SK On
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA South Korean battery company supplying electric-vehicle and energy-storage batteries to global markets.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
SK On is a South Korean battery company headquartered in Seoul and a subsidiary of SK Innovation, which belongs to SK Group. The company was created through the separation of SK Innovation’s battery business in 2021 and began operating under the SK On name in October of that year. Its principal activities are the development and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and energy-storage systems. The company’s business is centered on supplying battery cells and related technologies to automotive manufacturers. Its portfolio is associated particularly with high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries, including nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry, although the company’s broader development program also includes next-generation battery technologies. SK On’s role in the automotive supply chain includes cell manufacturing, overseas production expansion, joint ventures, and strategic supply agreements with vehicle manufacturers and battery-material producers. SK On expanded its manufacturing footprint outside South Korea through facilities in the United States. Its battery plant in Commerce, Georgia, originated with construction initiated by SK Innovation in 2019. The site was developed in two phases and became part of SK On after the battery business was separated from SK Innovation. The Georgia operation has supplied or been associated with supply programs for Volkswagen and Hyundai. SK On also announced a new battery plant with Hyundai in Cartersville, Georgia, in 2022, reinforcing the company’s focus on localized North American production. The company’s international strategy has included partnerships and joint ventures in North America, Europe, and China. In Canada, SK On participated with Ford and EcoPro BM in a cathode-material project in Bécancour, Quebec. Construction of that project was paused at various points, illustrating the capital intensity and changing market conditions affecting the battery industry. SK On also withdrew from a proposed battery joint venture with Ford and Koç Holding in Turkey in 2023. From late 2024 into 2025, SK On’s corporate scope broadened through internal group transactions. SK Trading International and SK Enterm were merged into the company, and SK On announced plans to absorb SK Enmove, an SK Innovation affiliate focused on lubricants. These transactions connected the battery business with other SK Innovation activities, although SK On’s public identity and principal industrial focus remained associated with batteries. In 2025, the company announced or entered additional supply and ownership arrangements involving Nissan, Slate, Eve Power, and battery facilities in China. It also completed construction of an all-solid-state battery plant in Daejeon, South Korea, reflecting its interest in post-lithium-ion technologies. SK On therefore occupies a position between a specialized battery manufacturer and a broader SK Innovation operating platform. Its competitive priorities include energy density, production scale, manufacturing localization, long-term automaker contracts, material security, and the development of next-generation batteries. The company remains active but has faced restructuring and partnership changes as electric-vehicle demand, battery pricing, and manufacturing economics have evolved.
History
SK On developed from SK Innovation’s battery business rather than from an independently founded battery startup. In July 2021, SK Innovation announced the separation of its battery operations. The new company began operating under the SK On name in October 2021 and remained a subsidiary of SK Innovation within SK Group. The separation gave the battery business a dedicated corporate identity at a time when electric-vehicle adoption was increasing and automakers were seeking large-scale, geographically distributed battery suppliers. Before the spin-off, SK Innovation had already begun building an international manufacturing base. In 2019, it started construction of its first United States electric-vehicle battery facility in Commerce, Georgia. The plant occupies approximately 2.4 million square feet on a site of about 283 acres along Interstate 85, northeast of Atlanta. Development proceeded in two phases: the first was completed in 2020 and the second in late 2021. The combined investment was reported at approximately $2.6 billion. After the October 2021 separation, the facility became part of SK On and was associated with supply programs for Volkswagen and Hyundai. SK On continued expanding its North American footprint after its launch. In December 2022, it announced a new plant with Hyundai in Cartersville, Georgia. The project reflected the companies’ efforts to establish battery production close to vehicle assembly operations and to develop a regional supply chain. The company also participated with Ford and EcoPro BM in a