EcoPro BM is investing approximately ₩40 billion ($29.0 million) to retrofit its Debrecen, Hungary, cathode materials plant into a flexible production hub for Europe’s premium electric-vehicle market. The project will convert an NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) line so it can also produce NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) materials, with supply to a German premium automaker targeted from Q4 2027. Equipment orders and shipping are underway. Debrecen, EcoPro BM’s first European cathode materials base, began commercial operations in the first half of this year and will have annual capacity of 54,000 tons across three lines, enough for about 600,000 electric vehicles. Line 1 reached full operation in June, while Line 2 is scheduled to start next month. Production is planned at approximately 10,000 tons this year and around 30,000 tons next year. EcoPro BM aims to achieve quarterly profit in Q4 this year and exceed annual breakeven through higher output, stabilized operations, efficiency gains and cost reductions. The wider Debrecen complex includes EcoPro Innovation’s 8,000-ton annual lithium hydroxide facility and EcoPro AP’s oxygen and nitrogen operations. EcoPro Group also plans to source nickel from the BNSI smelter under construction in Indonesia, supporting an integrated regional supply chain. CEO Kim Jang-woo said the Hungary subsidiary is expected to enter full profit-generating mode in Q4. EcoPro BM shares rose 7.39% to ₩113,400 ($82), while parent EcoPro gained 7.34% to ₩87,100 ($63). EcoPro BM reported Q2 consolidated revenue of ₩576.7 billion ($417.4 million) and operating profit of ₩18 billion ($13.0 million), extending its profitability streak.