EcoPro Innovation and Hydro-Quebec Partner on Lithium Metal Cathode Development
EcoPro Innovation has signed a joint development agreement with Canadian power company Hydro-Quebec to advance next-generation lithium metal cathode technology. The agreement marks a significant expansion for EcoPro Innovation, moving beyond lithium processing into cathode material development and strengthening its position in the all-solid-state battery market.
The signing ceremony took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Seoul, attended by key figures from both companies, including EcoPro Innovation CEO Yoon-tae Kim, Hydro-Quebec Research Director Pierre-Luc Maksil, Quebec Government Representative Damien Ferrera, and Canadian Embassy Representative John Zimmerman.
Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on lithium metal cathode research, leveraging EcoPro Innovation’s lithium processing expertise and Hydro-Quebec’s extensive research in cathode technology. The initiative aims to accelerate the commercialization of lithium metal cathodes, which offer significantly higher energy density than graphite cathodes and could extend the driving range of electric vehicles. However, challenges related to cost and lifespan have hindered widespread adoption.
To address these challenges, the partners plan to establish a pilot facility for lithium metal cathode production by 2026, followed by a semi-mass production pilot facility.
EcoPro Innovation currently produces high-purity lithium hydroxide, supplying major battery cell manufacturers, including Samsung SDI. Since 2022, the company has delivered 32,000 tons of lithium hydroxide, with an annual production capacity of 26,000 tons.
Hydro-Quebec, a state-owned power company, has led research in lithium metal cathodes and all-solid-state batteries since the 1980s. It played a crucial role in developing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials in collaboration with Nobel Prize-winning chemist John Goodenough.
“The combination of our pioneering lithium metal technology and EcoPro Innovation's commercialization expertise will accelerate the development of next-generation lithium metal cathodes,” said Pierre-Luc Maksil, General Manager at Hydro-Quebec.
EcoPro Innovation CEO Yoon-tae Kim added, “This agreement allows us to expand our business beyond lithium processing and position ourselves at the forefront of all-solid-state battery innovation.”
