South Korean battery material makers are accelerating efforts to build traceable, non-Chinese supply chains, as stricter US rules threaten federal clean energy incentives for products linked to China. LS-L&F Battery Solution (LLBS), a joint venture between LS Group and L&F, has begun qualification tests to produce precursor materials—blends of metals used in cathodes—using metal sulfates from LS Group affiliate LS MnM, according to reports on Thursday. If testing is completed as planned, LLBS could begin mass production.