Korea’s LGES mulls action to protect EV battery patents

South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution (LGES) is threatening action against "patent free riders" in the global battery industry, as it seeks to protect its strong position in the EV battery sector.

LGES, the second-biggest EV battery producer by sales volume, said on 24 April that 580 of its more than 1,000 "highly strategic" patents are likely being infringed by competitors.

"Major multinational manufacturers of end-products containing these infringing batteries appear to be overlooking their suppliers' non-compliance with patent rights," said the firm.

"Such widespread disregard within the industry has led to severe market distortions, now demanding industry leaders like LG Energy Solution to take action and adopt stronger countermeasures," it added.

The firm has previously filed lawsuits against its competitors with authorities such as the US International Trade Commission and German courts among others, it said. It is now considering its options, which include issuing warning notices or filing patent infringement lawsuits.

LGES did not name the manufacturers, but said some battery manufacturers providing batteries to automakers marketing electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe may have violated "more than 30" of its patents, across major components and manufacturing technologies, including its cathode materials. The firm is currently analysing this further, it added.

LGES came in second in global EV battery sales volumes last year, behind major Chinese battery maker CATL, according to South Korean market intelligence firm SNE Research. LGES' battery sales revenue reached $21.52bn in 2023, around half of CATL's $40.2bn. The firm shipped 129GWh of batteries last year, behind CATL's 308GWh and China's largest automaker BYD's 135GWh.

Top battery makers have high dominance in the battery market and the current landscape will be difficult to change for a while, said SNE Research.

By Joseph Ho