LG Chem Company, the chemicals and battery materials unit of South Korea’s LG Group, revealed it has developed a new technology that significantly improves the performance and safety of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), according to local reports. The breakthrough is expected to accelerate the group’s efforts to commercialize the next-generation ASSBs.

LG Chem said it has developed a new technology, in collaboration with Hanyang University, that precisely controls the particle size of solid electrolytes, helping ASSBs achieve higher energy density while reducing the risk of fire compared with conventional lithium-ion cells.

The technology is said to have overcome a key problem with solid-state electrolytes, namely inconsistent particle sizes that can create microscopic gaps inside the battery cell, degrading performance. LG Chem has developed a spay-recrystallization process for use in the manufacturing stage of solid electrolytes. The spray disperses the electrolyte solution into fine droplets, resulting in uniform, spherical particles once the solvent has evaporated.

The uniform particles allow the electrolyte to form tighter contact with cathode active materials, enabling smoother lithium-ion flow. Tests have shown that the new process improves the base capacity of ASSBs by 15% and high-rate discharge capacity by 50%, compared with conventional electrolytes, providing a significant performance improvement in devices and systems that require rapid high-power delivery.

LG Chem said the breakthrough will help its battery manufacturing affiliate, LG Energy Solution, accelerate the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries. It currently plans to begin mass production of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries by 2030.

LG Chem’s CEO, Shin Hak-cheol, said the research represents “a major milestone in tackling one of the key hurdles in all-solid-state battery commercialization. LG Chem will continue strengthening its next-generation battery technology capabilities to lead the global market.”