Quick Takeaways
- South Korea advances EV battery self-reliance as Innox Lithium starts lithium hydroxide trial production in Cheongju.
- The project underpins high-nickel EV cathode supply with scalable domestic processing capacity.
On October 30, lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea reached a new milestone as Innox Lithium Co., Ltd. initiated pilot operations at its facility in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. This development strengthens the country’s position in the EV battery materials supply chain and reflects rising regional investments in high-purity lithium compounds.
The lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea is being carried out on Innox Lithium’s first-phase production line, which has an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes. At full utilization, this output can support battery manufacturing for nearly 400,000 electric vehicles, underlining the strategic importance of domestic lithium processing for EV ecosystem resilience.
Lithium Hydroxide Trial Production in South Korea Scales Capacity
The Cheongju facility has been engineered with flexibility at its core, allowing the addition of new lithium hydroxide lines as demand grows. It can also be reconfigured to manufacture lithium carbonate, offering Innox Lithium the ability to adapt to shifting battery chemistry requirements across global markets.
Key capacity highlights include:
Customer Validation Roadmap for Lithium Hydroxide Output
Following the start of lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea, Innox Lithium plans to distribute product samples to customers in January 2026. These samples will undergo qualification processes, with customer approvals targeted for completion within the first half of the year.
The phased approach includes:
1.Trial production and quality stabilization
2.Customer sampling and technical validation
3.Commercial approvals during H1 2026
4.Transition to mass production in H2 2026
Strategic Importance for EV Battery Supply Chains
Lithium hydroxide is a critical input for high-nickel cathode chemistries commonly used in long-range electric vehicles. By localizing production, Innox Lithium reduces dependency on overseas refining, shortens supply chains, and enhances material security for battery manufacturers operating in South Korea and neighboring regions.
As EV adoption accelerates, lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea positions the country as a more self-reliant hub for advanced battery materials. With mass production planned for the latter half of 2026, the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to regional EV manufacturing competitiveness and long-term supply stability.
The lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea is being carried out on Innox Lithium’s first-phase production line, which has an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes. At full utilization, this output can support battery manufacturing for nearly 400,000 electric vehicles, underlining the strategic importance of domestic lithium processing for EV ecosystem resilience.
Lithium Hydroxide Trial Production in South Korea Scales Capacity
The Cheongju facility has been engineered with flexibility at its core, allowing the addition of new lithium hydroxide lines as demand grows. It can also be reconfigured to manufacture lithium carbonate, offering Innox Lithium the ability to adapt to shifting battery chemistry requirements across global markets.
Key capacity highlights include:
- Annual output capability of 20,000 tonnes
- EV battery material supply potential for around 0.4 million vehicles
- Infrastructure readiness for capacity expansion or product conversion
Customer Validation Roadmap for Lithium Hydroxide Output
Following the start of lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea, Innox Lithium plans to distribute product samples to customers in January 2026. These samples will undergo qualification processes, with customer approvals targeted for completion within the first half of the year.
The phased approach includes:
1.Trial production and quality stabilization
2.Customer sampling and technical validation
3.Commercial approvals during H1 2026
4.Transition to mass production in H2 2026
Strategic Importance for EV Battery Supply Chains
Lithium hydroxide is a critical input for high-nickel cathode chemistries commonly used in long-range electric vehicles. By localizing production, Innox Lithium reduces dependency on overseas refining, shortens supply chains, and enhances material security for battery manufacturers operating in South Korea and neighboring regions.
As EV adoption accelerates, lithium hydroxide trial production in South Korea positions the country as a more self-reliant hub for advanced battery materials. With mass production planned for the latter half of 2026, the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to regional EV manufacturing competitiveness and long-term supply stability.
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