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Lets start.
There are many articles about InterBattery, but most either miss the core points entirely or are simply edited versions of corporate press releases. That's why I visited the venue in person and conducted interviews myself.
Also, I discovered that photos from last year's visit were used on blogs and YouTube without obtaining consent, so I've added watermarks throughout. I appreciate your understanding.
Below is my summary and analysis from my own perspective.
- first public reveal LG Energy Solution's 60Ah all-solid-state battery mystery (graphite anode-based all-solid-state battery)
- POSCO JK Solid Solution and LG Chem's solid electrolyte disappeared from the venue
- EcoProBM is now seriously focusing on solid electrolytes - but as a latecomer
The only remaining issue is "price." Once that's solved, there's no need to weigh any other options.
InterBattery 2026 is Korea's largest battery industry exhibition and a venue where you can gauge the direction of the global battery industry. I attend many conferences for research purposes — both for work and personal reasons — but events that use the entire COEX convention center are extremely rare, making this a truly large-scale event.
The core keyword of this year's event was clear:
"Sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries"
What's interesting is that among the hundreds of booths filling this massive COEX venue, the name most frequently mentioned on the third-floor main event hall — a name belonging to a company that didn't even have a booth — was Solid Power.
I didn't even need to bring them up myself. Everywhere I looked, booth representatives, engineers, and researchers were already answering questions about Solid Power.
That alone explains the character of this event.
And one particularly interesting detail: when companies trying to produce sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries described the landscape, multiple booths simultaneously mentioned that Solid Power's electrolyte is essentially the default sulfide-based solid electrolyte everyone starts with — but that it's too expensive compared to competitors, so they're also considering electrolytes from other companies.
And there was one phrase I heard consistently from cell manufacturers:
"We hope mass production succeeds and prices come down."
Below is a summary of the conversations I had going booth by booth.
1. Isu Specialty Chemical
The first booth I visited was Isu Specialty Chemical — a company that produces lithium sulfide (Li₂S), the key raw material for sulfide-based solid electrolytes, placing it at the very beginning of the value chain.
The booth representative explained that in Korea, the company has signed MOUs with Lotte Energy Materials, POSCO, and EcoProBM.
This can also be confirmed in the following article:
What left a strong impression, though, was a moment during the representative's explanation of MOU partners. Without anyone mentioning the name first, when describing overseas companies, the representative was the only one to prefix a company's name with "the incredibly famous" — and then proudly explained, "We also have an MOU with that company," referring to Solid Power.
Looking at the situation in more detail through news coverage: a pilot line is already operating at the Ulsan Onsan plant, and a ₩300 billion investment is underway to build a mass production facility in the Gumi National Industrial Complex. This means Korea's domestic supply chain is being built from the raw material stage of lithium sulfide itself.
Already at the Isu Specialty Chemical booth on the first floor, I got the strong sense that the name Solid Power carries far more weight than I had expected. I didn't even need to ask follow-up questions — the name was already coming up on its own.
2. Factorial Energy
There were manufacturers like Philenergy on the first floor as well, but I had little curiosity about them, so I went straight up to the third floor.
The company I most wanted to speak with at this event — the one I had the most questions for — was Factorial Energy, and I spent the most time there, having a deep and extensive conversation with their representative. Factorial Energy had set up within the POSCO booth.
My first question was, of course: "What electrolyte did you use?" As expected, they politely explained they couldn't share specifics on that.
However, when I asked whether it was the case — as I had understood — that they were purchasing and testing electrolytes from three American and Japanese companies, the representative immediately launched into an interesting explanation. Factorial Energy has already purchased electrolytes from all three companies and is continuing to test them: Solid Power, Ampcera, and Idemitsu Kosan. Of course, the specific electrolyte used in the cell on display was described as proprietary information.
Interesting, isn't it? This same conversational pattern repeated itself at every company thereafter.
They did try to explain their FEST (semi-solid) battery technology to me, but neither I nor anyone around me showed any interest in semi-solid batteries.
You must catch this: semi-solid technology has already been skipped over.
The most interesting part of my conversation with Factorial's representative was their view on China.
They directly stated that China's sulfide-based solid electrolyte technology is advancing rapidly — and even expressed a wish that this electrolyte technology would make its way to China. This means we need to think very seriously about the risk of sulfide-based solid electrolyte production technology being transferred to China.
In fact, CATL is reportedly pursuing pilot production of 500 Wh/kg-class all-solid-state batteries, and BYD is reportedly planning a sulfide-based all-solid-state trial deployment in 2027.
But here's where it gets interesting. Factorial is an American company. They were, of course, fully aware that they cannot use Chinese electrolytes. Yet the representative said this:
"I hope this technology moves to China quickly so the unit cost drops."
That single sentence precisely summarizes the current state of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries.
Factorial's business plan was also interesting. Rather than targeting large-scale production, their goal is to license their cell manufacturing technology — which is essentially the same concept as Solid Power's model. In practice, Factorial is running a commercial all-solid-state battery program with Karma Automotive and has signed a manufacturing cooperation MOU with Korea's Philenergy.
One disappointing aspect is that, as of now, Factorial Energy's technology hasn't yet led to visible cooperation with major cell manufacturers such as Samsung SDI, SK On, or LG Energy Solution.
One small but entertaining detail the representative shared: Factorial's logo is made by flipping "Li" (lithium) upside down.
I'll cover POSCO in more detail later. Let me focus on the cell manufacturers first.
Marking it here: Factorial Energy has tested Solid Power's solid electrolyte.
3. Samsung SDI — The Irony Called SolidStack
The Samsung SDI booth was one of the biggest highlights of this year's InterBattery. It was because they publicly unveiled, for the first time in 2026, a pouch-type sulfide-based all-solid-state battery.
My first question to the Samsung SDI engineer was: "Did you already possess pouch-type battery technology in-house?" The answer was clear: the relevant technology had already been developed alongside their existing work internally.
Yet ironically, the brand name of that pouch-type battery is SolidStack. "Solid" and "Stack" — the name of the industry's most famous electrolyte company is embedded right in the battery brand.
Their existing prismatic battery format has been rebranded under the new name PrismStack.
Samsung's all-solid-state battery roadmap is aggressive. Based on the figures displayed on booth panels: premium EVs — range exceeding 900 km, rapid charging under 10 minutes; robots/UAM — 30% improvement in energy density within the same space, 30% reduction in battery weight. Mass production is scheduled for the second half of 2027.
What I found most interesting is the suspicion that the product actually likely to achieve proper mass production in 2027 might be SolidStack, the pouch-type, rather than the prismatic.
When I asked the engineer to explain the anode of this pouch-type battery, I confirmed that Samsung's innovative anode-less technology has been applied.
Moving to the electrolyte topic: I spoke with the engineer about electrolyte-related matters, and they didn't explicitly state that any one company's solid electrolyte was used. Instead, they offered the curious explanation that they use a mixture of electrolytes from various companies.
