A South Korean plastic films maker, Youlchon Chemical Co., on September 28 signed a document confirming the supply of a primary battery component utilised heavily in electric vehicles. The US$1.04 billion supply deal was successfully drawn for the upcoming six years with the joint venture formed by U.S. General Motors Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd, two of the most well-known brands in the modern world.

Ultium Cells LLC, the LG and General Motors JV would accept highly-malleable aluminium pouch films used in lithium-ion battery pack casings from South-Korean Youlchon. The latter will provide the former with aluminium pouch films for the better part of 2023 all the way to 2028, as was reported by the company in a regulatory filing.

This agreement is the first where a South Korean battery maker has been properly recognised as a domestic retail supplier. In the long run, this will take the load off the Japanese pouch film producers on whom the Korean battery makers rely for stability.

Aluminium pouch film is a variation of coating material that secures the critical components inside a lithium-ion battery, usually comprised of separators, electrolytes, cathodes and anodes. Since aluminium seldom reacts with any other element, this acts as a shield inside the battery cell.

These highly-bendable aluminium pouch films are 20 per cent thicker than the conventional product. Alternative use of aluminium helps in the complete moulding of the material as to whatever size or shape is desired by the company, without forming any cracks. These properties together help make a battery extremely durable.

Once Youlchon was only committed to manufacturing standard battery pouch films. Recently, it has shifted toward high-formability pouch film making for EV batteries, with continuous support and guidance from LG Energy Solution, as the sources tell.

With the advent of electric vehicles, more and more electronics and car-making organisations are transforming their ways. With big players like LG and General Motors, it is obvious that this South Korean portfolio of aluminium pouch films will be made famous in a while.