Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Samsung SDI, BMW to jointly validate all-solid-state batteries
Samsung SDI's all-solid-state battery / Courtesy of Samsung SDI
By Kang Seung-woo
Samsung SDI announced Friday that it has signed a trilateral agreement with Germany’s premium automaker BMW Group and U.S.-based battery technology company Solid Power to collaborate on an all-solid-state battery (ASSB) validation project.
Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will supply ASSB cells featuring enhanced energy density and safety by using Solid Power’s solid electrolyte technology. BMW will develop modules and packs for the ASSB cells. The three companies will jointly evaluate the performance of the batteries under agreed parameters and integrate them into BMW’s next-generation evaluation vehicles.
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, ASSB cells rely on solid electrolytes, offering improved safety and higher energy density. The technology enables electric vehicles (EVs) to achieve longer driving ranges without increasing the overall battery system’s weight.
The collaboration marks a significant step in establishing a practical global value chain for ASSBs, combining each partner’s strengths in cell manufacturing, automotive engineering and materials development. Industry observers say BMW chose Samsung SDI as its partner based on long-standing trust built through their partnership since 2009.
Recognized as a front-runner in the ASSB field, Samsung SDI is known for its technological expertise and commitment to advancing next-generation batteries.
“Technological competitiveness in batteries ultimately leads to innovation in electric vehicles,” said Go Joo-young, executive vice president of the ASSB Commercialization Team at Samsung SDI. “We will work closely with global partners like BMW and Solid Power to lead in commercializing ASSBs.”
“With Samsung SDI joining our partnership with Solid Power, we gain significant momentum in advancing new battery cell technologies,” said Martin Schuster, vice president of battery cell and cell module at BMW Group. “This collaboration is another proof point of our goal to always offer customers state-of-the-art battery technology.”
“We are excited to partner with Samsung SDI and BMW to advance all-solid-state batteries,” said John Van Scoter, president and CEO of Solid Power. “Our solid electrolyte technology is designed for stability and conductivity, and by working with global leaders in automotive and battery innovation, we aim to bring ASSB technology closer to widespread adoption.”
Samsung SDI has been strengthening its capabilities for ASSB commercialization. In March 2023, it established a pilot production line at its Suwon R&D Center in Gyeonggi Province, the first of its kind in the country, and began producing prototypes later that year. Sample testing is now underway with multiple customers.
The company continues to improve battery capacity through cell enlargement and is developing manufacturing processes and supply chains to prepare for mass production.
As demand for ASSBs grows beyond EVs into areas such as robotics and other new applications, Samsung SDI said it is in discussions with additional potential customers to accelerate commercialization efforts.