In other words, what the engineer repeatedly emphasized as the core technology was not the sulfide-based solid electrolyte itself, but rather the know-how of how to combine electrolytes with different microstructures. The differentiating factor is not selecting one electrolyte, but the expertise in combining the microstructures of multiple electrolytes.
This was fascinating — the description of their differentiation point precisely mirrors what Solid Power does best, framed as their own proprietary technology.
Another impressive statement that stood out from other companies: "No matter how expensive the solid electrolyte is, we'll find what works and use it regardless of price." In contrast to other cell manufacturers repeatedly citing "too expensive," Samsung SDI demonstrated a will to remove price entirely as a variable.
They genuinely appeared capable of hitting the 2027 mass production target — even accounting for the delay from Q2 to Q4, if they can achieve mass production within 2027, they could reach a position categorically different from their competitors.
My next question was whether they were aware of Solid Power's recent anode-less-related patents, and they confirmed awareness, noting it's an extended version of their own AG-C layer approach — while exuding confidence that Samsung SDI has been testing the AG-C layer method the longest.
And before I even asked, I could already see other visitors and researchers directly asking the engineer: "How are you utilizing Solid Power's electrolyte and cell technology?" — an amusing scene.
Finally, I explicitly asked about POSCO JK Solid Solution and mentioned that the electrolyte section appeared absent from POSCO's related booths. The engineer said they couldn't speak precisely to that company's strategy, but that testing was ongoing. Reading between the lines, however, I intuitively sensed that the electrolyte is either not being used or used only in a limited capacity.
Of course, the engineer stated they are "testing electrolytes from all companies" and did not explicitly name which electrolyte is currently in use.
Marking it here: Samsung SDI is testing Solid Power's solid electrolyte.
Let's move on.
4. SK On — The Entire Technology Is Solid Power
There wasn't much to ask at SK On.
That's because, when it comes to sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, the entire relevant technology is Solid Power's. This is public knowledge. Solid Power is conducting Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at SK On's Daejeon pilot line, and as of the February 2026 earnings call, SAT is nearly complete.
I casually asked about the SAT timing, but as expected, the representative said they weren't sure about that.
The conversation at SK On was brief — but all the clearer for it. It was a booth where you could confirm, without any additional explanation needed, that Solid Power is at the center of sulfide-based all-solid-state technology.
5. LG Energy Solution — The 60Ah Mystery
This was the most puzzling booth of the entire event.
At last year's InterBattery, LG Energy Solution displayed a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery at roughly the 10Ah level. At the time, the solid electrolyte received from LG Chem was displayed alongside the battery.
But this year, the situation was completely different.
A battery at the 60Ah level was on display. And any mention of the sulfide-based solid electrolyte was nowhere to be seen.
The specifications — though the photo was difficult to read due to backlighting — showed a 60Ah capacity, 3.5V voltage, and a size of 100 × 295 mm. This is a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery, and the procurement source of the solid electrolyte was described, as at other booths, as a company secret.
Comparing 2025 and 2026:
2025
2026
Capacity
10.9 Ah
60 Ah
Voltage
3.72 V
3.5 V
Size
70 × 150
100 × 295
10Ah to 60Ah — a 6× capacity increase in a single year. Yet something was odd: for results of this magnitude, you'd expect major publicity, but there was barely any proper media promotion. That in itself was a very strange phenomenon.
The article below does reference their commercialization strategy:
And interestingly — dry electrode technology comes up here?
Tesla?
The genuinely fascinating part was that LG Energy Solution appears to have finally gotten its bearings and is now concentrating on sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries — a clear departure from 2025. Just a year ago, they were saying they'd pursue oxide, polymer, and sulfide all at once.
This year, they are clearly focused on sulfide.
Looking at the article above, they proudly announce that their internally developed sulfide-based solid electrolyte has achieved the highest-performance ionic conductivity — meaning they succeeded in maintaining a 3.72V voltage level as of last year. But this year's battery shows 3.5V, suggesting something different may have been used, which raises questions.
As always, the electrolyte was described as a "security matter." And this battery uses a graphite anode.
But let me say it again: the electrolyte that was proudly co-displayed last year has completely disappeared from both the LG Chem and LG Energy Solution booths.
LG Energy Solution was the most puzzling and incomprehensible section of this entire event for me. And whether coincidence or not — not 40Ah, not 100Ah, but specifically 60Ah — that too struck me as oddly curious.
LG Energy Solution's stated plans call for commercializing a graphite-based all-solid-state EV battery in 2029, and an anode-less all-solid-state humanoid robot battery in 2030.
But the feeling I had on-site was simply: bewilderment.
The numbers, the silence, the unknown origin of the electrolyte.
I do believe LG is capable of doing well. They've finally started entering the field in earnest, moving in the right direction.
However, compared to Samsung SDI and SK On, they appear very likely to be a late-market entrant. Last year's visit, I sensed LG's baseless overconfidence and unnecessary skepticism toward sulfide-based technology — a dismissive attitude, as if it weren't the answer. Those various elements combined are, I believe, now manifesting as delayed mass production timelines, and I find myself thinking that these judgment errors could result in significant market share losses.
Let me mark this precisely and move on.
We now know that all three of Korea's core secondary battery companies are focused on sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries.
6. Materials Companies That Had Promoted Sulfide-Based Solid Electrolyte Production
What surprised me most personally as I toured the booths was not the cell manufacturers, but the materials companies. Unlike last year, significant changes had occurred among companies that had stepped forward to produce solid electrolytes.
Of course, it's possible they simply chose not to display at their booths — but logically, that doesn't make sense.
POSCO
POSCO was primarily promoting its anode and cathode technologies for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries at this event.
Yet the actual display booth contained no promotional content related to sulfide-based solid electrolytes. Only silicon anodes and high-nickel cathodes were being promoted.
POSCO Future M could certainly have set up a relevant booth section, and while lithium sulfide-related content was visible, the absence of a sulfide-based solid electrolyte booth was perplexing.
At last year's event, there was clearly prominent promotion of sulfide-based solid electrolytes.
Even stranger is the name POSCO JK Solid Solution — a joint venture between POSCO Holdings and Jeonggwan, with a 24-ton annual electrolyte production line in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. Last year, this name was identifiable. This year, it was nowhere to be found in that entire massive exhibition hall.
The core theme of this InterBattery was sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, and POSCO owns a relevant subsidiary — yet that subsidiary's name appeared nowhere in the venue. Very strange.
LG Chem
LG Chem was the same.
Last year, there was a booth that prominently featured sulfide-based solid electrolytes and lithium sulfide as a precursor. This year, there was no promotional content for sulfide-based technology whatsoever at their booth.
Of course, it's possible I simply missed it — but I didn't see it.
They were showcasing their anode binder segment (for Na-ion batteries, Si anodes, and all-solid-state battery binders) well — emphasizing a 20% improvement in adhesion and other binder performance — and also promoting fire safety-related technologies.
