SK On and Sakuu have just announced a new partnership in which they plan to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles using 3D printing technologies. Together, they aim to industrialize the production of these next-generation batteries.
Technologies related to electric vehicles are advancing rapidly. Better range, improved recharge power, lower drag coefficient (Cx), and more. A new milestone may be reached in a few years with 3D-printed batteries for electric vehicles. This is the focus of a new partnership between SK On and Sakuu.
The South Korean giant and the California startup want to collaborate to industrialize the production of 3D-printed batteries. Sakuu is well-versed in the subject. The San Jose-based company has mastered 3D printing and has even successfully printed functional batteries, in custom shapes and sizes, for electric vehicles.
Reducing Production Costs
If SK On is interested in this technology, it’s not by chance. In fact, 3D printing batteries on a large scale could halve their production costs. The California startup also claims that batteries commercialized through this new manufacturing process will “last longer” than others.
They could also be “easier to recycle” than the lithium-ion batteries currently being developed. This could promote the establishment of a circular economy. As the 5th largest battery manufacturer in the world, SK On intends to use this technology to differentiate itself and attract new automakers.
Already present in the United States with two factories in Georgia, the South Korean giant plans to expand its presence through joint ventures with Ford and Hyundai. The company has just signed an agreement with ExxonMobil to increase its lithium supplies. In total, SK On will receive 100,000 tons of lithium from Arkansas.