Umicore extends production line at Cheonan (South Korea)
On 12 May, Umicore Chief Executive Officer Marc Grynberg inaugurated a new production line at Umicore’s facility in Cheonan (South-Korea) as part of the Group’s capacity and capability expansion programme for cathode materials used in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
The inauguration was part of a Belgian trade mission to South-Korea led by Belgian Crown Prince Philippe.
The expansion programme – along with a parallel project in Jiangmen (China) - will provide the production platforms for next generation battery materials and their precursors (lithium cobaltite as well as new low-cobalt containing compounds). These compounds will serve customers who are present in the new, high-growth applications for lithium-ion batteries such as cordless power tools and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). “The installations which we are opening today involve more than just growing the size of our operations. The investments we have made will enhance our ability to serve our Korean customers with the most innovative materials for the next generations of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. More than ever we are convinced that new battery technologies will be required not only to improve the quality of day-to-day life for individuals around the globe but also to help address some of the environmental challenges facing the world today,” Marc Grynberg said.