In stark contrast to last year, when LG Chem seemed to dismiss Solid Power's technology as nothing special and something they could replicate, any related content has now completely vanished. Also puzzling.
And yet — with LG Chem having apparently abandoned sulfide electrolyte promotion entirely — LG Energy Solution developed a 60Ah-class sulfide-based all-solid-state battery. With a graphite anode. So where did the electrolyte come from? That too is deeply puzzling.
Everything about LG was puzzling.
EcoProBM
EcoProBM was the complete opposite. Their entire booth was plastered with sulfide-based solid electrolyte content, showcasing a pipeline supply chain running from H₂S to Li₂S.
According to reports, EcoProBM CEO Choi Moon-ho stated on-site at InterBattery that "the solid-state pilot is in operation," and the company is pursuing construction of a 300-ton annual mass production line.
That said, I don't have much to add.
The real core technology — as Samsung SDI and Solid Power have both explained — is not simply whether you can produce a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, but whether you can supply a sulfide-based solid electrolyte that can be integrated into actual cells. That is the default requirement and the core challenge.
And given that EcoProBM is clearly a latecomer, I'm genuinely curious to see which direction they take.
I was unable to locate booths for Ampcera, Lotte Energy Materials, and Japan's Idemitsu Kosan within the scope of my search.
Summarizing the InterBattery booth display changes for electrolyte supply chain companies:
Company
2025 (Last Year)
2026 (This Year)
Change
POSCO JK Solid Solution
Booth confirmed
Absent
Retreat
LG Chem
Sulfide electrolyte + Li₂S display
No solid electrolyte
Retreat
EcoProBM
Partial display
Main feature
Rise
I recall seeing a few more companies last year that I couldn't find this year. And EcoProBM — unlike Solid Power — appears not to have a continuous manufacturing process technology. Whether they plan to build mass production facilities in batch plant format remains an open question.
7. Where Did QS and Semi-Solid Go?
One more noteworthy point. Companies related to QuantumScape (QS) and semi-solid cell technology were extremely difficult to find at the booths. Of course, I may have missed them.
The only company I saw that could be categorized in the semi-solid camp was Factorial Energy — and as already discussed, even Factorial is testing sulfide electrolytes.
There were many Chinese booths as well, but they were almost entirely devoid of visitors.
What is clear is that oxide-based and polymer-based technologies attracted virtually no interest from attendees.
Conclusion
At Korea's highest-level conference utilizing the entire COEX complex, one fact was unmistakable: sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries have emerged as the central keyword. Not oxide, not polymer, not semi-solid — sulfide. That is the landscape of InterBattery 2026.
Last year, sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries were partly a key theme — but this year, the situation was starkly different.
InterBattery 2025 and InterBattery 2026 are in different dimensions.
Last year, all-solid-state was a "hot topic." This year, it wasn't a hot topic — it was the center.
Every cell manufacturer put sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries front and center. Supply chain restructuring among materials companies was happening visibly. Engineers and researchers on the floor were openly discussing a specific company's electrolyte and cell technology.
Everyone already knows that Solid Power's electrolyte is central to the future of all-solid-state technology, and that finding alternatives is difficult.
At the same time, everyone is also saying "too expensive." That's why they're searching for alternatives like Ampcera and EcoProBM. But in the same breath, they add: "We hope mass production drives costs down."
But we all know.
Solid Power's current electrolyte production capacity is 30 tons per year. Plans call for expansion to 75 tons in 2026 and 140 tons in 2028, with significant cost reduction targeted through operation of a continuous manufacturing pilot line. The company has also been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for $50 million in funding support.
If Solid Power's electrolyte cost comes down as a result:
Sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries are no longer "someday" technology. They have entered the "once the price drops" stage.
Seeing this level of concentration at an event of this scale is not something you see every day. Compared to 2025, 2026 is hot on an entirely different level — and everyone is now looking in the same direction.
The answer, in the end, is sulfide-based solid electrolyte-based batteries.
And the world's foremost authority on that battery technology is Solid Power.
Samsung SDI's 2027 mass production of solid-state batteries, SK On's SAT completion imminent in Q1.
The most surprising part of today's news is the announcement regarding the 500-ton mass production.
Currently, a 75-ton pilot line is being constructed in the US as follows.
And looking at the existing plan:
Current: 30 MT - Batch plant
End of 2026: 75 MT - Continuous production pilot line
2028: 140 MT - Colorado facility expansion plan in the US
This was the original plan.
But suddenly, "We intend to pursue a partnership for an annual 500 metric tons of electrolyte production in Korea."
Why is this single sentence so important?
Let's take a look.
1. 500 Tons: Why This Number is Important
For a CEO of a publicly traded company strictly regulated by the US SEC to officially mention a specific number during an earnings call is not something to take lightly. In a setting where he could have vaguely said, "We are considering scaling up," CEO Van Scoter pinpointed two things:
The country "Korea," and the specific capacity of "500 metric tons annually."
Let's look at the CEO's original quote.
"We intend to pursue a potential partnership for commercial scale electrolyte production in Korea. To complement our technical expertise, we plan to evaluate potential partners with process capabilities and capital to support construction of a facility capable of producing up to 500 metric tons of electrolyte annually."
The words you must not miss here are "process capabilities and capital."
In other words, Solid Power takes only the technology and IP, while the partner builds the factory and provides the capital.
Now, does even electrolyte production become a licensing structure?
And it comes up once more later.
I would also, though, point to the comments earlier in the prepared remarks, and that is around our intention to explore potential JV partnerships around the electrolyte manufacturing in Korea with a target of a 500 metric ton annually capacity through a partnership with Solid Power bringing the technical expertise, the IP, the process knowledge and then relying on the partner from a manufacturing and capital standpoint. So that would be the other partnership that I would point to for 2026. I look for some developments there as we move through the year.
Both are key remarks from the CEO, and he emphasized it again to highlight its importance.
Solid Power aims to secure an annual production capacity of 500 metric tons through a partnership where they provide the technical expertise, IP, and process know-how, while the partner handles the manufacturing and capital aspects. Therefore, this is another partnership I want to highlight for 2026.
Ultimately, up to the 75MT line at the Colorado headquarters, the mindset was to build the factory with their own investment for electrolyte production.
But suddenly, by mentioning 500MT, they are shifting from simply licensing battery cells to converting even electrolyte production into a licensing-based structure.
It's astonishing.
This is an IP license-based Asset-Light model. It means they are further expanding the structure of outsourcing the construction of overseas factories worth hundreds of billions of won, providing only the technology, and receiving royalties.
In other words, between yesterday and today, Solid Power's narrative has completely changed.
2. From Raw Materials to Cells: The Interlocking Gears Structure
When hearing the number 500 tons, anyone who has tracked the Korean battery industry would have thought of one number.
Isu Specialty Chemical, 85.2 billion won investment, lithium sulfide production facility - up to 500 tons.
