South Korean battery maker SK On is planning to build a pilot production line to manufacture prismatic batteries starting next month, TheElec has learned.
It has been three years since SK On announced that it plans to manufacture prismatic batteries. The battery maker’s current main offering is pouch batteries.
The line will be built in its research lab in Daejeon. The batteries will have their positive and negative tabs at the top (top tab) and the cans will be made with deep drawing technique. This is the most conventional type of prismatic battery.
SK On is also developing another type of prismatic battery where the tabs will be at the sides (side tab). These are thin cells similar to CATL Qilin and BYD Blade.
Unlike top tab, the cans are made through folding, allowing the battery to house materials for generally higher energy density. They can also be made as module-less.
Side tab prismatic batteries are being developed by SK On’s Future Equipment Team and led by Park Sang-jin, who previously worked at Samsung SDI.
For the pilot line, local equipment makers Mplus, Toptec, and Woowon Technology are competing to win the order.
SK On had dealings with all three makers in the past. Mplus and Toptec supplied tab welding and packaging equipment for pouch batteries. Woowon Technology supplied its notching and stacking equipment.
Prismatic batteries don’t require the packaging process like pouch batteries. They go through jelly roll insertion, can welding, and electrolyte injection.
Another pilot line that manufactures side tab prismatic batteries is planned after the first pilot line is completed, sources said.
