What Samsung SDI does

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed (KOSPI: 006400) South Korean battery and electronic materials manufacturer headquartered in Yongin, with 10,000+ employees and origins tracing to Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd. (founded 1969). The company operates two business segments: a Battery segment producing lithium-ion cells across prismatic (PrismStack brand), cylindrical (46-phi), LFP, NCA, high-nickel NCM, sodium-ion, and all-solid-state chemistries, and an Electronic Materials segment covering semiconductor packaging materials and OLED solutions. Core proprietary technologies include the No Thermal Propagation (No TP) and Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI) safety systems, and a silver-carbon nanocomposite anode enabling solid-state batteries targeting 900 Wh/L energy density and 9-minute fast charging.

Samsung SDI generates revenue primarily through direct B2B hardware sales to automotive OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, Stellantis, Ford, previously GM) for EV batteries and to energy companies and data center operators for ESS/UPS/BBU applications. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, joint-venture manufacturing (StarPlus Energy with Stellantis in Indiana; paused GM venture), and distribution through Samsung SDI America for US market. Recent strategic shift pivots production capacity from EV to ESS batteries, capitalizing on AI data center power demand. Manufacturing footprint spans South Korea, Hungary (two plants, ~600,000 EV annual capacity), Indiana (StarPlus Energy), with upstream nickel secured via Canada Nickel investment and US cell sourcing via Forge Nano investment. Recent ESS contract wins exceed KRW 3.5 trillion, and the company targets return to quarterly profitability in H2 2026.

Name

Samsung SDI

Legal name

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

Website

https://samsungsdi.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Samsung SDI is a publicly listed South Korean battery manufacturer producing lithium-ion prismatic, cylindrical, and solid-state cells for global automotive OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Stellantis) and energy storage customers (utilities, AI data centers), with manufacturing in Korea, Hungary, and Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Yongin

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. EV Battery Sales: Revenue from manufacturing and supplying battery cells for electric vehicles to automotive OEMs including Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and other global automakers.
2. ESS Battery Sales: Revenue from supplying energy storage system batteries for data centers, utilities, and grid applications. Major contracts include KRW 1.5 trillion deal with US energy company and KRW 2 trillion deal with US energy developer.
3. Small Battery Sales: Revenue from cylindrical and other small-format batteries for power tools, BBU (battery backup units), UPS systems, and micro-mobility applications.
4. Electronic Materials: Revenue from semiconductor packaging materials and OLED materials, supporting steady demand from display and electronics sectors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Samsung SDI manufactures and supplies rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells in prismatic, cylindrical, and pouch-type form factors across multiple chemistries (NCM, NCA, LFP) for electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), and small-format applications such as power tools, BBU, and UPS systems. The company also produces electronic materials including semiconductor packaging materials and OLED materials as its second business segment. Products are sold via direct multi-year supply contracts to global automotive OEMs, utilities, energy developers, and battery pack manufacturers.

Product overview

Samsung SDI operates as a battery and electronic materials company with two main business segments. The Battery segment encompasses a diverse portfolio including prismatic batteries (marketed as PrismStack), cylindrical batteries (46-phi), and various chemistries (LFP, NCA, NCM, solid-state, sodium-ion). These products serve automotive OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Stellantis), energy storage system operators, UPS/BBU applications for AI data centers, and power tool manufacturers. The company is transitioning from EV-focused production to ESS batteries due to market demand shifts. The Electronic Materials segment covers semiconductor packaging materials and OLED solutions. Key differentiating technologies include No Thermal Propagation (No TP), Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI), and silver-carbon anode-less solid-state battery architecture targeting 900 Wh/L energy density.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PrismStack: Proprietary prismatic battery technology brand featuring superior safety, energy density, and proprietary stacking process with in-house safety technologies including No Thermal Propagation (No TP) and Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI)
• SBB
• StarPlus Energy

Products and services

• PrismStack Prismatic Batteries Samsung SDI's proprietary prismatic battery cell format featuring superior energy density, power output, and fire safety through No Thermal Propagation (No TP) and Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI) technologies. Sold to automotive OEMs, ESS operators, and battery pack manufacturers for electric vehicles, grid storage, and UPS/BBU applications.
• High-Nickel NCM EV Batteries High-nickel NCM (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese) lithium-ion battery cells delivering high energy density, extended driving range, long lifespan, and high power for electric vehicle applications. Supplied to automotive OEMs including Mercedes-Benz for next-generation EVs.
• LFP Batteries for Energy Storage Systems Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for grid-scale energy storage systems, offering cost advantages and safety for utility, data center, and renewable energy applications. Produced at StarPlus Energy joint venture in Indiana, USA.
• NCA Batteries for ESS High-nickel NCA (Nickel Cobalt Aluminum) battery chemistry supplied for energy storage system applications, including initial supplies under the KRW 1.5 trillion ESS supply deal with US energy companies.
• 46-phi Large-Format Cylindrical Batteries Large-format cylindrical battery cells including tabless cylindrical variants for hybrid electric vehicles, plus high-power cylindrical batteries for power tools, BBU, UPS systems, and micro-mobility applications.
• Electronic Materials Semiconductor packaging materials (advanced patterning materials) and OLED materials forming Samsung SDI's second business segment, supporting display manufacturers and semiconductor packaging customers with steady demand from display and electronics sectors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Q1 2026 operating loss narrowed by 64.2% to KRW 155.6 billion with revenue up 12.6% year-on-year to KRW 3.58 trillion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, development, core, major, critical and research.