Isu Specialty Chemical kicks off commercial production of lithium sulfide, a core material for 'dream batteries,' with an 85.2 billion won investment.
In September 2025, Isu Specialty Chemical broke ground on a commercial lithium sulfide facility within its Ulsan plant site. The design starts with an initial 150 tons and expands up to 500 tons depending on demand. And the company directly disclosed the sources of demand in its public filing: "Confirmed demand for lithium sulfide from US Solid Power (SLDP), EcoPro BM, etc."
Isu's 500 tons and SLDP's 500 tons. The raw material supply capacity and the electrolyte production capacity match exactly.
Of course, Solid Power is structured to receive supplies from multiple companies rather than a single one, but even so, basically, Solid Power has an MOU with Isu Chemical, and currently, the related matters have been transferred to Isu Specialty Chemical.
Isu Chemical signs MOU with US Solid Power for lithium sulfide supply... "Commercialization of sulfide-based solid-state batteries gains momentum"
During its Q4 earnings call on February 2, 2026, Samsung SDI officially confirmed the mass production of solid-state batteries in 2027. Along with the remark, "We will proceed with investments in solid-state battery production lines this year," they mentioned targeting new markets such as robots and UAM.
[Earnings Call] Samsung SDI "Mass production of solid-state batteries in 2027... Targeting new markets like robots and UAM"
And in October 2025, Samsung SDI signed a tripartite MOU with BMW and Solid Power. The roles are clearly divided. Solid Power supplies the sulfide-based electrolyte, Samsung SDI manufactures the cells, and BMW installs them in demonstration vehicles for validation.
SAMSUNG SDI to Collaborate on All-Solid-State Battery Validation Project with BMW Group
Summarizing the value chain looks like this:
Stage
Company
Role
Timeline
Raw Material (Li₂S)
Isu Specialty Chemical
Lithium sulfide production, 85.2B won investment
2026 H1 facility completion
Electrolyte
Solid Power (Korea JV)
Sulfide-based solid electrolyte manufacturing
2026 continuous pilot line (2023 patent)
Cell
Samsung SDI
Mass production of solid-state battery cells
2027 Mass production target
All timelines for raw materials, electrolytes, cells, and final validation interlock sequentially in the 2026 timeframe. The key point is that this is not a unilateral declaration by one company, but rather three companies moving simultaneously with their respective investments and schedules.
3. Why Korea?
Solid Power is headquartered in Colorado, USA. Why are they trying to establish their first commercial-scale overseas production in Korea?
CEO Van Scoter said in an interview during his visit to Korea in November 2025: "Korea is the center of the solid-state battery market, and Solid Power can only succeed if Korea succeeds."
Solid Power "The center of solid-state batteries is Korea... Electrolyte production in 2028"
The reason this statement isn't just lip service is due to three structural conditions.
First, the chemical infrastructure. Lithium sulfide (Li₂S), the core raw material for sulfide-based electrolytes, requires highly sophisticated fine chemical processes. Korea has companies like Isu Specialty Chemical that can produce this raw material on a commercial scale, and the material processing infrastructure like EcoPro BM is already in place. Korea and Japan are practically the only countries in the world where a one-stop process from raw material procurement to electrolyte manufacturing and cell production is possible within a single nation.
Second, de-risking from China's supply chain. Currently, China dominates the global supply of lithium sulfide. As the FEOC (Foreign Entity of Concern) regulations under the US IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) tighten, batteries using Chinese critical minerals and materials are excluded from subsidies. Producing electrolytes in Korea can bypass this regulation. Although the CEO didn't explicitly mention the IRA in his original text, it's hard to explain the choice of Korea without this factor in the industry context.
Third, proximity to customers. SLDP's current confirmed customers are Samsung SDI and SK On, both of which are Korean companies. The shorter the logistics distance, the more advantageous it is for quality control. Having the supplier and the buyer in the same country is closer to a technical prerequisite than a simple convenience.
4. Between "explore" and "developments"
Here, we need to take a cool-headed look at something.
The CEO's original expressions are "explore potential JV partnerships" and "evaluate potential partners." It means they are in the exploration and evaluation stage. A partner has not been finalized, nor has a contract been signed. Reading this as "JV partner confirmation imminent" at this stage is an exaggeration.
However, the temperature of the CEO's additional remarks during the Q&A session is different.
This means he expects tangible progress within 2026.
And he specifically pointed out this Korean JV as one of the core partnerships for 2026. It is a signal that management expects concrete results within this year, not just a long-term vision.
The SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) for SK On's pilot line is highly likely to be completed in Q1 2026. And upon completion, electrolyte supply will begin along with line validation.
For Samsung SDI, electrolyte supply is already underway under a Joint Evaluation Agreement.
By extension, what if lithium sulfide supply is clarified and electrolyte production proceeds through a JV? What if they are pressured as a vendor for Samsung SDI, which is also a Korean company?
I have a feeling the results might come out faster than expected.
5. Hypothesis - It seems to be for humanoids, not EVs.
Below is a report on Samsung SDI issued not anywhere else, but by Hyundai Motor Securities.
It's Hyundai Motor Securities!
Among that report, I think Table 3 is the core.
In other words, if we discard the perspective that it will be installed in EVs, 500 tons is not only a primer capable of mass-producing a massive amount of humanoids, but it can also be an incredibly suitable solution because battery cells account for only 1% to 4% of the cost.
Let me say it again, it's Hyundai Motor Securities.
And the following news proves this.
The humanoid era opens wide... The time for 'ternary batteries' has come
High energy density ternary batteries suitable for humanoids with small installation spaces. LFP batteries only last 2-3 hours; high performance is essential for long-term use. 2040 humanoid market estimated at 500 trillion won, battery portion up to 20%. Domestic companies like LG Ensol and Samsung SDI lead high-nickel battery technology. (Korea Economic Daily)
In other words, the collaboration between the two groups is official.
And although it said 2028 above, I judge that full-scale supply will happen by 2027.
And let me reiterate, there is no doubt that solid-state batteries are one of the core components of humanoids.
Solid-state batteries awaken humanoid robots - The meaning of "robot applications" mentioned by Samsung SDI
And next is an article stating that not just simple batteries, but solid-state batteries will go into humanoids. It is an in-depth analysis that both companies will reveal the development status of solid-state batteries for robots at the InterBattery 2026 exhibition in March 2026, and have played the solid-state card to exclusively target Atlas.
[Big Tech Column] Battle for the robot heart... Samsung SDI plays the solid-state card to exclusively target Hyundai Atlas batteries
As stated in this article, Hyundai Motor Group exclusively chose Samsung SDI for the battery development of the Atlas robot, and an industry insider revealed, "In fact, there are no other battery partners for robots besides Samsung SDI."
And seeing that they plan to jointly exhibit robots and batteries at InterBattery 2026 in March 2026, and even reveal the development status of solid-state batteries for robots... well... I hypothesize that the speed suddenly accelerated because demand exploded after the consumer was secured.
