SK On and Ford to use Chinese equipment maker for US factories

The battery-making joint venture between SK On and Ford is expected to use equipment supplied by a Chinese company for their factory in the US, TheElec has learned.

It seemed unlikely that Zhejiang Hangke would win an order from BlueOval SK initially due to the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

But Hangke is expected to supply PPC and formation equipment to be used at BlueOval SK’s factories in Kentucky and Tennessee that are being currently built, sources said.

The Chinese company won supply deals for back-end equipment from SK On last year.

Hangke had supplied kits used in Hungary and China to the South Korean battery maker.

The company also benefited from offering power price than South Korean rivals Kapjin and Wonik PNE for these past deals, the sources said.

For the equipment to be used in Kentucky, Hangke is expected to deliver its equipment to the US through another country that has a Free Trade Agreement with the US.

Meanwhile, South Korean equipment makers Yunsung F&C, PNT, and Innometry have all announced through Thursday and Friday that they have won orders from BlueOval SK.

Yunsung manufactures mixing equipment for slurry; PNT provides electrode equipment; and Innometry supplies X-ray equipment used in inspection.

Xavis has also announced that it has won a deal to supply inspection equipment. Toptec will be providing packaging and welding equipment in a deal worth 282.1 billion won.