South Korean battery maker SK Innovation is looking to diversify its battery notching equipment suppliers in a move that reflects its long-term plans to stabilize the production lines it is building in China, Hungary and the US, according to industry sources on Nov. 27.
South Korea’s Mplus is one supplier SK Innovation is talking with, as the company has already supplied battery tab welding and packaging equipment to Seosan. This would help improve the yield rate, after which the SK unit can apply the same kind of technology and methods to its overseas plans, according to the sources.
This strategy comes after watching local rival LG Chem have a tough time improving the yield rate at its Polish plant.
Mplus had been responsible for supplying battery tab welding and packaging equipment to its Seosan facility. It has also supplied equipment to EVE Energy, which is SK Innovation’s joint battery venture in China.
Once it gets into notching, Mplus also may be able to supply stacking equipment as well to widen its influence on the overall manufacturing process. Mplus is now estimated to supply machinery worth up to KRW 10 billion from the current 7 billion.
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