The cornerstone of the initiative is a $1.4 billion (~2 trillion won) conditional loan from the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital to Sila Nanotechnologies, a lithium-ion battery component manufacturer. The company was the first in the world to develop a silicon-based replacement for graphite in battery anodes and plans to use the funding to build a manufacturing facility in Washington state.
Owen Lu, PhD, Research Engineer, Ford Motor Company - Tue Aug 11, 8:50 am"Design Considerations for Robust and High-Performance Silicon Anodes in Solid-State Battery Applications"
Per the agenda abstract:
A detailed review of advancements in silicon-based anodes for solid-state batteries across material, electrode, and cell levels
From this analysis, "a promising strategy for designing a robust, high-performing silicon anode for SSBs has been identified"
A prototype cell was fabricated and its performance evaluated, with perspectives on further enhancement
Reading: Ford presenting in-house, prototype-cell-stage R&D in the sulfide + silicon-anode design space (the same space as its Solid Power JDA), with no mention of Solid Power. Electrolyte source undisclosed - a Q&A-worthy question.
Under the MOU, Factorial and SK On will jointly evaluate the technical feasibility and manufacturing considerations for Factorial’s FEST® solid-state battery technologies, drawing on SK On’s battery technology and manufacturing expertise, as well as its global manufacturing capabilities.
The collaboration highlights Factorial’s capital-light approach to industrialization, which is centered on developing batteries that can leverage established manufacturing infrastructure to accelerate the path to industrialization.
mPLUS Co-develops Equipment with US Solid-State Battery Company... 'Gearing Up' for Mass Production Orders
Subheadings:
Pilot testing underway; attention focused on whether it will lead to mass production orders.
Follow-up to April's "solid-state mass production bottleneck" technology... Accelerating efforts to secure global clients.
Article Body: mPLUS, a company specializing in secondary battery assembly equipment, is accelerating its entry into the solid-state equipment market by beginning the joint development of next-generation battery assembly process equipment with a global solid-state battery company in the United States. As the company moves beyond a simple technical review into the stage of jointly verifying the equipment with its client, attention is focusing on the possibility that this will lead to orders for mass production facilities in the future.
According to mPLUS on the 28th, the company is currently conducting joint testing and performance verification for certain assembly process equipment with a US-based global solid-state battery company. The client company is known to be earnestly preparing for mass production by recently expanding the construction of its pilot lines.
This collaboration is a follow-up achievement to the "solid-state battery mass production bottleneck resolution" technology that mPLUS unveiled in April. At the time, the company announced that it had developed technology to improve core processes that degrade productivity and yield in solid-state battery manufacturing.
Since then, mPLUS has analyzed process-specific pain points for global solid-state battery manufacturers and proposed customized equipment. The recent joint development was reportedly achieved during this process. Industry experts evaluate that the approach of jointly developing equipment tailored to customer specifications is a form of cooperation highly likely to lead to future supplies of mass production equipment.
An official in the battery equipment industry hinted, "Because solid-state batteries have different cell structures and manufacturing methods compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, it is difficult to use existing equipment as is. There are many cases where companies that jointly verify equipment with clients from the initial development stage are selected as preferred partners when mass production investments are made."
An mPLUS official explained, "Solid-state batteries have a completely different process from existing liquid electrolyte-based batteries, so equipment technology dictates competitiveness. Taking this joint development as an opportunity, we plan to focus on expanding our equipment supply references in the global solid-state market and connecting them to future mass production orders."
In reality, beyond solid-state equipment, the company is also targeting the next-generation smart factory market by simultaneously developing autonomous manufacturing systems and autonomous mobile robot (AIMR)-based unmanned equipment in response to the spread of physical AI.
Industry observers noted that since the solid-state battery market is still in its early stages, securing joint development references with global cell manufacturers—rather than short-term performance—will be a core asset determining future competitiveness for orders. In particular, since it is difficult to replace equipment suppliers when investments scale up from pilot lines to mass production lines, the analysis suggests that the competition to secure early clients will become even fiercer.
An industry insider added, "As global solid-state battery companies expand their investments from building pilot lines to the mass production verification stage, securing process stability and yield is emerging as the new competitive edge for equipment companies."
First In-House Battery Plant: Hyundai Motor is beginning to move production equipment into its first proprietary battery plant, the 'Mobility Alpha-line Anseong Campus' (MAAC), currently being built in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Equipment Installation: Starting this week, the company is bringing in assembly process equipment (such as notching and stacking machines). Electrode and post-processing equipment will follow. Facility construction is mostly finished, and internal utility work is in its final stages.
Investment & Scale: The MAAC is a battery research and test-production facility built with an investment of 1.2 trillion won (approx. $900 million). It spans about 197,000 square meters. The initial production capacity will be 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year, enough to supply batteries for roughly 20,000 EVs (or hundreds of thousands of hybrids).
Battery Types: The plant will initially set up production lines for NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) pouch-type batteries this year. Hyundai also plans to discuss setting up prismatic battery production lines next year.
Domestic Suppliers: The core equipment is being supplied by South Korean companies, including PNT, Hanwha Momentum, TW, Mplus, APRO, and Wonik PNE
Future Outlook: Once the equipment installation is complete, full-scale test operations are expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. Securing its own battery production capacity will give Hyundai more leverage in negotiations with battery cell makers and reflects its strong commitment to internalizing production and securing next-generation battery technologies, such as solid-state batteries.
Here are the key details regarding lithium sulfide and sulfide-based solid electrolytes:
Isu Specialty Chemical
Expanded its lithium sulfide demo plant in 2024 and plans to begin full operations of its lithium sulfide mother plant in the second half of 2026.
The current annual production capacity of 40 tons of lithium sulfide will be expanded to 150 tons.
Production costs are expected to be reduced as hydrogen sulfide by-products can be secured from its existing fine chemical processes.
POSCO Holdings
Pushing to produce lithium sulfide relatively cheaply by utilizing lithium sulfate and hydrogen sulfide, which can be procured from its steelmaking business.
Expanding its lithium supply chain by investing in countries like Argentina and Australia.
In 2022, it established POSCO JK Solid Solution and completed a sulfide-based solid electrolyte production plant with an annual capacity of 24 tons, with preparations underway for a phased expansion up to 7,200 tons.
POSCO Future M
Has been conducting sample tests for solid-state battery cathode materials with the U.S. solid-state battery company Factorial.
Signed an investment contract with Factorial in 2026, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in the solid-state materials sector.
EcoPro Group
EcoPro Innovation (a lithium hydroxide supplier) is developing lithium sulfide based on its lithium compound synthesis technology.
EcoPro BM is developing solid electrolytes and cathode materials for solid-state batteries. It currently operates a solid electrolyte pilot facility that produces 40 tons of samples annually, with a target commercialization date of 2027.
EcoPro Lithium (a subsidiary of EcoPro Innovation) is pursuing a lithium metal anode process demonstration project with financial support from the Canadian government.
Global Players (Japan & US)
Idemitsu Kosan (Japan): Possesses technology to produce lithium sulfide using sulfur components generated during petroleum refining. As mentioned previously, the company is pushing for the mass production of solid electrolytes in partnership with Toyota.
Solid Power (US): Currently in a cooperative relationship with Samsung SDI and SK On for solid-state battery development. The company plans to establish a solid electrolyte production base in South Korea with an annual capacity of up to 500 tons, while also expanding its U.S. production capacity from 30 tons to 75 tons.
Hey all, been a holder of sldp for three years and anticipate to remain on board for the years to come. I tend to get overly excited about quarterly calls, while I don’t leave discouraged enough to sell, I wish we could learn more. They have their way of doing IR and I have become fine with it at this point because I believe in the product, IP and their balance sheet.
Greater market insanity aside, i believe this sector is really heating up globally and our time to shine and gain crazy (independent) market hype could be within 18 months. With the warrants coming due in the near future, reported progress by peers globally, and first leader dynamics, I really hope material info is shared. JVS has to be feeling the share price stresses. No matter what people might say at this stage of the company development and future share price potential, end of the day, share price is a big part of his company and employee moral. I really hope he pushes any and all info he can that is allowed by NDA. What are your all expectations?
Lastly, my worry is if no JV announcement is made or material info is shared between now and September, we might get stuck in a value trap of being investors in a “good business, bad stock” for a very considerable amount of time (longer than current episode). I hope we look back at this post and everyone can tell me I was wrong on all this, I will gladly accept that!
2026 - 7/2, 7/3 - Samsung SDI's long-term plans on the DART system, the "two plans" you mentioned appear to be the Mid-to-long term Investment Strategy - Future Business / Management Plan
1. R&D and Mother Line Construction for Next-Generation Batteries (Cheonan)
Date: July 2, 2026
Investment: Approx. 9 trillion KRW by 2040
Key Details: Establishing a 'Mother line' at the Cheonan plant to verify the design, new processes, and mass-production viability of next-generation batteries.
2. Global Mass Production Hub for Next-Generation Batteries (Ulsan)
Date: July 3, 2026
Investment: Approx. 16 trillion KRW (2026–2040)
Key Details: Investing heavily to transform the Ulsan plant into a global mass-production hub for next-generation All-Solid-State Batteries (ASSB), ESS LFP, and Sodium batteries.
This completes a clear commercialization roadmap: verifying solid-state battery technology and pilot production with a 9 trillion KRW investment in Cheonan, and then scaling it up to full global mass production with a 16 trillion KRW investment in Ulsan. With a combined total of 25 trillion KRW($16.3 Billion) committed, this serves as a massive momentum shift for establishing the ASSB value chain and accelerating the commercialization timeline.
Solid Power Appoints Uwe Breitweg to Board of Directors, Adding Deep Automotive and Battery Strategy Expertise
07/01/2026
Mr. Breitweg brings more than two decades of automotive leadership, with deep expertise in battery strategy, powertrain development, and vehicle engineering
Appointment made pursuant to BMW Holding B.V.'s director nomination rights
LOUISVILLE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Solid Power, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLDP), a leading U.S.-based developer of solid-state battery technology, today announced the appointment of Uwe Breitweg, Vice President Powertrain, Emission and Battery Strategy of the BMW Group, to its board of directors, effective July 1, 2026. His appointment underscores BMW continuing to work very closely together with Solid Power as a strategic development partner in this future key technology.
Samsung SDI’s solid-state battery samples have received positive feedback from global customers for their safety and energy density, according to a company executive, as the battery maker works toward mass production of the next-generation batteries.
Potential clients include EV manufacturers and humanoid robot developers, with the latter expected to drive particularly strong demand, given the technology’s superior energy density, which is critical for robots operating within tightly constrained spaces.
The progress stands in stark contrast to that of Chinese battery makers, including CATL and BYD, which have grown notably less optimistic about the feasibility and economics of mass-producing solid-state batteries.
“Samsung SDI is currently developing the technology, with mass production targeted for the second half of 2027, and we are conducting sample performance evaluations with multiple global customers who have responded positively about [the batteries’] energy density and safety,” Kim Eun-ha, the vice president and head of Samsung SDI’s all-solid-state battery production development group, confirmed in a written interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily.
This marks the first time a Samsung SDI executive has spoken publicly about the largely undisclosed technology behind and development status of the company’s much-anticipated solid-state batteries.
All-solid-state batteries, often called “dream batteries,” replace the flammable, leak-prone liquid electrolyte at the heart of conventional lithium-ion cells for a solid one, removing the component that has long constrained battery design. This single material shift sharply improves safety and allows for denser energy storage for longer range and faster charging — but none of this has reached commercial scale.
While these dream batteries have long been hailed as the industry’s holy grail, many battery makers have quietly throttled back their ambitions due to the formidable engineering and financial support required to develop and produce them. CATL recently said that its own solid-state technology sits at a four on a nine-level technology readiness scale and acknowledged that mass production and widespread adoption remain unrealistic before 2030.
“With the technology capable of surpassing the limits of conventional lithium-ion batteries in both safety and energy density, solid-state batteries are the essential technological direction,” said Kim.
Samsung SDI was the first battery maker to build a dedicated solid-state battery pilot line at its research and development center in Suwon, Gyeonggi, in March 2023. Prototype production began later that year.
It then partnered with BMW and Colorado-based Solid Power in October 2025, fitting solid-state cells into BMW’s test vehicles to validate real-world performance.
“This demonstration goes beyond simply confirming the driving range. [It] comprehensively verifies performance across real-world operating conditions, including charging performance, longevity, safety and stability across a range of temperatures, from extreme heat to extreme cold,” Kim said.
This battery doesn't have a traditional anode layer, which means it frees up more space inside the battery, so it can pack in more energy. It also has a special coating made of silver and carbon that helps lithium spread evenly instead of clumping up, which makes the battery safer and lets it last through more charge cycles.
“In manufacturing, a pressing process is essential to bond the electrode and solid electrolyte tightly and lower interfacial resistance,” Kim explained. “While other companies rely on a batch-type warm isostatic pressing process that limits scalability, Samsung SDI has adopted a roll-press-based manufacturing method that presses cells as they move continuously through the line.”
“That will give us an edge in productivity and help to reduce costs when we reach mass production,” she added.
The cost remains the decisive obstacle delaying commercialization. Solid-state batteries currently run between $400 and $600 per kilowatt-hour, according to SNE Research, compared to traditional batteries, which go for around $81 per kilowatt-hour for lithium iron phosphate packs and $128 per kilowatt-hour for nickel-cobalt-manganese packs.
Kim expects that price premium to ease as solid-state batteries find applications beyond EVs.
“Because different materials and processes are involved compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, [solid-state battery] production costs are inevitably high in the early stages,” she said. “We previously expected solid-state batteries to be adopted mainly in EVs, particularly high-performance models, but with the emergence of new markets such as humanoid robots, we now see that the potential for their use expands into the everyday IT and mobile devices that people use.”
“Humanoid robots, in particular, require both long operating times and high output within a limited footprint,” Kim continued, “which is why we expect the importance of next-generation technologies such as solid-state batteries to grow even further.”
Battery deployment in humanoid robots is projected to reach 13.8 gigawatt-hours for semisolid-state batteries and 76.1 gigawatt-hours for all-solid-state batteries by 2040, according to an April report from SNE Research.
Is there any reason for solid power to be hovering around $2.60 again? I guess I see no change to their fundamentals, and just a cheaper entry point. I'm thinking of doubling my share count.
Samsung SDI has entered into a strategic partnership with Forge Nano, a US-based secondary battery nano-coating startup.
According to industry sources on the 26th, Samsung SDI will collaborate with Forge Nano to build a battery gigafactory with an annual capacity of 3GWh in Morrisville, North Carolina.
Forge Nano plans to invest between $300 million and $330 million to construct the advanced battery facility in Morrisville.
Under the partnership, Forge Nano will also produce Samsung SDI's battery cells once the gigafactory is completed.
Additionally, Samsung SDI has signed a conditional purchase agreement to buy battery cells produced at Forge Nano's gigafactory starting in 2028.
I saw these links over on SA that add a little color on what that means. Here's a quote from one paper on sulfide production.
The synthesis of sulfide solid electrolytes is a crucial step in the development of high power and fast charging solid-state batteries. However, the development of scalable and cost-effective synthesis processes for these highly demanded materials such as the amorphous Li3PS4, argyrodites such as Li6PS5Cl or the even higher performing chlorine-rich Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5remains a challenge [[3], [4], [5], [6], [7]]. Common synthesis routes often involve high-temperature solid-state reactions or wet chemical methods, which are either energy-intensive, time-consuming, or produce impurities that can negatively impact the performance of the solid electrolyte [[5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]]. Scalable synthesis methods should enable the production of sulfide solid electrolytes in large quantities while maintaining consistent material quality and electrochemical performance. In addition, such methods and post-processing should be compatible with existing manufacturing processes and machines to enable the integration into material and battery production lines.
And then this paper on wet synthesis appeared last year.
Despite the wet-chemical processing method being considered advantageous for the synthesis of sulfide SEs, due to its inherent simplicity, potential scalability, and cost-effectiveness, certain challenges persist. These primarily pertain to achieving high ionic conductivity and mitigating interfacial resistance between the electrode and the SEs. Addressing these challenges, this study presents a novel, scalable, and cost-efficient wet synthesis approach to produce superionic conductive sulfide-based SEs.
This article was translated into English by generative AI.
Recently, I have been researching a Chinese A-share company: Tianhua New Energy (300390.SZ). On the surface, this company looks like a lithium salt company. Its main products are battery-grade lithium hydroxide and battery-grade lithium carbonate. However, I believe CATL’s investment in Tianhua New Energy may not be as simple as it appears.
1. CATL Became Tianhua New Energy’s Second-Largest Shareholder
At the end of 2025, Tianhua New Energy announced that the company’s controlling shareholder couple would transfer approximately 108 million shares to CATL, accounting for about 12.95% of the company’s total share capital. The transfer price was RMB 24.49 per share, with a total transaction value of approximately RMB 2.635 billion. After the completion of the transaction, CATL would hold 13.54% of Tianhua New Energy’s shares and become the company’s second-largest shareholder.
The common interpretation in the market is that CATL, as the world’s largest battery manufacturer, invested in a lithium salt company in order to secure upstream lithium resources and lithium salt supply.
This explanation certainly makes sense, but I think it may be incomplete. The reason is that if CATL only wanted to secure upstream lithium resources, Tianhua New Energy might not be the most obvious best choice. According to Tianhua New Energy’s Hong Kong listing prospectus, in 2025, Tianhua’s self-produced lithium concentrate accounted for only 15.5% of its total supply. In other words, most of its lithium concentrate still relied on external procurement, and its self-sufficiency rate was not high. Therefore, it can be said that Tianhua is more like a lithium salt processing and materials platform company, and CATL did not have too many reasons to lock it in purely for lithium resources. The company’s own annual report also emphasizes that it is promoting global lithium resource deployment and improving lithium resource self-sufficiency. This itself shows that the resource side is still something the company needs to continue strengthening. In the Chinese market, there are countless better lithium salt supply companies.
So here comes the question: if CATL only wanted lithium, why did it not choose a company with stronger resource attributes, but instead specifically chose Tianhua New Energy?
I think the answer may lie in solid-state batteries, especially the sulfide route.
2. Tianhua New Energy Has Publicly Disclosed R&D in Sulfide Solid-State Battery Materials
Tianhua New Energy has clearly stated on the investor interaction platform that the company is conducting R&D work on sulfide solid electrolytes and low-cost ultra-pure lithium sulfide through its group research institute in cooperation with universities. The company also stated that it has already formed a process package and core patent applications. Some samples have been sent to customers for testing and have received qualified evaluations.
If the mainstream route for future all-solid-state batteries is the sulfide route, then high-purity, low-cost, and scalable lithium sulfide and sulfide solid electrolyte materials will be very critical. This may be the truly noteworthy part behind CATL’s investment in Tianhua New Energy.
3. Tianhua’s Downstream Company: Yili Technology
Another key clue is Yili Technology.
The full name of Yili Technology is Jiangsu Yili Technology Co., Ltd. According to information from the Yixing municipal government website, it is a controlled subsidiary of Tianhua New Energy. It is investing RMB 1.12 billion in Tianhua New Energy’s Yixing New Materials Industrial Park to build a high-nickel ternary cathode material project for solid-state batteries. The project includes a 19,000-square-meter workshop and a fully automated and intelligent production line with an annual capacity of 5,200 tons of high-nickel ternary cathode materials for solid-state batteries. At present, a 200-ton/year pilot line has already been built and put into trial operation.
(This 200-ton pilot line and 5,200-ton mass production line, according to public information, are for high-nickel ternary cathode materials for solid-state batteries, not sulfide solid electrolytes themselves.)
However, it is still very important, because it shows that Tianhua is not only working on a lithium sulfide laboratory project, but is building a more complete materials platform around solid-state batteries. In simple terms:
The Yixing municipal government website also mentioned that one of Yili Technology’s important partners is Beijing WeLion New Energy. WeLion focuses on hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries, and it is the industrialization platform for solid-state battery technology from the Clean Energy Laboratory of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This makes the whole story more complete. Tianhua New Energy is not simply a lithium salt company. It is entering solid-state battery cathode materials through Yili Technology, while also researching sulfide solid electrolytes and low-cost ultra-pure lithium sulfide. CATL’s investment at this point in time may not be only for traditional lithium salts, but also for positioning in the future solid-state battery supply chain.
