LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University have secured a key technology that can significantly improve the stability of next-generation lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries.
On Sept. 7, LG Energy Solution announced the results of a joint study with Professor Jongwoo Lim and his research team in Seoul National University’s Department of Chemistry.
The findings were published in Nature Communications, a prestigious international academic journal, and support the feasibility of applying LMR batteries to large-format cells for electric vehicles (EVs).
The joint research team identified factors contributing to gas generation and capacity degradation during LMR battery charging and discharging and developed optimal operating conditions for large-format cells to control these issues.
LMR is a next-generation cathode material that can lower material costs by using lower-cost manganese as a primary material without using cobalt.
It can achieve high energy density by storing energy through both transition metals, such as nickel and manganese, and oxygen in the cathode material.
However, if oxygen oxidized during charging does not fully return to its original state during discharge, it can damage the battery’s internal structure and generate gas. In large-format cells for EVs, where available internal space is limited, this can increase internal pressure and degrade performance.
As a result, gas generation has been a key challenge in commercializing LMR batteries.
The joint research team analyzed oxygen redox under different charging and discharging conditions and found that oxygen recovery depends on both the upper cutoff voltage during charging and the discharge cutoff voltage during discharge.
In testing, lowering the upper charging voltage from 4.6 V to 4.3 V increased the reduction of oxidized oxygen from 86 percent to 97 percent.
The team also confirmed that lowering the discharge cutoff voltage from the conventional 3.0 V to 2.0 V enabled oxygen to recover to nearly its original state.
LG Energy Solution Announces Start of Production at All-New Lansing Battery Plant
LG Energy Solution, the largest battery manufacturer in North America, announced the start of production today at its all-new, 226-acre facility in Lansing, Michigan.
LG Energy Solution Michigan-Lansing manufactures large-format batteries for both energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles and will play a key role in broadening Michigan’s manufacturing base.
The plant aims to reach more than 35GWh of annual battery-making capacity at full-scale production.
The facility produces lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for ESS.
The cells are integrated by LG Energy Solution Vertech, the company’s U.S. energy storage division, into complete systems for utility, grid-scale storage, and other commercial and industrial applications.
LG Energy Solution Michigan-Lansing also will produce more energy dense nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) cells for Toyota.
These cells will power battery electric vehicles like the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, which will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown, KY, strengthening the automaker’s U.S. supply chain for its next generation vehicles.
LG Energy Solution Secures Multi-Year Supply of U.S.-Produced Lithium Carbonate from Smackover Lithium
LG Energy Solution on Aug. 30 announced it has signed a multi-year binding offtake agreement with Smackover Lithium for battery-quality lithium carbonate.
Under the contract, Smackover Lithium, a partnership between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor, an international energy company, will supply LG Energy Solution with 8,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually over a 10-year period.
As rising power demand drives growth of the energy storage systems (ESS) market in North America, it has become ever more critical for battery manufacturers to secure a stable supply of locally produced cathode materials for their ESS LFP1 batteries.
Through the contract, LG Energy Solution will secure lithium carbonate produced from the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project located in Arkansas, thereby obtaining a key cathode material that meets non-PFE2 requirements.
The company operates seven production facilities in the U.S., including three standalone sites, and most of them already have established production capacity for batteries utilizing LFP chemistry.
By combining its strong U.S. manufacturing footprint with Smackover Lithium’s lithium carbonate, the company now has secured a fully integrated local supply chain from sourcing to production.
Smackover Lithium’s lithium carbonate will also be produced using a direct lithium extraction and purification process, thereby ensuring a more sustainable supply of materials.
“We are excited to be entering into this agreement with LG Energy Solution, one of the world’s leading battery producers with a diverse and global customer base and a presence in many dynamic and growing industry segments,” said David Park, CEO of Standard Lithium.
“We expect this to be the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial partnership whereby we will provide LG Energy Solution with a long-term supply of U.S.-based and sustainably produced battery-quality lithium carbonate.”
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