Press Release
LG Energy Solution to Enter Aerospace Battery Sector in Partnership with South 8 Technologies
November 11, 2025
LG Energy Solution signs strategic development collaboration with a visionary U.S. startup South8 Technologies to co-develop space-rated batteries capable of functioning at ultra-low temperatures as low as -60 °C. The two companies to join forces with KULR Technology Group and NASA to secure extreme-environment battery technologies for next-generation space missions
SEOUL, November 12 — LG Energy Solution today announced a strategic partnership with South 8 Technologies to jointly develop space-rated lithium-ion batteries optimized for extreme low temperatures. This agreement positions LG Energy Solution to participate in the development of next-generation battery technologies that can withstand the harshest environments, establishing a foothold in the emerging aerospace sector.
“The liquefied gas electrolyte technology fundamentally addresses the long-standing issues of battery performance degradation in extreme cold environments,” said Jay Kim, LG Energy Solution’s Chief Technology Officer. “We anticipate that this technology will unlock unprecedented possibilities to pioneer new products and applications including the space.”
The two companies’ cooperation is part of a larger aerospace initiative involving KULR Technology Group, Inc (NYSE American: KULR) and NASA to develop cold-temperature battery solutions for the next generation of deep space missions. KULR, a leading provider of cutting-edge energy storage solutions for aerospace and defense, recently secured a funding of $6.7 million from the Texas Space Commission to develop cold-temperature lithium-ion battery solutions for lunar and Martian exploration missions. The program is being carried out in close collaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).
South 8 Technologies is a U.S. startup company that has developed the world’s first liquefied gas (LiGas®) electrolyte, a patented solution that enhances battery performance by enabling ultra-low temperature operation down to -60 °C, significantly outperforming conventional liquid electrolytes that struggle below -20 °C. This technology was recognized as one of TIME magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of 2024.’
Moreover, the liquefied gas electrolyte has the potential to drastically enhance battery safety under physical or electrical abuse conditions. When such shocks occur, the liquid solvent inside the battery will rapidly evaporate, reducing the cell temperature and expelling the evaporated electrolyte. This process effectively renders the cell a non-functional “dummy cell”, significantly reducing risks such as thermal incidents.
LG Energy Solution first connected with South 8 Technologies through its Startup Challenge Program in 2019 and has maintained active collaboration since. In 2024, the companies signed a joint development agreement and began the development of liquefied gas electrolyte-based batteries. The latest agreement announced today further cements the cooperative relationship between the two companies.
Media Contact
South 8 Technologies
Layne Bashor
Senior Business Development Manager, South 8 Technologies
[email protected]
About South 8 Technologies:
Based in San Diego, California, South 8 Technologies is pioneering the world’s first liquefied gas electrolyte (LiGas®) for lithium-ion batteries. LiGas cells enable high-performance operation across an unprecedented temperature range (-60 to +60 °C), unlocking applications in defense, aerospace, and electrified transportation. South 8 offers both finished cells and electrolyte integration kits for partners seeking to advance their systems with cutting-edge electrochemical performance. With superior reliability, unmatched versatility, and the ability to operate where conventional batteries cannot, South 8 is redefining the standards of lithium-ion technology and opening new frontiers for industries in the most demanding environments.
About LG Energy Solution: