Korea Zinc unit KJam begins supplying battery copper foil to global manufacturers

Korea Zinc announced Thursday that its secondary battery materials subsidiary KJam has been mass-producing copper foil for batteries and supplying it to global battery manufacturers since June.

Battery copper foil — made by rolling copper into ultra-thin sheets — serves as the negative-electrode current collector in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Because it directly affects a battery's energy density, charging performance and lifespan, customers adopt only copper foil that has passed rigorous quality certification processes.

KJam has steadily improved process stability and product quality by drawing on the smelting technology and expertise of its parent company, Korea Zinc. The successful supply is significant because it confirms KJam's ability to compete in the global battery copper foil market by meeting the strict quality standards its customers demand.

KJam expects the copper foil supply to generate sales of up to 40 billion won ($28.3 million). The company plans to stabilize production, improve yields and secure new customers to raise its operating rate and expand earnings.

The copper foil KJam supplied is expected to be incorporated into batteries manufactured in North America. The company hopes the deal will secure its place in the North American battery supply chain and allow it to expand its business in a region that ranks among the world's key markets for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Korea Zinc has continuously invested in and conducted research and development for the mass production of battery copper foil with KJam since Chairman Choi Yun-beom took office in late 2022 and incorporated secondary battery materials into the company's new business strategy, dubbed "Troika Drive" — covering renewable energy, secondary battery materials and resource recycling.

The copper foil supply also allows Korea Zinc to complete what it calls a "resource-recycling value chain." Under the model, secondary raw materials secured by Pedal Point, a US-based resource recycling subsidiary, are processed at the Onsan Smelter to produce 100 percent eco-friendly copper, which KJam then turns into copper foil for entry into the battery supply chain.

"This supply marks an important starting point for KJam's entry into the global battery supply chain, and is significant in that Korea Zinc's battery materials business is beginning to deliver tangible results," a Korea Zinc official said. "We will continue to expand our differentiated battery materials business on the strength of world-class smelting technology and resource recycling competitiveness."

Meanwhile, Korea Zinc is also actively pursuing corporate social responsibility initiatives across a range of fields, including hosting the "2026 Metalsmith of the Year Award" as part of its support for the arts and culture sector and calling for award nominations.