EcoPro Surges 5%, Claims Top Market Cap on KOSDAQ Amid Physical AI Boom

"We thought EVs were done..." Secondary batteries revive in robot clothing

EcoPro surged more than 5% during trading on January 2, claiming the top market capitalization spot on the KOSDAQ market.

According to Korea Exchange data as of 9:44 a.m., EcoPro was trading at 172,000 won, up 5.85% from the previous trading day. Opening at 164,500 won, EcoPro climbed more than 6% during the session to reach 176,600 won. Riding this sharp rally, EcoPro overtook EcoPro BM to claim the No. 1 market cap position on KOSDAQ. At the same time, EcoPro's market capitalization stood at approximately 23.38 trillion won ($17.2 billion).

EcoPro's stock price has surged this year, buoyed by tailwinds in the secondary battery sector. The rally is attributed to significantly improved investor sentiment as expectations grow for next-generation growth industries including humanoid robots and all-solid-state batteries.

The expanding robot market is proving beneficial for EcoPro and the broader EcoPro Group. Through vertical integration in the secondary battery supply chain, the group positions EcoPro BM as its core affiliate producing high-nickel cathode materials. EcoPro Materials manufactures precursors, a key raw material for cathode production, while EcoPro HN specializes in eco-friendly solutions. However, EcoPro BM, which had previously surged alongside EcoPro, was down 0.86% on the day.

"As physical AI gains prominence, demand for solid-state batteries for robots is bound to expand," said Choi Tae-yong, a researcher at DS Investment & Securities. "Batteries for robots require higher space efficiency, impact resistance, high-power performance, and corresponding thermal management compared to EVs, which means they are highly likely to establish themselves as high-value-added products."