EcoPro BM has started converting its Hungary plant to produce high-nickel cathode materials for electric vehicles in Europe, as the battery materials maker seeks to expand its presence with global automakers. The company said Monday that it is modifying an existing nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) production line at the facility so it can also make nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) materials. Shipments to European customers are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The conversion is expected to cost about 40 billion won, or roughly $29 million, according to the company. EcoPro BM said it began investing in the plant conversion after outlining its European business plans at an investor briefing held Friday at NH Investment & Securities’ headquarters in Seoul. The materials maker said the upgraded facility will supply high-nickel cathode materials to a German premium automaker.
The Debrecen plant began commercial operations in the first half of this year and currently operates NCA lines. It has an annual production capacity of 54,000 tons. EcoPro BM is now ordering equipment and preparing shipments as it transforms the site into a mixed NCA-NCM production line.
The broader EcoPro group has also built a production complex in Debrecen that includes EcoPro BM’s cathode-material plant, EcoPro Innovation’s lithium-processing facility and EcoPro AP’s industrial-gas plant. EcoPro BM said its three production lines in Hungary have a combined annual capacity of 54,000 tons, which it said is enough to supply batteries for about 600,000 EVs. EcoPro Innovation’s lithium hydroxide facility can process 8,000 tons a year.
The Hungary operation began full-scale production in June and is preparing to launch its second line in September. EcoPro BM expects output of about 10,000 tons this year and 30,000 tons next year. The company said higher volumes, improved production-line stability, better operating performance and lower costs are expected to support quarterly profitability in the second half of this year.
EcoPro BM is also seeking nickel supply through the group’s BNSI smelter project in Indonesia, which it says could improve supply stability and cost competitiveness as European automakers increasingly look for regional sourcing. The company said the Hungary operation is expected to enter a full-fledged profitability phase in the fourth quarter while it strengthens partnerships with European automakers.
Source: The Korea Times
