LG Chem has announced plans to become the first South Korean company to mass-produce cathode materials without precursors, a move expected to shorten development times and lower the carbon footprint of battery production.
The company’s LPF (LG Precursor Free) cathode materials are produced through direct calcination of customized metals, eliminating the need for precursor manufacturing.
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LG Chem claims this approach improves power performance at low temperatures while reducing wastewater and CO2 emissions, though specific environmental benefits were not disclosed.
Production of LPF materials is set to begin in the first half of the year, with LG Chem aiming to expand the technology across various battery products to offer enhanced performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
The company showcased its LPF technology at InterBattery 2025 in Seoul, along with ultra-high nickel cathodes (over 95% nickel), medium nickel materials, high-density lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and LFP mixed with nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM).
“We will actively target the future market with next-generation innovative materials such as LPF cathode materials and safety solutions,” said LG Chem CEO Shin Hak-Cheol. “We will lead the battery materials market with our continuous technological innovations and customer-focused solutions.”
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LG Chem spun off its battery division as LG Energy Solution (LGES) in 2020 but remains a key player in cathode material production, positioning itself at the forefront of advanced battery technology.
