Korean battery maker SK On is reportedly working to develop a large cylindrical 4680 battery.
The Korea Economic Daily reported that if successful, SK On will become Korea’s first battery company to make all three kinds of batteries, including pouch and prismatic. The company has been asked for comment.
It would be the world’s second company to do so, after China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL), it said. SK On is a subsidiary of SK Innovation.
The report said SK On mass produces only pouch-type batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and other electric devices. But it is in the final stage of developing a prismatic-type battery. It said according to industry sources, company executives are working out production and sales for cylindrical batteries.
The cylindrical battery is emerging as an industry favourite. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are said to be in the advanced stages of developing 4680 cylindrical batteries, the report noted. Samsung has already produced samples and is expanding production to supply US EV maker Tesla and others.
The report said a SK On pilot production will be established in the second half of 2026, but SK will start marketing soon.
Korean research body SNE Research reported the global 4680 cylindrical battery market is forecast to grow to 650GWh by 2030, from 10GWh in 2023, said KED. The battery type is expected to make up 21% of the entire battery market by 2030, up from from 1.5% in 2023.
Photo: SK On’s high-molecular composite all-solid-state battery unveiled at InterBattery 2023. It is now reported to be developing a large cylindrical 4680 battery.
