HAIMK breaks ground on its state-of-the-art aluminium parts facility for EV

HAIMK, a subsidiary of LS Materials, has commenced the construction of an aluminium parts plant dedicated to electric vehicles in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. As per LS Materials, the facility is set to initiate mass production of battery cases by the first quarter of next year, boasting an annual capacity sufficient for 300,000 EVs.

These battery cases are crafted from high-strength aluminium, offering robust protection against external impacts without additional steel materials. LS Materials has announced that HAIMK, a joint venture between LS Materials and Austria's Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI), will invest 75 billion won to construct a 16,305-square-meter facility within the Gumi National Industrial Complex.

"Our products will be the only kind in Korea that meet automakers' quality standards. We expect to generate over 200 billion won ($144 million) in revenue in 2027," said Hong Young-Ho, CEO of LS Materials.

Established in 2023, HAIMK combines the expertise of LS Materials and HAI, a renowned global leader in aluminium parts for electric vehicles (EVs). HAI supplies components to prestigious European EV manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The statement from LS Materials highlights the increasing prominence of aluminium parts within the EV industry as automakers strive to reduce the weight of electric vehicles. LS Materials aims to spearhead this market trend by expanding the application of aluminium parts in EVs, starting with battery cases. This move positions the company to lead in the evolving landscape of EV components.