Samsung SDI energizes 'dream battery' race at InterBattery 2024

Samsung SDI unveiled its road map for mass production of a solid-state battery at the battery exhibition in Coex, southern Seoul.

Visitors at InterBattery 2024 take a look at a mock-up of Samsung SDI's solid-state battery in Coex, southern Seoul on Wednesday. The event runs until Friday. [SAMSUNG SDI]

Korea's race to make “dream batteries” became a little more visible on Wednesday as Samsung SDI unveiled its road map for the production of solid-state batteries at the InterBattery 2024 exhibition.

An excited crowd of visitors surrounded a mock-up of solid-state batteries at Samsung SDI’s booth at the three-day battery show in Coex, southern Seoul, which was on display alongside a screen showing the company's plans for samples and mass production.

It aims to come up with samples in three phases by 2026 in order to start mass production in 2027. It sent samples of solid-state batteries to three clients so far.

“All processes are going well as planned for mass production set for 2027,” said Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho during an interview at InterBattery 2024.

“Mass production of our batteries with a 46-millimeter (1.8-inch) diameter can start in early 2025, and lithium iron phosphate [LFP] batteries in 2026.”

LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung speaks during an interview at InterBattery 2024 held in Coex, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Visitors to InterBattery 2024 take a look at batteries displayed at LG Energy Solution's booth Wednesday in Coex in southern Seoul. The event runs until Friday. [YONHAP]

Solid-state batteries are touted as “dream batteries” for their high energy density and safety as they use solid electrolytes, unlike a lithium-ion battery that uses liquid electrolytes. It also has no risk of explosion or fire, but has yet to be commercialized by any battery company or auto manufacturer.

“We are the only Korean battery maker to announce such detailed plans for solid-state batteries,” said a spokesperson for Samsung SDI at its booth on Wednesday.

The company is aiming for 450 watt-hours per kilogram of energy density with its solid-state batteries, around 40 percent higher than its conventional prismatic battery.

That’s also around threefold that of China’s LFP batteries, which currently stand at some 160 watt-hours per kilogram.

The solid-state batteries will be supplied for premium sports cars and supercars in the early stages, though the company has not named the automakers it is in talks with.

Visitors to InterBattery 2024 take a look at SK On's batteries Wednesday in Coex in southern Seoul. The event runs until Friday. [YONHAP]

SK On also unveiled an updated plan for the development of solid-state batteries, which is currently underway jointly with Colorado-based Solid Power. SK invested $30 million in the U.S. company in 2021.

They aim to build a pilot plant in Daejeon in 2025. The introduction of the pilot product is set for 2026 with the goal of commercialization in 2029.

SK On’s solid-state battery capacity currently stands at 2 amp-hours, and it aims to increase that to 60 amp-hours by 2026.

LG Energy Solution announced that it will start production of solid-state batteries in 2030, without providing details on its road map.

“We want to come with a decent one though it could take a while,” said LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung during an interview.

This year's InterBattery, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by the Korea Battery Industry Association, is the largest in the event's history, with a total of 579 companies from 18 countries participating.

It runs until Friday.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]