Samsung SDI
Recently, there has been an explosion of interest in the eco-friendly energy industry around the world. There is a vibrant discussion about alternative energy taking place not only in the vehicle and electronics industries, which are tied so closely with the energy sector, but in other industries as well. In September, 2008 Nikkei Business published an article titled “Those who defeat batteries would defeat the world,” proposing the infinite potential of the vehicle and energy industries as a business model. Samsung SDI restructured itself over the last few years according to such a trend. In particular, we maximized management efficiency through bold restructuring of our business portfolio in 2008. In addition, we are in the process of becoming an eco-friendly and clean energy solution company based on the Li-ion battery, a new growth engine, and other eco-friendly technologies. Originally the Li-ion battery business, inaugurated in 2000, was only a small part of a display firm, Samsung SDI. However, Samsung SDI’s core axis shifted to a Li-ion battery-based energy business. The performance of this Li-ion battery business over the last decade may prove to be just the beginning of what’s to come in the new century.
Through the mid-2000s, displays occupied the majority of Samsung SDI’s sales. However, due to skyrocketing demands for high volume Li-ion batteries for mobile IT devices, including mobile phones and lap tops, etc., the sales structure of Samsung SDI has rapidly shifted from displays to rechargeable battery. It is expected that the rechargeable.
To become a leader of the future alternative energy industry, Samsung SDI is nurturing smart energy and green devices as engines for growth. We will become an eco-friendly and clean energy solution company by expanding our business areas to include products presenting a new paradigm in the energy industry and across the electronic parts, materials and services sectors.
Samsung SDI is continuing to invest in Li-ion battery technology and next-generation energy businesses to take another leap forward to become an eco-friendly and clean energy solution company devoting a total of KRW 519.6 billion in facilities and R&D in 2010. We plan to increase investment in 2011 to strengthen our mid- and large-sized batteries business such as ESS(Energy Storage System) and an advanced information system such as Global ERP. Moreover, we will strengthen our global competitiveness by expanding our cell material production lines and increase investment in overseas rechargeable battery base including our Vietnam facility in order to solidify a foundation for sustainable growth as an eco-friendly and clean energy solution company.
As of 2010, Samsung SDI had filed roughly 39,000 patent applications around the world and registered about 19,000 patents, securing R&D achievements as intellectual assets. Samsung SDI newly developed patent strategies appropriate for the green energy domain based on various experiences and know-how accumulated in the display area which have led to success in patent disputes with several overseas competitors. In the near future we look to create still more excellent patents as well as to cultivate our creative powers so as to surpass our competitors in the clean energy patent competitions which lie ahead. In 2011, we will continue to pursue breakthroughs in green energy technology by carefully verifying the results of our R&D in an effort to accurately identify practical applications. We will be focusing our efforts on identifying superior inventions with potentially significant market advantages. At the same time, we will seek to establish a highly competitive global patent portfolio while maintaining our commitment to global joint development through open innovation.
Global Leader in Rechargeable Battery Patents for Two Consecutive Years
In October 2010, Samsung SDI has ranked 1st in the world in the rechargeable battery category in the Green Energy Technology Index(GETI)1) survey for two consecutive years (2009-10). The GETI was jointly developed by ED Research, a patent consulting firm, and the Korean publication, Electronic Times. Samsung SDI outpaced its competitors based on the number and quality of US patents acquired relating to rechargeable batteries. S-grade patents with ratings of “A+”,”A” and “A-” accounted for 37.6% of the total patents held. The evaluation became an opportunity to re-confirm Samsung SDI’s superior technological capabilities in rechargeable batteries by making a huge difference from the ranking no. 2 company in the number of U.S. patents and in its GETI scores compared with the 2009 evaluation. Samsung SDI has also made notable strides in fuel cells and solar cells.
| Year | Division | SDI | company A | company B; | company C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Rank | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| GETI score | 30.3 | 18.2 | 16.3 | 14.4 | |
| No. of US Patent | 197 | 139 | 126 | 109 | |
| 2009 | Rank | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| GETI score | 23.6 | 17.7 | 15.3 | 16.6 | |
| No. of US Patent | 147 | 131 | 122 | 122 |
1) GETI(Green Energy Technology Index) : The GETI was jointly developed by ED Research, a patent consulting firm, and the Korean publication, Electronic Times. It assesses the quantity and quality of patents registered in the US in five major energy areas(rechargeable battery, fuel cell, light-emitting diode(LED), solar energy, carbon capture and storage).
