South Korea Launches Polymer-Based Solid-State Battery Project, Three Major Projects Collaborate to Facilitate Technological Breakthroughs [SMM Analysis]

Launch of Polymer-Based Solid-State Battery Project

On May 19, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea announced the launch of a key research project dedicated to the development of polymer-based solid-state battery technology. This project brings together the top forces from South Korea's scientific research and industrial sectors, including Amo Greentech, Chungnam National University, and the Korea Photonics Technology Institute. The project aims to develop lightweight, high-energy-density, and safe solid-state batteries for the rapidly growing market of small IT and wearable devices, meeting the needs of devices such as smartwatches, VR headsets, wireless earbuds, and smart rings.

Clear Objectives: Supporting the Miniaturization Market and Driving Wearable Device Development

With technological advancements, the market for small IT and wearable devices has expanded rapidly. However, the limitations of existing battery technologies in terms of weight, safety, and energy density have become bottlenecks restricting the development of these devices. The polymer-based solid-state battery project is designed to address this bottleneck. It is planned to run from 2025 to 2028, with a total investment of 35.8 billion South Korean won (KRW), including 25 billion KRW from the government and 10.8 billion KRW from the private sector.

The project aims to develop lightweight, high-energy-density, safe, and flexible solid-state batteries to meet the special needs of small wearable devices. The South Korean government hopes to accelerate the popularization of wearable devices through this project, making them lighter, safer, and completely eliminating fire hazards, thus providing users with a safer and more reliable experience.

Multiple Projects Collaborating to Build a Solid-State Battery Technology Matrix

In addition to the polymer-based solid-state battery project, South Korea is also advancing two other state-funded solid-state battery projects, constructing a comprehensive solid-state battery development matrix.

Ultra-Small Laminated Ceramic Solid-State Battery Project (Oxide-Based) This project, launched in 2023 and planned to run until 2026, has a total investment of 29.4 billion KRW, including 21.2 billion KRW from the government and 8.2 billion KRW from the private sector. The goal is to develop low-power, high-safety oxide-based solid-state batteries that can be directly attached to PCB substrates as auxiliary power supplies for electronic devices, further promoting the miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices.

High-Performance Next-Generation Secondary Battery Technology Project (Sulphide-Based) This project, with an investment of 117.2 billion KRW, is jointly developed by solid-state battery enterprises and scientific research institutions. The goal is to develop sulphide-based solid-state batteries suitable for medium-to-large-scale applications and explore next-generation technologies such as lithium metal batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries. This project not only focuses on improving battery performance but also promotes eco-friendly transportation, providing strong support for EVs and energy storage systems.

Three major projects collaborated, with a total investment exceeding 180 billion won.

The total investment in these three solid-state battery development projects in South Korea amounts to 182.4 billion won (approximately 954 million yuan). By simultaneously advancing three technical routes—polymer-based, oxide-based, and sulphide-based—South Korea aims to achieve a comprehensive breakthrough in solid-state battery technology, not only meeting the demands of small wearable devices but also providing high-performance solutions for medium-to-large-scale applications.

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