cathode-material joint venture in Bécancour, Quebec. Construction began in August 2023, although the project was paused multiple times. In the same period, SK On withdrew from a proposed joint venture with Ford and Koç Holding in Turkey, demonstrating that its international expansion was subject to changing commercial and strategic conditions. The company’s corporate structure changed significantly from late 2024 through 2025. SK Trading International, an affiliate involved in crude oil and petroleum-products trading, merged into SK On in November 2024. SK Enterm, a commercial tank-terminal operator under SK Trading International, followed in February 2025. SK On also announced the acquisition of SK Enmove, an SK Innovation affiliate known for its lubricant business, in July 2025. These transactions broadened the legal and operating scope of SK On beyond its core battery activities and represented an internal reorganization within the SK group. During 2025, SK On added and revised several commercial and manufacturing relationships. It secured a supply contract with Nissan and was selected by Slate as a battery supplier. In China, it exchanged interests in two joint ventures with Eve Power and obtained full ownership of the Jiangsu site. In North America, SK On and Ford announced the dissolution of BlueOval SK, their battery joint venture, with SK On taking the Tennessee facility. These changes altered the company’s ownership position in key assets while preserving its participation in large-scale battery manufacturing. SK On also pursued next-generation technology. In September 2025, it completed construction of an all-solid-state battery plant in Daejeon, South Korea. Solid-state batteries are intended to replace or reduce the use of liquid electrolytes and are widely researched for potential improvements in safety, energy density, and packaging, although commercial deployment depends on technical and economic factors. The Daejeon facility represents SK On’s effort to maintain a technology pipeline beyond conventional lithium-ion cells. The company’s later operating history includes workforce restructuring. In March 2026, SK On laid off more than one-third of the workforce at its Commerce, Georgia, plant. The reported reduction occurred amid broader changes in electric-vehicle and battery manufacturing economics. Overall, SK On’s history is characterized by separation from SK Innovation, rapid international capacity development, extensive automaker and materials partnerships, internal SK-group consolidation, ownership changes in joint ventures, and investment in solid-state battery research and production.
- 2026
Commerce workforce reduction
[1]More than one-third of the workforce at SK On’s Commerce, Georgia, plant was laid off.
- 2025
Internal group mergers and new supply relationships
[1]SK Enterm merged into SK On, while the company announced or secured relationships involving SK Enmove, Nissan, Slate, and Eve Power.
- 2025
All-solid-state battery plant completed
[1]SK On completed construction of an all-solid-state battery plant in Daejeon.
- 2025
BlueOval SK dissolved
[1]SK On and Ford announced the dissolution of their BlueOval SK joint venture, with SK On taking the Tennessee facility.
- 2024
SK Trading International merger
[1]SK Trading International merged into SK On.
- 2023
Turkey joint venture withdrawal
[1]SK On withdrew from a proposed battery joint venture with Ford and Koç Holding in Turkey.
- 2023
Quebec cathode-material project begins construction
[1]A cathode-material joint venture involving SK On, Ford, and EcoPro BM began construction in Bécancour, Quebec.
- 2022
Georgia expansion with Hyundai
[1]SK On announced a new battery plant with Hyundai in Cartersville, Georgia.
- 2021
Battery business is separated from SK Innovation
[1]SK Innovation announced the separation of its battery business in July, and SK On launched as the operating brand in October.
- 2019
Construction begins in Commerce, Georgia
[1]SK Innovation began constructing its first United States electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Commerce, Georgia.
Products and positioning
A global electric-vehicle battery supplier emphasizing high-energy-density cells, localized manufacturing, automaker partnerships, and next-generation battery research.
Automotive batteries · 2021
Electric-vehicle battery cells
SK On’s core products are rechargeable battery cells for electric vehicles. The company supplies automotive programs through manufacturing facilities, partnerships, and long-term arrangements with vehicle manufacturers. Its competitive focus includes energy density, production scale, manufacturing quality, and the ability to establish capacity near major vehicle markets.
Lithium-ion batteries
NCM battery cells
Nickel-cobalt-manganese cells form an important part of SK On’s high-energy-density battery portfolio. These lithium-ion cells are intended for electric vehicles where range, packaging efficiency, and power performance are important considerations. Exact cell configurations and customer-specific specifications vary by program.
