NEO Battery Partners with Korea Zinc and Taesung to Commercialize Advanced Battery Technology for Drone, Robotics & Micromobility

About this update from Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.

TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2026 /CNW/ - NEO Battery Materials Ltd. ("NEO" or the "Company") (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost, silicon-enhanced battery developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging batteries for drones, robotics, and electronics, is highly pleased to announce that NBM Korea Co., the Company's subsidiary, has partnered with Korea Zinc Co., Ltd. ("Korea Zinc") (KRX: 010130), one of the world's largest non-ferrous metal smelters and refiners, and Taesung Co., Ltd. ("Taesung") (KRX: 323280), an advanced equipment technology manufacturer for non-ferrous metals, to accelerate the development and commercialization of composite copper current collector (foil) technology for high-performance batteries in drone, robotics, and micromobility applications. The technology partnership focuses on optimizing critical lithium-ion battery performance parameters specific to drones, robotics, and micromobility. Composite copper foils provide weight reduction, cost efficiency, and enhanced safety performance compared to conventional, widely deployed all-copper foils. The composite structure replaces the central copper layer with polymer materials, reducing overall copper usage and battery weight. This material innovation further improves energy density, enabling longer operating times for the targeted applications. Copper foil is an integral component within lithium-ion batteries, serving as the sole current collector for anode materials. Composite copper foils interact synergistically with high-capacity silicon anode materials, improving overall energy density and cycle life by mitigating mechanical strain during battery operation. The Company believes this innovation will directly complement NEO's silicon anode product, NBMSiDE®, in the manufacturing of energy-dense batteries for drones and robotics. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Korea Zinc, Taesung, and NEO intend to accelerate the commercialization of composite copper foil technology by leveraging each party's technical expertise across battery materials, cell manufacturing, and system integration and validation. Joint research and development activities are expected to include: In the initial phase, Korea Zinc and Taesung will lead the development and optimization of composite copper foil materials, and NEO will manu...

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