What 三星SDI does

Samsung SDI (삼성SDI) is a South Korean battery and electronic materials manufacturer founded in 1970 and headquartered in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. The company is publicly listed on the Korea Stock Exchange under ticker 006400. It operates two reporting segments: a battery division producing lithium-ion cells in LFP, NCM, and NCA chemistries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), IT devices, and power tools; and an electronic materials division. Core technologies include the PrismStack prismatic cell format, "No TP" thermal propagation prevention architecture, and Enhanced Direct Injection (EDI) cell manufacturing process. The company also unveiled an all-solid-state battery prototype at Interbattery 2026 targeted at physical AI applications.

Samsung SDI's revenue model is B2B, anchored on multi-year supply agreements with global automotive OEMs and energy customers. In Q1 2026 the company reported sales of 3.5764 trillion KRW, with the battery segment contributing 3.3544 trillion KRW and electronic materials 222 billion KRW. Customer relationships span European OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, signed April 2026), North American OEMs and energy companies through the Starplus Energy joint venture with Stellantis, and US ESS buyers. The company is in a recovery phase: Q1 2026 sales grew 12.6% year-over-year and the operating loss of 1,556 billion KRW represented a 64.2% reduction from the prior-year quarter's 2,785 billion KRW loss, indicating significant operational improvement although profitability has not yet been restored.

Strategic priorities evident in recent activity include securing upstream LFP cathode supply (1.6 trillion KRW deal with L&F, March 2026), localizing US LFP/ESS capacity through SPE from Q4 2026, expanding ESS market presence (approximately 2 trillion KRW US LFP ESS contract signed at end of 2025), and pursuing next-generation chemistries such as all-solid-state batteries. Safety and regulatory credentials, including UL Solutions Indoor LSFT certification for UPS batteries obtained in July 2026, support positioning in AI data center backup power and indoor ESS deployments.

Name

三星SDI

Legal name

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

Website

https://samsungsdi.com.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Samsung SDI is a South Korean manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, UPS, and IT applications, supplying global automotive OEMs and energy customers through proprietary prismatic cell technologies including PrismStack, No TP, and EDI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591), Battery Manufacturing (335910), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (3359)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery Cells (Li-ion, LFP, Sodium-ion, Lead-acid, NiMH) (IMAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Pack Electronics Manufacturing (EUAFABAJ), Solid-State Battery Materials & Cell Manufacturing (EUAFABAH), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Battery Electronics (IMAGAHAC), Battery Pack Manufacturing & Module Assembly (EUAFABAI), Battery Cell Manufacturing (EV) (IMACACAB), E-Mobility Batteries & Swappable Packs (Consumer) (CRACASAI)

Keywords

• Lithium-ion batteries
• Energy storage systems
• Automotive battery cells
• Electronic materials
• Prismatic battery cells

Headquarters

HQ city

Yongin

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Battery Business: Sales of lithium-ion batteries for automotive (EV), ESS (Energy Storage Systems), UPS, BBU, power tools, and small devices. Major revenue driver with 3.3544 trillion KRW in Q1 2026 sales.
2. Electronic Materials Business: Sales of semiconductor materials and display materials. Generated 222 billion KRW revenue in Q1 2026 with operating profit of 21 billion KRW.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Samsung SDI manufactures and sells lithium-ion batteries in prismatic and cylindrical formats for electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), battery backup units (BBU), and small devices such as power tools and IT products. The company also produces electronic materials for semiconductor and OLED/display manufacturing. All output is sold through a B2B quotation model to battery pack manufacturers, system integrators, automotive OEMs, and energy companies.

