speed up related technology development.