How SEBANG Lithium Battery Ensures Long-term Growth

As part of efforts to reinforce onshoring of manufacturing in the U.S., the Trump administration implemented new tariffs. These policies are forcing companies to redesign their supply chains and potentially partner with countries that offer more favorable trade terms. How favorable is the current moment for Korean SMEs to expand internationally, and what challenges and opportunities do you see in doing so?

Many businesses and governments have felt the impact of the tariffs imposed under President Trump. However, I believe the onshoring trend in the United States had already been underway, the scale and execution simply changed. Whether this shift presents advantages or penalties differs from company to company. That said, the core idea of onshoring was not unexpected.

In April, a 25% tariff was imposed on Korean goods, which significantly affected many companies, particularly SMEs like ours, by increasing export-related challenges. Despite these headwinds, we see a silver lining. Numerous U.S. companies that had been working with Chinese partners are now seeking alternatives. Korean companies, renowned for their quality and reliability, are increasingly seen as viable partners. This shift presents a significant opportunity for us to expand our presence in the global market.

The long-term transition to EVs has seen slower growth than expected over the past couple of years. Reviving this transition will depend on reducing battery costs and turning the technology into a commodity. What technological factors will define the companies that succeed by 2030?

For the EV market to really take off, we need to see improvements in three critical areas: cost, safety, and charging infrastructure. Among those, cost is the biggest hurdle largely because the battery system accounts for the biggest share of an EV’s total price. Right now, companies are locked in fierce competition to drive those battery costs down.

In the end, I believe the market will be led by companies that can deliver both solid safety and strong cost competitiveness.

At this stage, many companies are pouring resources into developing new types of battery cells and more advanced packing technologies. But to be honest, it's still anyone's game: it’s hard to predict which company or which solution will ultimately take the lead.

At Sebang Lithium Battery, we’re investing heavily in developing battery solutions tailored for electrified vehicles. While we don’t produce the cells ourselves, we specialize in turning them into advanced, high-performance battery packs and systems. We’re constantly working to improve both safety and cost efficiency, because in a fast-moving market like this, that’s what really sets a company apart.

Over the past two decades, BYD has made significant strides, transitioning from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries and becoming a major player in EV infrastructure. Sebang Group is taking a similar path by establishing Sebang Lithium Battery as a packaging system provider. What ambitions do you have for Sebang Lithium Battery, and what strategies will you implement to achieve them?

HEV Battery System Assembly

Sebang Group has seen steady growth over the years through its lead-acid battery business. But as the market began shifting toward lithium-ion technology, we expanded into this area to ensure long-term sustainability.

Sebang Lithium Battery (SLB) was set up in 2015, and we kicked off full-scale production in 2022. So we're now in our third to fourth year of mass production.

Our main product, 12V lithium battery module, was first developed and applied in vehicles from Hyundai and Kia. Today, SLB holds the top market share in supplying these modules to them, and we see strong growth potential for these solutions in global markets.

We’ve also completed the development of a 12V main lithium battery module, designed to replace conventional lead-acid batteries. This is a key step that gives us real edge as we expand into overseas markets.

One of our main areas of focus is the EV and HEV battery systems segment. Although we entered the market a bit later, we’ve already secured all the essentials for success: cost competitiveness, high product quality, supply chain stability, and most importantly, our proprietary “No Propagation” technology that prevents thermal runaway between cells. These strengths give us a solid foundation for rapid growth.

Sebang Lithium Battery, known for its strength in battery modules for auxiliary systems, supplies products widely used by Hyundai and Kia in parking control systems. What features led Hyundai and Kia to choose your product for these applications?

Our journey with lithium battery modules began with a module developed to power built-in dash cams.

But as vehicles evolved into software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the demand for stable power during parking grew. That’s when we introduced a second-generation battery module designed to support additional energy needs when a vehicle parked.

It intelligently charges and discharges based on vehicle status, delivers stable power to dash cams during parking and supports essential functions like remote diagnostics and OTA (over-the-air) updates.

In modern vehicles, auxiliary batteries are no longer just optional. They’ve become essential not only for convenience features but also for critical safety functions.

For example, in the event of a main power failure, our second-generation module supplies backup power to ensure that key safety systems, so that vital functions like door unlocking or airbag deployment can still operate.

What started as a basic function has evolved into a far more advanced and robust auxiliary battery system. We've refined our solutions to meet customer needs, integrating advanced monitoring features and improving reliability across the board. I believe this continuous innovation and commitment to quality is what led Hyundai and Kia to choose our products.

You mentioned earlier that you’ve completed development of a 12V main lithium battery module. This suggests a shift from auxiliary batteries to a main starting battery that also supports auxiliary functions, enabling new system capabilities. What functions will these new developments support?

12V Lithium Battery Module - third generation

Most vehicles today use a lead-acid starter battery, along with a separate auxiliary battery for backup functions such as safety features, remote diagnostics.

Our third-generation battery module integrates all these functions into a single, more advanced system. It not only supports wider range of functions and power demands but also takes on the role of the conventional lead-acid starter battery.

We're currently developing both 12V and 48V versions of our main lithium battery module. The 12V model is designed to directly replace conventional lead-acid starter batteries, while the 48V version targets integration with next-generation vehicle architectures. By pursuing both tracks simultaneously, we're positioning ourselves to deliver battery solutions that meet global standards for future mobility.

To support these advancements, you plan to open a new manufacturing plant in the U.S. and possibly in Europe. What is the expected timeline, and what are your goals for these new facilities?

We expect our new production facilities to come online within the next two to three years. While the exact timeline may shift depending on order volumes from global automakers and the pace of collaboration with major Korean cell makers, we believe it is essential to launch local production within that window. By establishing a regional supply chain, we aim to reinforce our partnerships with global customers through faster deliveries and closer operational support.

If we were to interview you again in three years, what accomplishments would you like to share at that time?

Over the next three years, we’ll continue strengthening our partnership with Hyundai and Kia, while also focusing on expanding our presence in global markets.

By then, we expect both our LVS (Low Voltage System) and HVS (High Voltage System) businesses to be well on track. We anticipate entering mass production of hybrid battery systems and actively expanding into the EV sector, powered by strategic partnerships and our leadership in battery technology.

I look forward to the day we meet again, when I can share an even greater vision and the next bold chapter in Sebang Lithium Battery’s journey.