Making Batteries with Salt? Korean Stocks Benefiting from GM's Commercialization Decision [Weekend Money]

LG Energy Solution and LG Chem Plan Mass Production
Aekyung Chemical, Sam-A Aluminium, and DI Dongil Also in the Spotlight

General Motors (GM), the American automaker, has embarked on the commercialization of sodium batteries. This marks the first time a non-Chinese automaker has done so. As a result, there are analyses suggesting that Korean battery manufacturers may also consider mass production of sodium batteries.

Hyunryul Cho, a researcher at Samsung Securities, stated, "GM is the first non-Chinese automaker to decide on the commercialization of sodium batteries, and this can be interpreted as the starting point for the global standardization of sodium batteries, which has thus far been centered on China." He added, "Accordingly, the incentive for Korean battery companies to pursue mass production of sodium batteries in order to capture the growing market will increase." According to Cho, LG Energy Solution and LG Chem in Korea are planning to commercialize mass production of sodium batteries and related materials within the next two to three years.

GM's Sodium-Ion Battery Development Roadmap. GM, Samsung Securities

Additionally, Aekyung Chemical, which can produce hard carbon anode materials for sodium batteries, as well as Sam-A Aluminium and DI Dongil, which manufacture aluminum foil that can be used for both cathode and anode in sodium batteries, are receiving renewed market attention.

Meanwhile, on June 9 (local time), GM held an event to unveil its electrification and energy technology strategy. At this event, GM announced its plans for commercializing sodium-ion batteries. GM revealed that it is investing in Peak Energy, a U.S.-based sodium battery startup, and is developing batteries together. The company plans to commercialize these batteries after 2029. GM emphasized that leveraging the low-temperature characteristics of sodium batteries allows for the reduction of cooling systems required for conventional lithium-ion batteries, thus improving the economics of energy storage systems (ESS). GM also announced plans to commercialize vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services and to introduce simplified public charging services.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.