Remaining No.1 in the league of copper foil makers, SK nexilis!

The world’s No.1 maker of copper foil, a key material for EV batteries, became a new member of SK Group in January, 2020. The company was renamed SK nexilis in April with the determined mission of interweaving a future society with dominant technological prowess. Let’s learn more about SK nexilis that supplies copper foil, a key component of EV battery solutions, being touted for its unwavering spirit of challenge and differentiated technological leadership.

 

 

The ever-mounting interest in the EV market is rapidly boosting up demand for copper foil. Extensively used in smartphone, PCBs used in 5G devices, IC/USIM, and whatnot, copper foil is a critical production material for EV batteries, controlling efficiency of the battery.

 

 

Copper foil is as thin as 1/15 of human hair and used as anode current collector of the secondary battery cell. It does not only let electric current flow but also dissipates the heat generated by the battery.

Copper foil production requires processing prowess to spread copper thin and wide. The thinner it is, the more active material can be loaded into the anode, which reduces battery weight, increases battery capacity, and minimize manufacturing costs and environmental impact. To that end, cutting-edge process control technology and highly competitive production facilities are required.

4g of copper foil are used in making one smartphone whereas 35 to 40kg or ten thousand times more copper foil is required for mid/large-sized EV batteries, which is why copper foil demand has skyrocketed recently. Accordingly, SKC officially announced its takeover of copper foil manufacturer KCFT last June in a bid to get a preemptive vantage point in the future EV market and wound up the acquisition process in January, filing for corporate acquisition in Korea and elsewhere as needed.

 

 

Admitted into SK Group as a new family member, SK nexilis, name derived from the Latin word ‘nexilis’ meaning interwoven in English, is committed to the ambitious vision of ‘interweaving future society with dominant technological prowess’. SK nexilis is specialized in the manufacture of copper foil, a critical component of battery anodes, featuring its world’s best technological prowess. Last October, the company showcased the engineering miracle of producing the world’s longest 30km, 1.4m wide, 4㎛-thick copper foil roll, the world’s thinnest.

On April 29, SK nexilis’ inauguration ceremony was held at Jeongeup factory. Even though the official offline event was canceled in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, Chairman Chey Tae Won delivered a congratulatory video message to over 300 SK nexilis People.

 

“I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you as part of SK People. SK nexilis will be the world’s No.1 copper foil maker, featuring the best technological prowess and expanding globally to build a platform from which customer values and social values will spread. I will also actively commit myself to your vision of ‘interweaving all corners of the world with mobility’ and ‘binding today’s mobility together with tomorrow’s mobility’. “

-Chairman Chey Tae Won

 

 

SK nexilis accounts for 14% of the global copper foil market and remains the unrivaled No.1 in terms of productivity. The company decided to expand its 5th and 6th plant production capacity in March and June respectively. The decision to build additional capacity made just three months after the previous one indicates SK nexilis’ confidence in its matchless technological leadership. SK nexilis will break ground for the 6th plant capable of producing 9,000t of copper foil per year at Jeongeup factory in August at a cost of 120 billion won. The 6th plant is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2022 upon which SK nexilis’ cooper foil production capacity will jump to 52,000t.

 

 

SNE Research, a market research firm, forecasts that the EV battery market which has a great demand of copper foil will rapidly grow at an annual rate of 40% by 2025. In particular, demand for ultra thin copper foil produced by SK nexilis, usually rated at 6㎛ or thinner is expected to grow even more rapidly. SK nexilis is currently considering a possible global capacity expansion jointly with SKC, well experienced in overseas business operations. Overseas production bases will greatly facilitate SK nexilis’ response to global customers. Availability of extra land in SKC’s overseas worksites will also count as a positive element. Making a fresh start, SK nexilis is expected to come to prominence not only in terms of economic value but also social value creation in line with the global trend of focusing on an environment-friendly economy.