- SK Innovation is investing KRW 840.2 billion in the Komárom factory until 2022.
- Mass production of third-gen EV batteries starts in early 2020.
- The factory's production capacity will reach 7.5 GWh per year.
- The batteries will use an NCM ratio of 8:1:1.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
On March 8th, 2018, SK Innovation held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new electric vehicle (EV) battery factory, SK Battery Hungary, in Komárom, Hungary. The event was attended by around 300 representatives, including Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjártó Péter, Ambassador Choi Kyoo-sik of the Republic of Korea to Hungary, Vice Chairman Chey Jae-won of SK Group, and CEO Kim Jun of SK Innovation.
Investment and Construction
SK Innovation has secured a 430,000 m2 site in Komárom and plans to invest a total of KRW 840.2 billion in the factory until 2022. Construction began in February 2018, and the factory is located approximately 110 km northwest of Budapest.
Production and Capacity
The factory will produce third-generation EV batteries, which provide a 500 km range on a single charge. Mass production is expected to start in early 2020, and once all production lines are installed, the factory's capacity will reach 7.5 GWh per year. The batteries will feature an NCM (nickel:cobalt:manganese) ratio of 8:1:1.
Strategic Importance
SK Battery Hungary is anticipated to serve as a crucial bridgehead for SK Innovation's expansion into the European market. The company is currently producing pouch-type batteries for EVs at its Seosan factory in Korea, which has an annual production capacity of 3.9 GWh.
