EcoPro EM, the joint venture between Samsung SDI and EcoPro BM, has started the operation of its new cathode factory.
The company said on Thursday that CAM6 at Pohang city has started operation. The factory is commencing trial runs and full production will begin during the first quarter of 2022.
EcoPro EM has secured a production capacity of 36,000 metric tonnes a year for cathode with the start of CAM6’s operation.
The new factory will supply all the cathode it produces to Samsung SDI.
Besides the new factory, EcoPro EM’s parent company EcoPro BM has four factories at Ochang city, CAM1 to 4, and two more at Pohang, CAM5 and CAM5N.
EcoPro BM’s current cathode production capacity is 80,000 metric tonnes a year __ it is planning to increase this to 180,000 metric tonnes a year by 2024.
The company also has various affiliates at Pohang that cover the life cycle of cathode production.
Samsung SDI and EcoPro BM own 40% and 60% stakes, respectively, in EcoPro EM.