SK IE Technology announced on the 10th that it has begun supplying separator materials for new projects in North America starting this month.
SK IE Technology plans to supply separator materials equivalent to a maximum of 300,000 electric vehicles by next year. However, due to contract terms, details such as the names of clients and specific contract amounts will not be disclosed.
SK IE Technology expects that the supply of separators will significantly increase after the electric vehicle chasm eases next year. Additionally, the high tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration on China have prompted global clients to source non-Chinese materials, which is viewed as a positive factor.
According to SNE Research, an energy market research firm, the market share of Chinese products in the battery separator market was 88.8% in the fourth quarter of last year. If the trade conflict between the U.S. and China continues, the market share of countries, excluding China, is expected to rise.
SK IE Technology signed a long-term supply contract for prismatic lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery separators worth 291.4 billion won with a global client last February. The company also noted in a recent conference call that discussions for new orders aimed at establishing long-term supply contracts are underway.
A representative from SK IE Technology said, "The customer diversification strategy that has been pursued, centered around North America, is yielding results," and added, "With the increase in factory utilization rate, significant improvements in profit and loss are expected."