SK On and Sakuu Form Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Battery Manufacturing
Photo: Sakuu
In a significant move for the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, SK On, a leading global EV battery manufacturer, has announced a joint development agreement with Sakuu, renowned for its groundbreaking manufacturing platform for 3D printing battery electrodes. This partnership aims to leverage Sakuu’s innovative Kavian 3D printing platform to transform the landscape of battery production.
Cutting-Edge 3D Printing Technology
Sakuu, based in San Jose, has pioneered an industry-first method that enables the 3D printing of fully functional batteries in customizable shapes and sizes. The Kavian platform boasts a fully dry process that eliminates the need for solvents. This approach not only promises substantial cost reductions—potentially cutting production costs nearly in half—but also enhances battery longevity and recyclability compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Expanding US Battery Production
With SK On becoming one of the inaugural partners to utilize the Kavian platform, the impact on the battery production industry could be profound. SK On already operates two prolific EV battery plants in Commerce, Georgia, and is expanding its footprint in the U.S. Southeast through new battery plants in collaboration with automotive giants Ford and Hyundai.
Strategic Collaboration and Future Prospects
Earlier this week, SK On deepened its commitment to scaling up battery production in the U.S. by signing a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ExxonMobil. This agreement involves a multiyear offtake of up to 100,000 metric tons of lithium from Arkansas, underscoring SK On’s strategic moves to secure essential materials for EV battery production.
A Partnership to Watch
The collaboration between SK On and Sakuu heralds exciting prospects for advances in battery manufacturing technology. By combining SK On’s manufacturing prowess and Sakuu’s groundbreaking 3D printing capabilities, the potential for innovation in cost reduction, efficiency, and sustainability is immense. This partnership is certainly one to monitor as it holds promise to yield transformative developments in the EV battery sector.
Related Reading
For further insights, read about SK On’s agreement with ExxonMobil: "EV battery maker SK On to buy 100k metric tons of Arkansas lithium from ExxonMobil".
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7 Comments
Wow, this is absolutely exciting! Finally some innovation in the battery industry. Go SK On and Sakuu!
Oh great, another overhyped partnership. I’ll believe it when I see results. Too many promises, not enough action!
3D printing for batteries? Interesting, but i need to see more data on the scalability. Can they really deliver?
Valid point! The technology is promising but unproven on a large scale.
Right!? They always make it sound easy, but implementation is the real challenge.
Fantastic news for the EV industry! Lower costs and better recyclablility? I’m all in!
Sure, because we definitely need another MOU… Just print the batteries already!