Stationary energy storage
Energy-storage-system batteries
SK On also produces batteries used in energy-storage systems. These applications differ from automotive batteries in operating profile and system requirements, and may support the storage and dispatch of electricity. The company’s energy-storage activities extend its battery business beyond vehicle manufacturers.
Next-generation batteries · 2025
All-solid-state batteries
SK On is developing all-solid-state battery technology and completed construction of a related plant in Daejeon in 2025. Solid-state designs use a solid electrolyte rather than a conventional liquid electrolyte. The technology is intended to support future improvements in safety and energy density, while its commercial scale-up remains dependent on manufacturing and cost performance.
Brand decisions
2025
Merge SK Enterm into SK OnM&ABackground
SK Enterm operated commercial tank terminals under SK Trading International.
Action taken
SK Enterm merged into SK On in February 2025.
Aftermath
The transaction further broadened SK On’s group-level corporate structure.
2025
Announce acquisition of SK EnmoveM&ABackground
SK Enmove was an SK Innovation affiliate operating in the lubricant business.
Action taken
SK On announced the acquisition of SK Enmove in July 2025.
Aftermath
The announced transaction would place another SK Innovation affiliate under SK On.
2025
Dissolve BlueOval SK with FordM&ABackground
SK On and Ford had established BlueOval SK as a battery manufacturing joint venture.
Action taken
The companies announced the dissolution of BlueOval SK, with SK On taking the Tennessee battery facility.
Aftermath
Ownership and operating responsibility for the Tennessee facility shifted to SK On.
2024
Absorb SK Trading InternationalM&ABackground
SK Group reorganized certain affiliated activities while SK On remained the group’s battery-focused operating company.
Action taken
SK Trading International merged into SK On in November 2024.
Aftermath
SK On’s legal and operating scope expanded to include the petroleum-trading affiliate’s activities.
2023
Withdraw from Turkish battery joint ventureM&ABackground
SK On had been associated with a proposed joint venture involving Ford and Koç Holding in Turkey.
Action taken
SK On withdrew from the proposed partnership in February 2023.
Aftermath
The Turkish joint-venture plan did not proceed with SK On as a participant.
2021
Separate the battery business as SK OnStrategyBackground
SK Innovation sought a dedicated structure for its growing battery activities as electric-vehicle demand and battery investment increased.
Action taken
It separated the battery business and launched SK On as a subsidiary in October 2021.
Aftermath
The new company became the operating platform for SK Innovation’s electric-vehicle and energy-storage battery activities.
Recent events
- 2026
SK On reportedly reduces workforce at Commerce plant[1]
Other
SK On laid off more than one-third of the workforce at its Commerce, Georgia, plant.
- 2025
SK Enterm merges into SK On[1]
M&A
SK Enterm, a commercial tank-terminal operator associated with SK Trading International, merged into SK On.
- 2025
SK On secures battery supply contract with Nissan[1]
Product launch
SK On secured a battery supply contract with Nissan as part of its continuing expansion of automaker relationships.
- 2025
Slate selects SK On as battery supplier[1]
Product launch
Slate selected SK On as a battery supplier for its vehicle program.
- 2025
SK On announces acquisition of SK Enmove[1]
M&A
SK On announced the acquisition of SK Enmove, an SK Innovation affiliate whose business is focused on lubricants.
- 2025
SK On completes all-solid-state battery plant in Daejeon[1]
Product launch · Product generation
SK On completed construction of an all-solid-state battery plant in Daejeon, South Korea.
- 2025
SK On takes full ownership of Jiangsu battery site[1]
M&A
SK On exchanged interests in two Chinese joint ventures with Eve Power and took full ownership of the Jiangsu site.
- 2025
BlueOval SK joint venture is dissolved[1]
M&A
SK On and Ford announced the dissolution of their BlueOval SK joint venture, with SK On taking the Tennessee battery facility.
- 2024
SK Trading International merges into SK On[1]
M&A
SK Trading International, an SK affiliate involved in crude oil and petroleum-products trading, merged into SK On.
- 2023
SK On withdraws from proposed Turkish joint venture[1]
M&A
SK On withdrew from a proposed joint venture with Ford and Koç Holding in Turkey.
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