Korea Zinc participated in InterBattery 2024, the largest exhibition in Korea and also one of the world’s top three exhibitions in the secondary battery industry, held at COEX in Seoul from March 6th to 8th. At the event, Korea Zinc showcased its overall vision for the future of the secondary battery materials business. Marking its 12th anniversary, InterBattery has been driving the development of the battery industry since its inception and this year’s exhibition has garnered significant attention worldwide with a record-breaking participation of 579 companies from 18 countries.

Mookyung Jung, president of sustainability management unit of Korea Zinc, and other key figures graced the successful hosting of InterBattery at the opening ceremony. In particular, Kyung-sung Kang, a vice minister of the ministry of trade, industry, and energy, stated, ” In consultation with relevant ministries, we will support R&D worth more than KRW 500 billion in the upcoming five years for the development of next-generation batteries and eco-friendly technologies.”

While K-battery companies are competing to present the latest trends in secondary battery technology, ranging from battery raw materials to materials, manufacturing, and spent battery recycling, Korea Zinc also successfully demonstrated its core technological capabilities in the secondary battery materials business, secured through continuous capacity building. Let’s take a closer look at the captured moments that attracted numerous attendees!

As soon as visitors stepped into the Korea Zinc booth, their attention was immediately captured by the expansive ‘Kinetic LED Wall’, filling the whole booth. Korea Zinc was the only company to incorporate this technology among other exhibitors and provided a high level of engagement and enhanced the enjoyment of viewing the exhibition time by reinterpreting Korea Zinc’s next-generation process technology through dynamic motion.

Furthermore, at the center of the exhibition hall, a diorama was prominently positioned, depicting the entire process of the secondary battery material value chain, from raw material sourcing for battery material production to the final consumption of finished products. The diorama zone provided a comprehensive overview of Korea Zinc’s business operations, allowing visitors to grasp the general flow of the company’s activities at a glance.

The nickel smelting zone featured a unique presentation highlighting the production process of nickel sulfate, used in the production of battery precursors, by using a robotic arm. As the arm moved in multiple directions, it illuminated various parts of the diorama, triggering interactive displays on monitors that replayed the corresponding processes.

Korea Zinc has secured a stable supply chain of raw materials with its subsidiary KEMCO’s nickel sulfate production capacity reaching 80,000 tons. Additionally, aiming for operation by 2026, Korea Zinc is leveraging its distinctive smelting method through an all-in-one nickel refinery to process various raw materials with different nickel contents, such as black mass and MHP, in a single facility. This approach offers a competitive advantage with higher production efficiency compared to other refineries.

As the ESG standards are strengthened globally, there has been significant amount of attention on recycling technologies for spent batteries. Korea Zinc introduced each manufacturing stage of precursors and cathode active materials, linked with its nickel smelting and recycling business, at the battery cathode material zone. Additionally, Korea Zinc highlighted its world-leading technology that enables the recovery of various rare metals from spent batteries.

Korea Zinc Cathode Material Business

Establishing a competitive, integrated, and stable raw material supply chain for the growth of the eco-friendly electric vehicle industry

Copper foil zone drew attention with a model that reproduced the actual copper foil products delivered to customers. A touch screen was installed to interactively introduce to the audience on the differentiated milling technology and impurity suppression technology, based on Korea Zinc’s unique electrolysis technology accumulated over the past 50 years. This zone showed better understanding of the product structure and detailed processes.

A company that most reliably supplies
the world’s best eco-friendly copper foil
based on Global No.1 Smelting Technology

1

Stability of raw materials supply

• Use of in-house produced electrolytic copper
• Establishment of global raw material supply
  routes through the acquisition of IGNEO,
  a Global E-waste processing company

2

100% Recycled Raw Materials

• Extracting high-purity copper from
  e-waste/waste concentrates
• Reducing carbon emissions compared to
  using millberry

3

Differentiated copper foil
production technology

• Maximizing process efficiency through
  specialized copper smelting technology
  for high-purity solution production
• Milling technology through Korea,
  zinc’s unique electrolytic technology
  with over 50 years of experience

4

Securing optimal global production
hubs and expansion

• Strengthening competitiveness through
  the global expansion of copper foil factories
• Simplifying SCM, reducing Lead Time, and
  establishing economic advantages

From the best smelting technology over the past 50 years
To securing stable mineral resources through global mining networks,
Korea Zinc’s secondary battery materials industry
has experienced remarkable growth.

Korea Zinc is an innovative company creating future value
for eco-friendliness and circular economy.
Through relentless change and innovation beyond limits,
Korea Zinc will continue to drive qualitative growth
and pioneer a sustainable future.