SK Innovation, a key affiliate of SK Group, won the second round of its patent lawsuit against LG Chem over a key material used for electric car batteries, according to the company in a press release.

On Thursday, the Patent Court of Korea dismissed the appeal that LG Chem filed at the end of 2012 to challenge the Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal’s decision to uphold SK Innovation.

“The successive wins of SK Innovation in a legal battle with LG Chem testifies to SK Innovation’s technological prowess over key components used for large and mid-size rechargeable batteries,’’ the company said.

Industry watchers said the patent court’s decision will change the landscape of the nation’s car battery market. SK Innovation, a latecomer to the sector, brought competition by driving investment last year in pursuit of a new growth engine.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)