LG Energy Solution selected 12 researchers who secured key patents in next-generation battery technologies such as LMR batteries and awarded them on May 18. The company said it held its '2026 Inventor King and Filing King Awards' ceremony at its Park One headquarters in Yeouido and presented awards to researchers with outstanding achievements, including Park Byeong-cheon (박병천), head of cathode material technology. Held annually to coincide with Invention Day on May 19, the event selects winners through evaluations by internal and external experts based on patentability, technical merit and business viability.

The Inventor King gold prize went to Park, who secured key patents in the 'LMR Cell Chemistry' field. Park focused on the technical potential of combining an LMR cathode with a silicon (Si) anode and built a pre-emptive patent barrier before the industry began full-scale development. The company expects the technology to serve as a key platform in the commercialisation phase of LMR batteries. It received high marks for having an exclusive technical structure that competitors would find difficult to work around.

The Inventor King silver prize went to Jeong In-hyeok (정인혁), a senior engineer who developed the core structure of a CAS (cell array structure) for 46-series cells, and to Lee Jae-hwan (이재환), a senior engineer who secured tracking technology for electrode process quality control. The bronze prize went to Lee Jeong-min (이정민), a senior engineer for an electrolyte additive that improves high-temperature durability of LMR batteries; to Jo Min-gi (조민기), a senior engineer for an insulation structure for cylindrical 46-series cells; and to Choi Soon-joo (최순주), a senior engineer for non-destructive cell life verification technology using charge and discharge signals.

The Filing King gold prize went to Jang Hyeok-gyun (장혁균), a senior engineer who filed multiple key patents in battery pack dual-cooling and upper and lower venting. Jang was recognised for contributing to pack design technologies that enhance battery safety, including structures to delay thermal propagation and control gas and sparks. The Filing King silver prize went to Kim Gwang-mo (김광모) and Lee Hyun-hee (이현희), both senior engineers. The bronze prize went to Kim Dae-cheon (김대천) and Ko Gil-nam (고길남), both senior engineers, and to Lee Soo-ho (이수호), an associate.

LG Energy Solution holds a global patent portfolio of about 58,000 registered patents and about 99,000 filings as of late April this year. It is strengthening its R&D competitiveness across the full manufacturing chain from materials to cells, packs, BMS and production processes as it seeks to secure technology leadership.

Chief Executive Kim Dong-myung (김동명) said, "In the battery industry, patents are a powerful weapon to protect global competitive advantage and a source of customer value." He added, "We will fully support the R&D environment so that our members' creative challenges can bear fruit, and will continue to secure overwhelming technology leadership."