[Bojo, Battery] Samsung SDI Strengthens Its 'Unrivaled Position' in All-Solid-State Battery Mass Production

Promising Startups in All-Solid-State Battery Field Abandon Mass Production One After Another
'Battery Mass Production Experience' Samsung SDI Accelerates Commercialization Steps

A model of an all-solid-state battery is displayed at the Samsung SDI booth at the '2024 INTER BATTERY' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul last March. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Samsung SDI is strengthening its dominant position in the mass production of all-solid-state batteries. All-solid-state batteries are recognized as the leading next-generation batteries due to their superior safety and energy density.

According to the battery industry on the 28th, promising startups developing all-solid-state batteries, such as QuantumScape, are successively scaling back their battery cell mass production plans and shifting their business focus toward intellectual property (IP) operations. They plan to continue technological development in the all-solid-state battery field while collaborating with battery cell or complete vehicle companies for mass production.

Chi Chao Hu, founder of SES AI, a company known for designing batteries using artificial intelligence (AI), recently stated in a foreign media interview, "We are negotiating with the battery Big 6 companies for the mass production of lithium metal batteries." The battery Big 6 refers to six global battery companies: three domestic firms?LG Energy Solution, SK On, Samsung SDI?and three international firms?China's CATL and BYD, and Japan's Panasonic. QuantumScape, which is pursuing the development of oxide-based batteries, has also signed a contract with Volkswagen for the mass production of all-solid-state batteries.

The withdrawal of promising startups from battery mass production indicates the high hurdles for large-scale manufacturing. Toyota, once regarded as the leader in sulfide-based all-solid-state battery development, is also experiencing delays in commercialization. Currently, Samsung SDI plans to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2027, while Toyota aims for 2027?2028. LG Energy Solution maintains its plan to mass-produce sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries by 2030 but does not intend to advance the production timeline to ensure safety.

Samsung SDI is concretizing its mass production plans faster than any other company. Especially in a situation where securing the material supply chain is crucial, it appears to have decided to collaborate with domestic and international material suppliers. Ko Ju-young, Vice President and Head of the Medium and Large Product Planning Team at Samsung SDI, who is leading the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries, stated about the all-solid-state battery supply chain, "We are in the final decision-making stage," adding, "We are considering dual sourcing as well. We will not select just one material partner." This is why Samsung SDI is regarded as the frontrunner in the all-solid-state battery field, which has recently gained attention due to a series of electric vehicle fires.

An industry insider said, "Expensive materials such as lithium sulfide and solid electrolytes are currently obstacles to commercialization, but if demand from downstream industries increases and mass production is achieved, material prices can also rapidly decrease," adding, "Just 6 to 7 years ago, battery cell prices exceeded $400 per kWh, but now they have dropped below $100. All-solid-state batteries will initially be adopted for premium electric vehicles or aviation, and after price reductions, they can be used more widely."