Industry ministry unveils K-battery roadmap to reclaim global market lead

The industry ministry on Tuesday announced a strategic roadmap to help South Korean battery makers regain global market dominance through focused support for sodium and solid-state technologies, shifting away from traditional high-nickel strategies amid slowing electric vehicle growth and intensifying competition from China.

Under the initiative, the government will establish approximately 400 billion won in research and development funding between 2027 and 2031, while private companies have pledged 8 trillion won in investments through 2030 to accelerate commercialization of cost-effective sodium batteries and high-performance solid-state units.

The roadmap targets sodium batteries capable of 160Wh/kg by 2027 and 220Wh/kg for full commercial rollout by 2030. Parallel efforts for solid-state technology aim to launch the world's first prototype in 2027, achieve 400Wh/kg performance by 2028, and begin mass commercialization by 2030.

To prevent redundant spending, the ministry will foster an ecosystem where cell manufacturers, material suppliers and finished product makers collaborate on vertical and horizontal research projects. Major industry players including LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On, Posco Future M, L&F and EcoPro BM are expected to participate in standardizing battery dimensions and sharing non-competitive material specifications.

Cost competitiveness will be bolstered by new production tax credits and measures to build a circular battery ecosystem that complies with environmental regulations in markets like the European Union.

Lee Min-woo, head of the ministry's industry growth office, said a unified approach between the public and private sectors is essential to navigate global supply chain uncertainties.

"The government will provide total support through large-scale R&D backing and institutional incentives to ensure K-batteries securely retake their leadership position in the global market," he said.