SK On’s Ethical Innovation | Cobalt-Free Battery Wins Bronze at 2024 Edison Awards

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Source: SK Innovation/news/April 22, 2024

SK On’s Cobalt-free battery, honored with a Bronze award in the Smart Transportation category at the 2024 Edison Awards, signifies a remarkable stride in EV battery technology.

By conquering challenges in cobalt-free cathode compositions, SK On demonstrates both technological prowess and a commitment to sustainable innovation.

SK On, a leading global electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, announced its Cobalt-free battery has won a Bronze award in the Smart Transportation category at the prestigious 2024 Edison Awards on April 18th.

The Bronze award marks the second consecutive year of recognition for SK On at the Edison Awards. In 2023, SK On´s NCM9 battery made history by winning the Bronze award, making SK On the first global battery manufacturer to receive such an honor.

Here, the latest honor not only shows SK On´s technological prowess but also underscores the company’s commitment to ethical innovation and sustainable progress in the green energy sector.

SK On´s Cobalt-free battery is considered a breakthrough in EV battery technologies, overcoming technological barriers in cobalt-free cathode material compositions.

Removing cobalt from traditional NCM cathode material compositions can limit a battery´s lifespan due to structural instability. SK On ironed out this challenge of lifespan deterioration by leveraging its proprietary technologies, specifically focused on single-crystal cathodes and doping.

By addressing this crucial hurdle, the company is contributing to the promotion of cleaner and more environmentally friendly forms of energy storage and transportation.

Cobalt, renowned for its high cost and ethical concerns surrounding its extraction, has prompted SK On to pursue alternatives. In a bid to reduce reliance on this resource and uphold ethical and environmentally responsible practices, the company embarked on developing a cobalt-free battery. Surpassing expectations, SK On achieved this milestone more than a year ahead of schedule, marking a significant advancement in sustainable battery technology.

“We are pleased to receive a Bronze award at the prestigious Edison Awards 2024 for our Cobalt-free battery,”

“This achievement underscores our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation while prioritizing environmental sustainability. SK On will continue developing battery technologies that foster positive environmental and societal impacts.”

Kim Sang-jin, Head of Platform Research at SK On

Founded in 1987, the Edison Awards is one of the most prestigious accolades recognizing excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. The award was named in honor of the legendary inventor Thomas Edison.

While, this recognition at the Edison Awards, SK On reaffirms its position as a leader in green energy solutions, promising continued advancements towards a more sustainable future for transportation and energy storage.