Kim Yu-Jin: Hello! Today, we’ll be going learn about SK ie technology (SKIET). SKIET is famous for its lithium-ion battery separator (LiBS) – a core material of electric vehicle battery, and the Flexible Cover Window, which is the brand name of the core material for flexible displays. Today! We have an assistant MC who will be helping us!

Woo Young-kyu: Hello! My name is Woo Young-kyu, from LiBS Business Office of SKIET.

Kim Yu-Jin: Welcome Woo Young-kyu! Want to guess which global business site we’ll be introducing today?

Woo Young-kyu: Umm, can you give me a hint?

Kim Yu-Jin: It’s a country that’s the birthplace of Copernicus, Marie Curie, and Chopin, and famous for its salt mines and beautiful natural scenery!

Woo Young-kyu: Oh! I think it’s where the SK ie technology’s LiBS factory is…Poland! Isn’t it?

Kim Yu-Jin: Yes, it is.

Woo Young-kyu: Let’s hurry up and go to Poland!

Kim Yu-Jin: Today’s destination of is SK hi-tech battery materials Poland (SKBMP). As far as I know, SKBMP is SK ie technology’s first European production base! Am I right?

Woo Young-kyu: Yes, you are! Poland is a country that has many benefits for targeting the European market, which is one of the 3 major electric vehicle markets. It’s close to countries with car manufacturers’ factories and global lithium-ion battery manufacturers are also in Hungary and Poland, so it’s advantageous for product supply and customer management. Therefore, Poland is considered a competitive investment region, and that’s why it was chosen as our first production base in Europe.

Kim Yu-Jin: I’m getting more and more curious about the people who work there!

Tomasz: Dzień dobry? My name is Tomasz Laszczak! Please, just call me Thomas in English. That would be easier for you guys to call my name. I am a Material Quality Manager, and in charge of quality control tasks at SKBMP Materials Quality Group.

Woo Young-kyu: I heard that the process for producing LiBS, which is a core material for making eco-friendly electric car batteries, is also eco-friendly.

Tomasz: That’s right. SKIET is one of the RE100* member companies! 100% of the power we use at the business site is renewable energy. We plan to increase the production capacity gradually by building factories in order. Plant No.4 will be built by the year 2024.

* RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%): Global energy conversion campaign for switching 100% of the power used by corporations to solar power, wind power, and other renewable energy

Woo Young-kyu: When Plant No. 4 starts operating, our total production volume will be at least 1.5 billion m2, and SKBMP will become the largest separator factory in Europe!

Tomasz: I heard this will generate 1,500 new jobs when that happens. Our members in Poland already has a good bond with South Korea, and this makes us even happier!

Kim Yu-Jin: What are the similarities between Poland and South Korea?

Tomasz: Poland is the country that suffered the most damage from World War II. There’s a lot of tragedy here due to many of the surrounding strong powers. It shares many of the same historical tragedies as South Korea. That’s why our members in Poland talk about how South Korea and Poland share a lot of historical similarities.

Woo Young-kyu: I heard there’s one more similarity between Polish and Korean people!
Woo Young-kyu: That they love to drink?

Tomasz: Yes, alcohol indeed is popular in Poland. Vodka is cheaper here than Korean soju, and alcohol is often served at parties.

Kim Yu-Jin: Vodka is cheaper than soju? That sounds too good to be true! I’m going to buy my plane ticket right now!

Tomasz: I hope we don’t get branded as an alcohol-loving country! Poland is also famous for its music! There are many concerts in Poland, and they are easy to attend. So I hope you can experience them when you come to Poland.

Kim Yu-Jin: We also heard that SKBMP members are very dedicated to social contribution activities like plogging.

Tomasz: It was really meaningful that I was able to participate in plogging, which started in South Korea. I feel like the bond between Korean and Polish members got even stronger. We plogged near the lake, and it was really fun! The local residents also loved it, so it was a great way to spread the name of SKBMP!

Kim Yu-Jin: Wow! Through the plogging, you are building a global One Team Spirit. Now could you tell us more about yourself, Tomasz?

Tomasz: I’m in charge of quality control. We perform important tasks, such as raw material import inspections, semi-finished product/finished product quality tests, quality control, customer service, etc. Actually, I’ve worked at companies in Asian countries as the quality department manager, so I’m quite familiar with Asian culture. I also have quite a few friends in various institutions in Dabrowa Gornicza, which is one of SKBMP’s investment regions.

Kim Yu-Jin: I knew it! I could tell you were such an outgoing person even from the screen!
As a renowned socialite of SKBMP! How is it to work in SKBMP?

Tomasz: Everyone works hard and they’re ambitious. Thanks to the great leadership of the group leaders and members, we’re creating a strong team! More factories will be built in the future, so we’re trying to explore and learn more as we work.

Woo Young-kyu: I feel so reassured, knowing that so many passionate members are working in the local regions.

Please check the video below for the full talk and learn more about Tomasz’ tasks in SKBMP and SK One Spirit in Poland