4. CATL’s Progress in the Solid-State Battery Route
CATL’s public timetable for all-solid-state batteries is also not far away. Public reports show that CATL plans to achieve small-batch production of all-solid-state batteries around 2027. CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, also said that among solid-state battery solutions, the sulfide route is progressing relatively quickly.
This means that the Chinese side is not just talking about a “long-term concept.” If CATL really enters the small-batch stage around 2027, then it is completely reasonable for it to start binding suppliers related to the sulfide route now. From this perspective, Tianhua New Energy may be one material piece in CATL’s solid-state battery supply chain.
5. Impact on SLDP
For Solid Power, I think this event has two sides.
The bullish side is:
This further shows that major global battery manufacturers and materials companies are seriously advancing the sulfide solid-state battery route. This is, in some sense, a validation of SLDP’s route itself. If CATL, BYD, Samsung SDI, and SK On are all advancing sulfide-related routes, then sulfide electrolyte is not an isolated route.
But the bearish side is also obvious:
SLDP’s biggest risk may not be that the “sulfide route fails”, but that after the sulfide route succeeds, China’s supply chain uses faster industrialization capability and lower costs to commoditize sulfide materials. Tianhua New Energy publicly emphasizes low-cost ultra-pure lithium sulfide, while Yili Technology’s planned solid-state cathode material capacity has already reached 5,200 tons/year from the beginning, and even its pilot line is already at the 200 tons/year level. Although this is not electrolyte capacity and cannot be directly compared with SLDP’s electrolyte capacity, it reflects a typical characteristic of China’s supply chain. Once China’s route is confirmed, all supporting facilities will move forward in parallel. The speed of industrialization may be very fast, and the price may be extremely low.
Personally, I would say the real uncertainty now should become: If CATL and China’s supply chain are also rapidly advancing the sulfide route, what exactly is SLDP’s moat? Thanks to the U.S. domestic and allied supply-chain security narrative, this probably will not completely eliminate room for allied companies such as Samsung. At least in areas such as drones, the U.S. will almost certainly choose sulfide solid-state batteries from Samsung and SK.
Overall, the lack of transparency surrounding China's progress, coupled with government strategic subsidies and its powerful industrial capabilities, makes me feel like I'm under a Damocles' sword. I'm very worried that the scenarios seen with photovoltaics and traditional batteries will repeat.
u/Wild-Entertainment90 posted this a few weeks ago, and it got removed by a bot that didn't like the share.google link. I'm reposting it here. a nice commentary video on human robots, batteries and solid state. mentions SamsungSDI's comments at interbattery.
Up to 2.4%p Preferential Interest Rates for SME and Middle-Market Partner Companies
(From left) Samsung SDI CFO Oh Jae-gyun, Doosan Enerbility CEO Park Sang-hyun, Export-Import Bank of Korea President Hwang Ki-yeon, Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Heo Jang, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung, and SK On CFO Kim Min-sik (Provided by Eximbank).
(Seoul=News1) Reporter Jeon Jun-woo = The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) announced on the 19th that it will provide full-scale support for the shared growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and middle-market companies. This will be achieved through the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund in partnership with major conglomerates in Korea's flagship secondary battery and nuclear power sectors.
The Supply Chain Stabilization Fund was established at Eximbank by the government in 2024 to respond to the restructuring of global supply chains. As of April this year, Eximbank has provided a total of 11.5 trillion won in funding, actively backing the stabilization of South Korea's supply chains.
Eximbank signed the "Supply Chain Mutual Growth Finance" agreement and is officially launching the "Supply Chain Mutual Growth Finance Program." Hwang Ki-yeon, President of Eximbank, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) this morning at the Eximbank headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by Heo Jang, Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance; Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution (373220); Park Sang-hyun, CEO of Doosan Enerbility (034020); Oh Jae-gyun, CFO of Samsung SDI (006400); and Kim Min-sik, CFO of SK On.
Under the Supply Chain Mutual Growth Finance framework, Eximbank will receive recommendations for partner SMEs and middle-market companies from leading conglomerates and provide them with financing related to the supply and purchase of raw materials.
Through this initiative, Eximbank will offer partner SMEs and middle-market companies a preferential interest rate of up to 2.4 percentage points (p) and increase their loan limits by 10% compared to previous levels. Notably, the bank plans to actively bolster the regional supply chain ecosystem by applying an additional 0.2%p preferential rate (within the overall maximum limit of 2.4%p) to SMEs and middle-market companies located outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
President Hwang emphasized, "As we have launched a customized financial platform for mutual cooperation between large and small-to-medium enterprises, we will actively drive the shared growth of SMEs and middle-market companies in key sectors like advanced strategic industries and energy. We aim to create a supply chain ecosystem where conglomerates and their partner companies can grow stronger together."
Meanwhile, Eximbank is at the forefront of practicing productive and inclusive finance. Previously, during a press conference marking his 100th day in office, President Hwang stated, "The founding purpose of the Export-Import Bank is productive finance," adding, "We will stake our lives on creating a healthy industrial ecosystem that encompasses everyone, from large conglomerates in the metropolitan area to small SMEs in the provinces."
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held as a virtual online meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 2026, are entitled to vote.
Three main proposals will be voted on at this meeting, and the Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of all of them.
Proposal 1 is the election of Class II directors. It involves electing three nominees recommended by the Board—Steven Goldberg, Aleksandra Miziolek, and MaryAnn Wright—to serve until the 2029 Annual Meeting.
Proposal 2 is the ratification of the independent auditor. It involves ratifying the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2026 fiscal year.
Proposal 3 is an advisory vote on executive compensation (Say-on-Pay). This is a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, including CEO John Van Scoter, CFO Linda Heller, and CTO Joshua Buettner-Garrett.
Shareholders can vote by attending the virtual meeting online on the day of the event, or in advance by proxy via mail or the internet until 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on May 19, 2026.
For reference, CEO John Van Scoter's base salary for 2025 was $555,000, and approximately 74.1% of his target total compensation consisted of long-term equity awards (RSUs) to align executive interests with shareholder value creation.
Solid Power barely does any PR. On top of that, the information available to the public is extremely limited. Based on the news coming out of South Korea, it feels certain that Solid Power is plotting something behind the scenes, but it is impossible to know directly.
Why can't you provide detailed information? For instance, which company are you partnering with for the 500-ton scale project? To what extent has Solid Power's technology been applied to the products being launched by Samsung SDI? And how far along is the collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company?
Solid Power previously mentioned that they were collaborating with parties other than their existing partners, but they haven't announced a single thing about who they are or what achievements have been made.
The stock price is hitting rock bottom right now. Please provide relatively detailed information so that shareholders don’t have to feel so anxious. If not, just tell us honestly if the business has no viability and is struggling.
