솔럼 어드밴스드 머티리얼즈 - 10μm 스테인리스 포일

For hundreds of years, metallurgists have faced the limitation of not being able to create thin steel sheets thinner than paper. Existing rolling processes proceed in a compression manner, and if rolled uniformly to a level of 10μm, internal deformation and non-uniformity occur, leaving ultra-thin metal as a dream material.

As a result, the demand for thinner and stronger metal materials in negative electrode current collectors for high-energy-density batteries and micro medical devices has not been satisfied, and there has been a problem of delayed new product development due to technical constraints.

ESAR (Equal-Speed Asymmetric Rolling)It is innovative in that it secures a homogeneous structure and strength even at a thickness of 10μm by precisely controlling shear deformation through its unique rolling method called ESAR. Unlike typical vertical rolling, it is a technology that uniformizes the microstructure to the inside of the metal by applying shear force with a pair of rollers with different rotational speeds, enabling the production of ultra-thin materials without distortion.

The resulting ESAR-μFoil has a completely uniform structure from the surface to the core, and its tensile strength and corrosion resistance are significantly improved compared to existing metals of the same thickness. Thanks to these groundbreaking mechanical properties, applications that were previously impossible, such as solid-state batteries, medical micro-sensors, and semiconductor process components that require both thinness and strength, have become a reality.

In short, the differentiating point is that it has broken the centuries-old barrier of metal rolling and elevated metal to a new engineering platform.

Secondary battery manufacturers (B2B) and medical device/semiconductor equipment companies that utilize the material are key customers. For example, it can replace existing copper foil as a solid-state battery negative electrode current collector or be adopted as a precision semiconductor deposition mask.

In addition, manufacturers of ultra-lightweight parts for electric vehicles and aerospace material companies that require ultra-thin metal sheets will be the main adopters. Most transactions are in the form of business-to-business (B2B), and Solum plans to supply the materials directly through partnerships with global material companies and finished product manufacturers.

The technically secured ultra-thin stainless steel manufacturing process can be applied to other metal foils such as copper and aluminum using the same principle, and can be expanded to various fields such as batteries → electronics → precision parts.

Currently, it is our unique method, but it can be expanded in the global market through licensing or joint ventures by securing patents. In terms of regulations, there are no restrictions on the material itself, but securing mass production capacity and yield is key to market expansion.

We are expanding our production infrastructure with financial support from the Korean government's Unicorn Program selection and awards, and are aiming to be incorporated into the global supply chain for battery factories around the world in the future. Contracts have already been signed with battery companies in China and other countries, and international market entry is underway (e.g., a supply contract of 20,000 tons with a Chinese company in 2025).

Winning the CES 2026 Innovation Award in the Enterprise Technology category is an unusual achievement in the materials field,It was evaluated as "a material innovation that will change the foundation of the industry."Domestic and foreign material experts expect this technology to contribute to improving battery energy density and semiconductor micro-process precision.

In terms of technological completeness, it is already close to the mass production stage, and market reliability is also high as it has been recognized as a domestic Baby Unicorn. However, concerns about overestimation compared to market expectations include stabilizing the mass production process and reducing costs. So far, it has been positive based on showcases and is receiving love calls from various industries, but it is evaluated as an early stage that requires time to be verified by actual sales.