LG Chem said Monday that it filed a lawsuit against SK Innovation on Friday, claiming it copied LG’s key proprietary battery separator technology for electric cars.

The company said it took legal action after finding out that SK is in the stage of testing its battery for electric vehicles, which uses LG Chem’s technology, called the Safety Reinforced Separator.

“We have filed the lawsuit not only because we want to be reimbursed for damages, but also to protect our own technology,” said an LG Chem official. “If we let this go, other overseas competitors could also use the proprietary technology in the future.”

The SRS technology, developed and patented by LG Chem in 2005, is said to make the semi-permeable membrane mechanically and thermally superior compared to other separators by coating it with ceramic material. It ultimately increases the safety of the lithium ion battery built for electric cars, according to its company officials.

Global car manufacturers such as General Motors, Volvo, Renault-Samsung and Hyundai-Kia have therefore chosen LG Chem as their battery supplier, they said.

Claiming that SK is in the process of producing secondary batteries using the SRS technology, LG Chem has ordered the firm to dispose the related items and provide 100 billion won ($87,154) in damages, according to the suit.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)