Samsung SDI, BMW, and Solid Power sign agreement to work together on all-solid-state batteries (ASSB)
Partners join forces to establish global value chains for ASSB batteries across materials, cells and automobiles
"Technological competitiveness in batteries would ultimately lead to innovation in electric vehicles, and Samsung SDI will take the lead in commercializing ASSB"
SAMSUNG SDI today announced that it has signed a trilateral agreement with Germany's premium manufacturer BMW Group and U.S. battery technology company Solid Power to collaborate on an all-solid-state battery validation project.
Under this arrangement, SAMSUNG SDI will supply ASSB cells, featuring enhanced both energy density and safety, by utilizing the solid electrolyte developed by Solid Power, a leading all-solid-state battery technology company, based in the United States. BMW will develop modules and packs for ASSB cells. The three partners aim to evaluate the performance of ASSB cells based on the agreed parameters and requirements, and to integrate them into BMW’s next-generation evaluation vehicles.
[An All Solid Battery mock-up by SAMSUNG SDI displayed at InterBattery 2024]
ASSB cells use solid electrolyte instead of liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries. They offer superior safety and can achieve higher energy density compared with conventional batteries, enabling electric vehicles to drive longer ranges without having to accept disadvantages in terms of weight of the overall storage system.
The collaboration carries significance in that the three specialized companies have established a practical collaboration system and a model for global value chains for ASSB cells, aiming to pave the way for their commercialization by bringing together their complementary expertise in cells manufacturing, automaking and materials development.
BMW has selected SAMSUNG SDI as a partner, considering its long-standing trust in the battery maker built through years-long partnership, as viewed by industry observers. Also, known as the front-runner in the all-solid-state battery territory, Samsung SDI is recognized for its technological prowess in the whole new battery field.
The upcoming collaboration could draw industry attention as the long-running partnership between SAMSUNG SDI and BMW expands to the new arena.
SAMSUNG SDI and BMW have maintained their collaborative relations since 2009 when the German automotive group chose the Korean battery supplier.
"Technological competitiveness in batteries would ultimately lead to innovation in electric vehicles," said Stella Joo-Young Go, Executive Vice President of ASSB Commercialization Team at SAMSUNG SDI. "SAMSUNG SDI will work closely with great global partners like BMW and Solid Power to take the lead in commercializing ASSB."
"With SAMSUNG SDI joining our partnership with Solid Power, we gain significant momentum on our path advancing the development of new battery cell technologies," said Martin Schuster, Vice President Battery Cell and Cell Module at the BMW Group. "This global collaboration is another proof point of our overarching goal: to be always in a position to offer our customers state of the art battery technology."
"We are excited to partner with SAMSUNG SDI and BMW to progress the development of 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 closely with global leaders in automotive and battery innovation, we strive to bring ASSB technology closer to widespread adoption."
SAMSUNG SDI has been making constant efforts to build up its technological prowess for commercialization of ASSB cells.
In March 2023, SAMSUNG SDI established a pilot line at the Suwon R&D Center in South Korea, the first of its kind in the country, and began producing prototypes at the end of 2023. Sample tests are currently underway in collaboration with multiple customers.
SAMSUNG SDI has been working to boost battery capacity year after year through cell enlargement, and to complete tasks to set up manufacturing processes and supply chains for commercialization.
As expectations run high for adoption of ASSBs not only for EVs but also for robots and other new applications, SAMSUNG SDI is in talks with potential customers and intensify efforts to commercialize ASSB cells.
