Samsung SDI starts 46-series battery production, ships to US client

Samsung SDI's 46-series cylindrical battery lineup / Courtesy of Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI has begun production of 46-series cylindrical batteries, becoming the first Korean company to achieve the milestone.

According to the company, the move is aimed at expanding its client base both domestically and internationally.

The 46-series cylindrical batteries, often referred to as next-generation batteries, have a diameter of 46 millimeters. Samsung SDI's 4695 battery cells are manufactured at its plant in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and assembled into modules at its Vietnamese subsidiary.

These modules will initially be supplied to an American client for use in micro-mobility applications, the company said.

Samsung SDI emphasized the achievement's significance, noting that production began a year ahead of schedule due to its manufacturing competitiveness and technological expertise.

The 46-series batteries feature a high-nickel, cobalt and aluminum cathode, along with a silicon-carbon nanocomposite anode. The company has successfully enhanced the energy density and lifespan of its cylindrical batteries while improving safety measures to prevent swelling.

Samsung SDI adopted a table design for the product where the electrodes are connected directly to the current collectors without the help of traditional tabs. This has improved the current flow path and reduced internal resistance by 90 percent, which helps provide higher outage.

The 46-series batteries are also about six times larger in energy capacity than its predecessor with a diameter of 21 millimeters, enabling customers to use fewer cells for the same capacity, the company said.

Samsung SDI introduced the 46-series lineup at the InterBattery 2025 fair in Korea last month.

The battery manufacturer is also in talks with major electric vehicle makers to supply the product down the road but did not share a specific timeline for a possible partnership with carmakers.

According to market researcher SNE Research, the global market for 46-series cylindrical batteries is forecast to grow from 155 gigawatt-hours this year to 650 gigawatt-hours in 2030, with an annual growth rate of 33 percent.

“With the initial supply of the 46-series batteries, Samsung SDI has diversified its product portfolio,” a company official said. “Samsung SDI will continue efforts to take the lead in the 46-series battery market with differentiated manufacturing technology and quality.”