Avaco wins copper foil slitter order from Iljin

Avaco has succeeded in winning an order for copper foil slitters from Iljin Materials, TheElec has learned.

The deal is a big win for Avaco, which has been aiming to expand in the battery production equipment sector since 2020. Prior to the expansion, the company had mostly manufactured display production equipment.

It is now also a supplier of logistics equipment to Ultium Cells, the joint venture between LG Energy Solution and General Motors.

Slitters are used to cut copper foils that are rolled up. Avaco’s used by Iljin will be used at the latter’s factory in Malaysia.

The equipment requires the metal blades to be replaced after a certain period so Avaco will likely continue to service Iljin going forward.

Copper foils are used to make the positive and negative tabs of batteries.

Avaco is also aiming to supply LG Energy Solution with roll pressers for the electrode process during battery production.

Avaco is expected to expand into other equipment used in the production and processing of copper foil, which will make it compete with PNT, the leader in the sector in South Korea.

More South Korean companies are increasing their spending to expand their copper foil production.

SK Nexilis is aiming to increase its annual production capacity to 250,000 metric tonnes by 2025. Iljin is also aiming for a capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes per year by 2025.