• Forge Nano Inc.strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026$20 million investment and engineering support agreement with US battery startup building cells for defense and aerospace industries at Morrisville, North Carolina facility. Enables Samsung to source American-made cells to sidestep tariffs and comply with regulations removing Chinese materials from US military supply chain.
• KGM (formerly SsangYong Motor)developmentStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Partnership for developing next-generation EV battery pack technologies, combining automotive OEM requirements with Samsung SDI's battery expertise.
• Stellantis (StarPlus Energy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture with automaker Stellantis to manufacture EV and ESS batteries at StarPlus Energy plant in Indiana, US. Production includes NCA and LFP chemistries with mass production of LFP batteries expected Q4 2026.
• General MotorsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner$3.5 billion joint venture for EV battery plant in New Carlisle, Indiana. Project paused due to slower-than-expected EV demand and potential strategic shifts. Was expected to produce nickel-rich prismatic battery cells for future EV models.
• Korea East-West PowerstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for global ESS and renewable energy projects, combining Samsung SDI's battery technology with Korea East-West Power's energy infrastructure capabilities.
• L&FcriticalOthersKRW 1.6 trillion mid-to-long-term LFP cathode material supply agreement over three years starting 2027, with option to extend for additional three years. Materials to be used for ESS batteries at StarPlus Energy. First company outside China to invest in LFP cathode materials production with 60,000 tons/year capacity.
• Columbia UniversityresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partnership published paper in Joule on enhancing lithium-metal battery performance, advancing next-generation battery technology development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BYD: Vertically integrated Chinese EV and battery manufacturer producing LFP (Blade Battery) and NCM cells for both its own vehicles and external customers. Direct competitor in cells and packs, with the most aggressive cost position globally.
• Panasonic Energy: Japanese battery manufacturer producing cylindrical and prismatic cells for EVs (Tesla primary) and ESS. Comparable in product format diversity, automotive OEM focus, and pursuit of next-generation battery technology.
• EVE Energy: Chinese battery manufacturer producing cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells (LFP and NCM) for EVs, ESS, and consumer applications. Comparable product breadth and focus on ESS market expansion into Western markets.
• SK On: Korean battery manufacturer focused on high-nickel NCM pouch cells for global automotive OEMs. Closely comparable in Korean origin, OEM customer base (including VW and Ford), and technology roadmap including solid-state development.
• LG Energy Solution: Korea-based battery cell and pack manufacturer supplying automotive OEMs and ESS customers globally with pouch, prismatic, and cylindrical formats. Closest direct peer given overlapping Korean origin, similar customer set, and parallel EV+ESS strategy.
• CALB (China Aviation Lithium Battery): Chinese battery cell manufacturer focused on LFP and NCM chemistries for EVs and ESS, supplying major domestic and international automotive OEMs. Comparable in chemistry portfolio, prismatic focus, and ESS market targeting.
• Gotion High-Tech: Chinese battery manufacturer specializing in LFP cells for EVs and ESS, with Volkswagen as a major shareholder and customer. Direct competitor in Volkswagen Unified Cell supply alongside Samsung SDI, and expanding into US/European markets.
• CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology): World's largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer producing NCM, LFP, and sodium-ion cells for EVs and ESS across all major markets. Direct competitor in both chemistries and applications, though with substantially greater scale and Chinese cost base.

Emerging players

• Northvolt: Swedish battery manufacturer developing prismatic Li-ion cells for EVs and ESS with a focus on European markets and sustainability. Comparable in ESS ambitions and prismatic format focus, though still scaling and financially constrained.

Broad incumbents

• Envision AESC: Global battery manufacturer producing cells for EVs and ESS with plants in Japan, China, UK, France, Spain, and the US. Comparable in ESS market focus and multi-region manufacturing strategy as part of a broader renewables group (Envision Group).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SamsungSDI
• Xx.com/sdiin
• Facebookfacebook.com/samsungsdi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/samsung-sdi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Samsung SDI