In response to a supply shortage of cobalt, a key ingredient used in lithium-ion batteries, South Korean battery makers Samsung SDI and LG Chem are stepping up development of new batteries and diversifying their material suppliers. Current lithium-ion batteries are comprised of cathode material, anode material, electrolytes and separators. The cathode material includes nickel, cobalt and manganese, whose proportion is currently at a 6:2:2 ratio. Alongside the development of new batteries, the battery makers are also diversifying their cathode material suppliers. Currently, both Samsung and LG are provided with cobalt from several cathode material providers, including local firm Ecopro and Belgian firm Umicore.

Source: The China Post July 26, 2017 08:48 UTC