LG Energy Solution begins production of LMR prismatic batteries at its Tennessee plant in the U.S.… Target completion in 2028

Tennessee plant in the U.S. to be renovated by 2028... Diversification of production such as LFP and LMR

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Tae-woo = LG Energy Solutions [373220] will begin producing next-generation lithium manganese rich (LMR) prismatic batteries through Ultium Cells, a battery joint venture with General Motors (GM) of the United States.

According to the industry on the 30th, Ultium Cells announced on the 29th (local time) that it would build a new LMR prismatic battery production system at its plant in Tennessee, USA.

Ultium Cells plans to begin upgrading its production system, including factory renovation, at the end of this year and complete the work by 2028. The goal is to mass produce the world's first LMR square battery cells in the future.

LMR batteries are next-generation batteries that can achieve high energy density while lowering the cost burden by increasing the proportion of manganese, which has relatively abundant reserves, and reducing the use of expensive cobalt.

In particular, the LMR prismatic battery to be produced this time is expected to be able to achieve about 33% higher energy density at a similar cost to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

The Tennessee plant also began producing LFP battery cells for customers of Vertech, an energy storage system (ESS) system integration (SI) subsidiary of LG Energy Solutions, in June.

If the LMR production system is established in the future, it will be reborn as a complex production base encompassing various chemistries such as high nickel, LFP, and LMR, and multiple form factors such as pouch type and square shape.

This announcement is meaningful in that LG Energy Solutions' plan to commercialize LMR batteries, which it has been developing as a next-generation product line, has become more concrete.

Since securing its first LMR-related patent in 2010, LG Energy Solution has continued to develop technology by applying for more than 300 patents until the first half of this year.

After signing a contract with GM to jointly develop prismatic batteries and core materials in December 2024, the company announced plans to jointly commercialize LMR prismatic batteries in May last year.

“Establishing an LMR prismatic battery production system at Ultium Cells’ Tennessee plant is a key step in providing battery technology suited to customer needs and strengthening our leadership in U.S. battery manufacturing and innovation,” said Kurt Kelty, GM vice president of batteries and sustainability.

Ultium Cells CEO Park In-jae said, “We will solidify our position as a technology leader in the U.S. battery cell industry by upgrading our production system in line with changes in market demand.”