Core Insights - South Korea experienced its most severe digital infrastructure incident due to a fire at the National Information Resources Service data center, which resulted in 647 critical systems going offline, accounting for approximately 40% of the national digital service framework [1][9]. Incident Details - The fire broke out on September 26 during a battery transfer operation involving lithium batteries, which had been identified as a risk prior to the incident. The fire was ignited by a spark from one of the batteries, leading to a rapid escalation of the blaze [2][7]. - The fire reached temperatures of 160 degrees Celsius, causing the temperature and humidity control systems to fail, prompting the management to shut down all remaining equipment to prevent further damage [2][9]. - The fire was extinguished after 22 hours, resulting in the complete destruction of 384 lithium batteries and damage to 740 computing devices [3][4]. Response and Recovery - Approximately 73 firefighters and 70 fire trucks were involved in the rescue efforts, with one reported injury [4]. - As of the following Monday, only 62 out of the 647 systems had been restored, indicating a recovery rate of less than 10% [13]. Infrastructure Critique - The incident highlighted significant flaws in the infrastructure, including the aging of the lithium batteries, which were installed in 2014 and had surpassed their warranty period. Recommendations for replacement had been made but were not acted upon [7][15]. - Criticism was directed at the layout of the data center, where the distance between the batteries and critical servers was less than the recommended 90 centimeters, increasing the risk of fire spread [7]. Systemic Impact - The fire led to widespread service disruptions across South Korea, affecting critical systems such as mobile identification, banking services, and emergency response systems [9][10]. - The incident prompted the activation of the highest emergency response level for an IT disaster in South Korea, marking a significant escalation in the response to such incidents [10]. Industry Implications - The fire has raised concerns about the safety of lithium batteries in data centers, with experts calling for stricter safety measures, including better isolation of battery modules and improved fire detection and suppression systems [19]. - The market share of lithium batteries in data center applications has increased significantly, from 15% in 2020 to an estimated 38.5% currently, indicating a growing reliance on this technology despite the associated risks [19].

Core Points - South Korea experienced its most severe digital infrastructure incident due to a fire at the National Information Resources Service data center, which lasted 22 hours and took down 647 critical systems, accounting for approximately 40% of the national digital service framework [2][4][7] - The incident highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the country's reliance on a single data center and raised questions about the safety of lithium batteries in data centers [11][15] Incident Details - The fire broke out on September 26 during a battery migration operation, with a lithium battery igniting and causing rapid spread of flames, leading to temperatures reaching 160 degrees Celsius [4][6] - A total of 384 lithium batteries were completely destroyed, and around 740 computing devices were damaged [4][10] - The firefighting efforts involved 73 firefighters and 70 fire trucks, with one reported injury [5] Contributing Factors - Aging batteries, operational errors during the migration, and inadequate spacing between batteries and critical servers were identified as potential causes of the fire [6][15] - The data center's design did not meet recommended safety standards, such as maintaining a minimum distance of 90 cm between batteries and servers [6][15] System Impact - The fire led to the shutdown of 647 systems, with only 62 systems restored by the following Monday, indicating a recovery rate of less than 10% [10] - The incident caused widespread disruption to essential services, including digital identity systems, banking operations, and emergency services [7][10] Industry Implications - The event prompted a reevaluation of the safety protocols surrounding lithium batteries in data centers, as their market share in data center battery systems has increased from 15% in 2020 to an estimated 38.5% [15] - The incident is expected to lead to stricter operational guidelines and safety measures in the industry to prevent similar occurrences in the future [15]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has introduced stringent safety standards for electric vehicle batteries, emphasizing the need for "non-flammability and non-explosiveness," which will be implemented from July 1, 2026. This raises the safety performance requirements for lithium batteries, particularly the separators, which are crucial for enhancing battery safety [1]. Industry Overview - In 2024, 380,700 new energy vehicles were recalled due to fire risks, with 74% (283,000 vehicles) directly related to battery issues. Most fire incidents were caused by mechanical damage to the separator during collisions, leading to internal short circuits and thermal runaway [1]. - The core cause of fires is short circuits, and the separator acts as a physical barrier between the positive and negative electrodes. Its strength and thermal stability are critical for safety [1]. Separator Safety Challenges - Innovations in separators have primarily focused on functional coating improvements, with 72% of global lithium battery separator patents from 2018 to 2023 related to coating technology. In contrast, core innovations in base film performance only accounted for 18%, leading to a persistent "safety-energy-lifetime" dilemma in the lithium battery industry [1][2]. - The innovation in base films is essential to overcome the industry's safety bottlenecks, as highlighted by the need to return to base film innovation as a core research and development strategy [2]. Technical Barriers - Three major technical barriers must be overcome for base film innovation: precise control of polymer crystallization orientation, nano-level regulation of micropore structures, and stability in stretching processes for mass production consistency [2]. Company Innovations - Enjie Co., as a global leader in separators, has proactively focused on base film innovations since 2016, achieving significant breakthroughs in molecular chain structure reconfiguration. This has resulted in a revolutionary design that enhances safety and performance, with the breaking temperature of high-safety base film products increasing from 150°C to 230°C [3]. - Enjie’s 5μm base film has a puncture strength exceeding 550gf, maintaining high strength even at extreme thinness, thus providing dual insurance for battery safety [3]. Product Matrix - Enjie has developed a comprehensive ecosystem of high-safety separator products, including the X series high-safety base films and various coated separators designed to withstand high temperatures and enhance safety [5]. - The upcoming implementation of new national standards is expected to drive profound changes in the separator industry, with companies capable of self-research in base films gaining significant supply chain leverage [5]. Future Implications - The ongoing "fundamental scientific revolution" in base film innovation is reshaping the safety boundaries of lithium batteries, opening possibilities for future high-energy-density batteries [6].