NEO Battery Appoints Battery Gigafactory Production Veteran, Seok Joung Youn, as Head of Manufacturing & Facility Operations

Rhea-AI Summary

NEO Battery Materials (OTC:NBMFF) has appointed Seok Joung Youn as Head of Manufacturing and Facility Operations. Youn brings 40 years of lithium-ion battery manufacturing experience from Samsung SDI and global battery startups. At Samsung, he notably launched the industry's first 1,200mm-wide electrode production line for electric vehicles.

Youn will lead manufacturing operations alongside Dr. J.S. Jeoung, SVP of Commercialization & Cell Development, focusing on producing high-quality electrodes and large-format cells for testing NEO's silicon battery materials at near-commercial scale. His expertise will be crucial in transitioning the company's silicon anode technology from material innovation to real-world applications.

Positive

• Appointment of veteran executive with 40 years of lithium-ion battery manufacturing experience
• Strong technical background in process engineering and quality control from Samsung SDI
• Proven track record in launching innovative production lines and improving manufacturing efficiency
• Strategic addition to strengthen commercial readiness and scaling capabilities

Negative

• Commercial production and scaling challenges yet to be proven
• Significant execution risks in transitioning from material innovation to real-world applications

• Appointed Mr. Seok Joung Youn as Head of Manufacturing & Facility Operations
• 40 Years of Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing & Quality Control Experience from Samsung SDI and Global Battery Startups
  • Launched World’s First Wide Electrode Production Line for Samsung EV Batteries
• Will Direct Production of High-Quality Electrodes and Large-Format Battery Cells for Robust Testing & Validation for Global Battery Partners
  
  

TORONTO, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEO Battery Materials Ltd. (“NEO” or the “Company”) (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Seok Joung Youn as Head of Manufacturing and Facility Operations.

Mr. Youn brings 40 years of lithium-ion battery and facility operations experience and leadership from Samsung SDI, the world’s 7^th-largest battery cell manufacturer, and global battery startups. With a technical background spanning process engineering and quality control, Mr. Youn acted in key roles in developing and realizing production efficiencies in high-volume manufacturing for both small-format and automotive batteries.

During his tenure at Samsung, Mr. Youn successfully launched the battery industry’s first 1,200mm-wide electrode production line for electric vehicles. Along with stabilizing product yield and establishing operator protocols, Mr. Youn enhanced Samsung’s global battery deployment capacity and reduced costs from lowered defects. He subsequently held senior roles at global battery startups, including EoCell, where he led pilot production lines for a European gigafactory’s commercial-level qualification and start-of-production (SOP).

Along with Dr. J.S. Jeoung, SVP of Commercialization & Cell Development, Mr. Youn will lead manufacturing operations to ensure NEO’s quality adheres to standards required by its global battery partners. He will also direct the production of high-quality electrodes and large-format cells, which are integral to testing and validating NEO’s silicon battery materials at near-commercial scale. As the Company moves toward expanding silicon battery capacity, Mr. Youn’s expertise and leadership are expected to facilitate the transition from material innovation to real-world application.

Mr. Spencer Huh, President & CEO of NEO, stated, “We are honoured to welcome Mr. Youn to NEO Battery Materials, and we are excited to build a well-rounded team that covers the full spectrum of battery manufacturing and technology. Mr. Youn retains deep operational experience and a proven ability to lead high-precision, large-scale battery manufacturing, having worked at Samsung and other global companies. His know-how and leadership will further strengthen our execution capabilities as we proceed to the next phase of commercial readiness.”

About NEO Battery Materials Ltd.
NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fast charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. The Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: https://www.neobatterymaterials.com/.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Spencer Huh
Director, President, and CEO

For Investor Relations, PR & More Information:
info@neobatterymaterials.com
T: +1 (437) 451-7678

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified notably by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: volatile stock prices; the general global markets and economic conditions; the possibility of write-downs and impairments; the risk associated with the research and development of advanced and battery-related technologies; the risk associated with the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies that have not yet been tested or proven on commercial scale; manufacturing process scale-up risks, including maintaining consistent material quality, production yields, and process reproducibility at a pilot or commercial scale; compatibility issues with existing battery chemistries and unforeseen the risks associated with entering into and maintaining collaborations, joint ventures, or partnerships with battery cell manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and various companies in the global battery supply chain; the risks associated with the construction, completion, and financing of commercial facilities including the Windsor and South Korean facilities; the risks associated with supply chain disruptions or cost fluctuations in raw materials, processing chemicals, and additive prices, impacting production costs and commercial viability; the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of research, development and production; competition faced by the Company in securing experienced personnel and financing; access to adequate infrastructure and resources to support battery materials research and development activities; the risks associated with changes in the technology regulatory regime governing the Company; the risks associated with the timely execution of the Company’s strategies and business plans; the risks associated with the lithium-ion battery industry’s demand and adoption of the Company’s silicon anode technology; market adoption and integration challenges, including the difficulty of incorporating silicon anodes within battery manufacturers and OEMs systems; the risks associated with the various environmental and political regulations the Company is subject to; risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; the reliance on key personnel; liquidity risks; the risk of litigation; risk management; and other risk factors as identified in the Company’s recent Financial Statements and MD&A and in recent securities filings for the Company which are available on www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued R&D and commercialization activities, no material adverse change in precursor prices, development and commercialization plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations, research and development, and commercialization plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this presentation, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FAQ

Who is Seok Joung Youn and what is his role at NEO Battery Materials (NBMFF)?

Seok Joung Youn is NEO Battery's new Head of Manufacturing and Facility Operations, bringing 40 years of experience from Samsung SDI and global battery startups. He will lead manufacturing operations and production of high-quality electrodes and large-format cells.

What are Seok Joung Youn's major achievements in battery manufacturing?

At Samsung SDI, Youn successfully launched the battery industry's first 1,200mm-wide electrode production line for electric vehicles and improved production efficiencies. He also led pilot production lines for a European gigafactory's commercial qualification.

What does NEO Battery Materials (NBMFF) specialize in?

NEO Battery Materials specializes in developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems, using a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process.

How will Seok Joung Youn's appointment impact NEO Battery Materials' operations?

Youn will direct the production of high-quality electrodes and large-format cells, ensure quality standards for global battery partners, and facilitate the company's transition from material innovation to commercial-scale production.

What are NEO Battery Materials' (NBMFF) current development goals?

The company aims to expand silicon battery capacity and transition from material innovation to real-world applications, focusing on becoming a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for EV and energy storage industries.