Samsung SDI, KG Mobility form cylindrical battery alliance

(Samsung SDI)

Samsung SDI has partnered with KG Mobility to jointly develop next-generation battery pack technologies for electric vehicles, accelerating efforts to secure an early lead in the advanced electrification market.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday at KG Tower in central Seoul to collaborate on the development and commercialization of battery packs for next-generation electric vehicles. The agreement moves beyond a traditional supplier–customer relationship toward a strategic partnership encompassing joint development and business expansion.

Under the partnership, the two Korean companies will jointly develop battery pack technologies using Samsung SDI’s 46-millimeter-diameter cylindrical battery cells. Cooperation will span battery pack design, performance verification, and safety validation, with the goal of delivering optimized battery solutions for future electric vehicle platforms.

The newly developed battery packs are expected to be sequentially installed in next-generation electric vehicles produced by KG Mobility. The partners also agreed to pursue longer-term cooperation, including joint research and development and information sharing for global battery market strategies.

At the core of the collaboration is Samsung SDI’s 46-series cylindrical battery, which offers high energy density, enabling both extended driving range and faster charging. The battery applies high-capacity nickel–cobalt–aluminum cathode materials and Samsung SDI’s proprietary silicon carbon nano-composite anode, significantly extending battery lifespan.

As automakers increasingly demand battery solutions that balance energy density, charging performance, and production efficiency, competition among global battery makers in cylindrical battery technologies is expected to intensify. Samsung SDI plans to foster cylindrical batteries as a key growth engine alongside its existing prismatic and pouch-type portfolio.