Daejeon: SK On Co., a major South Korean battery maker, has completed the construction of a pilot plant for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), with plans to begin commercialization by 2029.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the completion ceremony for the pilot plant was held in Daejeon, approximately 140 kilometers south of Seoul. This facility will produce prototypes of ASSBs and validate their quality and performance before moving to full-scale production. Unlike lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes, ASSBs use solid electrolytes, offering higher energy density and enhanced safety by being more resistant to heat and pressure, thereby reducing fire risks.

SK On aims to produce ASSBs with an energy density of 800 watt-hours per liter (Wh/L), with a long-term target of increasing this density to 1,000 Wh/L. The 4,600-square-meter facility will utilize a “warm isostatic press-free technology,” a first in the country, which applies uniform pressure to electrodes at elevated temperatures to improve density and performance.

Additionally, SK On has optimized pressing conditions during production to reduce interfacial resistance, enabling more stable charging and discharging with a longer cycle life. SK On President Lee Seok-hee emphasized that this pilot plant will be pivotal for SK On to strengthen its position and adaptability in the evolving business landscape.