Samsung leader eyes solid-state batteries as future growth engine

Samsung Group appears set to up its investment in solid-state batteries, a game changer in the electric vehicle sector, as South Korea’s top conglomerate sees the cell as one of its core future growth businesses.

Solid-state batteries are touted as “dream batteries,” which the global cell industry are scrambling to develop, thanks to their better safety and higher energy density than lithium-ion models.

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman and de facto group leader Jay Y. Lee on Monday visited a solid-battery pilot production site at Samsung SDI Co., the world’s sixth-largest EV cell manufacturer, according to industry sources. Lee reportedly emphasized investment in talent and technology.

Samsung SDI started construction of the production line in March 2022 with a target of completion in the first half of this year. It is set to test the performance, materials, components and production methods of small battery cell prototypes in the second half.

FASTER THAN LARGER LOCAL RIVALS

The company aims to complete the verification of technology on small-sized batteries this year, as well as medium- and large-sized products, including those for EVs, in 2025 for full-scale production of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) in 2027.

The target is faster than those of its larger local rivals – LG Energy Solution Ltd. and SK On Co. LG Energy, the world’s second-largest EV battery maker, plans to manufacture the ASSBs in 2030, while SK On, the No. 5 player, targets production of the models in 2029.

Lee’s visit to Samsung SDI came 10 days after his trip to the chip packaging plants of Samsung Electronics Co. in South Korea, saying the world’s top memory chipmaker should stick to its plan for investment and training talent. Earlier this month he visited Samsung Display Co.

“All the workplaces Chairman Lee visited are preparing for future businesses,” an industry source said.

“Samsung regards the chip packaging, QD-OLED and solid-state battery segments as future growth engines that the group should strategically focus on,” the source added, referring to next-generation quantum dot organic light emitting diode displays.

Write to Ji-Eun Jeong and Hyung-Kyu Kim at jeong@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.