Product overview

Samsung SDI operates as a battery and electronic materials manufacturer organized into two main business divisions: Batteries and Electronic Materials. The Battery segment encompasses a comprehensive product portfolio including LFP and high-nickel NCM/NCA prismatic and cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for automotive (EV), energy storage (ESS/UPS), IT devices, and power tools applications. Key technology brands include PrismStack (prismatic battery technology with No TP and EDI safety features) and Samsung Battery Box (SBB). The Electronic Materials segment provides materials for semiconductor and display manufacturing. Samsung SDI serves global automotive OEMs (including Mercedes-Benz) and energy companies, with production facilities in Korea, Hungary, China, and the US (via Stellantis joint venture Starplus Energy). The company is developing all-solid-state batteries and lithium-metal battery solutions for next-generation applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Batteries Prismatic LFP batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles, featuring thermal stability and cost efficiency, targeted at energy companies and ESS system integrators.
• High-Nickel NCM/NCA Batteries

Quantifiable outcome

• 64.2% reduction in operating loss (from 2785 billion KRW to 1556 billion KRW) in Q1 2026 compared to previous year

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mercedes-BenzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Multi-year supply contract for next-generation EV batteries. Samsung SDI will supply high-nickel NCM batteries for Mercedes-Benz's upcoming small electric SUVs and coupe models. The partnership also includes joint development of next-gen battery technology for future mobility.
• L&FcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026LFP cathode material supply contract for ESS battery production. Samsung SDI will procure approximately 1.6 trillion KRW worth of LFP cathode materials from L&F over 3 years starting 2027, with priority supply option for additional 3 years. This partnership enables de-China supply chain for US ESS market penetration.
• East West PowerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026Partnership for domestic and international ESS and renewable energy projects collaboration.
• KGM (Korea GM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Joint development of next-generation EV battery packs for KGM vehicles.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture Starplus Energy (SPE) established in Indiana, USA. SPE manufactures EV and ESS batteries, with LFP battery production starting Q4 2026. Strategic localization for US market to comply with PFE regulations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Northvolt: Swedish battery manufacturer developing and producing lithium-ion cells for EVs and ESS at gigafactories in Sweden and Germany. An emerging Western peer that overlaps with Samsung SDI in ESS and European automotive customers.
• Farasis Energy: Chinese battery developer producing NCM and emerging solid-state cells, with German production (formerly teamed with Daimler) and global EV partnerships. Comparable to Samsung SDI in high-nickel cell supply and emerging solid-state R&D.

Broad incumbents

• BYD: Vertically integrated Chinese EV and battery manufacturer producing both LFP (Blade Battery) cells and full vehicles. A leading low-cost LFP competitor that increasingly supplies third-party OEMs and competes with Samsung SDI in both EV and ESS markets.
• CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology): World's largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer producing LFP and NCM cells across EV, ESS, and small battery markets. While primarily focused on the China market, CATL competes with Samsung SDI globally on EV cell pricing and is rapidly expanding into Europe/US.

Direct peers

• Gotion High-Tech: Chinese LFP-focused battery cell manufacturer with growing US footprint (including a gigafactory in Illinois). Competes directly with Samsung SDI's recently secured LFP supply and US production strategy.
• EVE Energy: Chinese battery manufacturer of cylindrical LFP and prismatic EV/ESS cells, including the recent expansion into European/US markets. Competes with Samsung SDI's new LFP-for-ESS strategy.
• SK On: Korean EV battery manufacturer (formerly SK Innovation's battery business) producing NCM pouch cells for major global OEMs and building US capacity. Direct rival in the high-nickel EV cell segment with overlapping customer and policy exposure (US IRA).
• Panasonic Energy: Japanese battery manufacturer producing cylindrical and prismatic lithium-ion cells, with deep exposure to US-based EV production (notably Tesla). Competes with Samsung SDI's high-nickel NCM offering in global OEM supply chains.
• LG Energy Solution: Korea-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer with overlapping EV and ESS product portfolios, similar prismatic/pouch cell strategy, and competing supply relationships with global automotive OEMs. LGES is Samsung SDI's closest direct peer in cell chemistry, customer base, and target geographies.
• CALB (China Aviation Lithium Battery): Chinese battery cell manufacturer producing LFP, NCM, and prismatic cells for EVs and ESS. Direct competitor in the prismatic LFP ESS segment where Samsung SDI's recent US ESS contracts position it.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SDISamsung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%E4%B8%89%E6%98%9Fsdi

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about 三星SDI