Samsung SDI paves way for prismatic batteries at Hungary plant
Samsung SDI has reportedly already begun work on expanding the facility, after successfully raising 1.65 trn won (approx. €1.05bn Euro) through a stock share scheme. The company will reportedly use these funds to renovate the first factory and expand its second factory.
In 2023, it was announced that Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia wished to purchase battery cells from Samsung SDI for their European EVs, with an acceptance contract signed for 2026 through to 2032. According to BusinessKorea, the order comprises battery cells for around 500,000 cars by 2032, including sixth-generation (P6) prismatic battery cells with NCA cathode chemistry (nickel, cobalt, aluminium) with a nickel content of 91 per cent. The battery cells also use a silicon-based anode instead of graphite-based materials. So, this presumably covers, for example, Kia’s new electrical compact SUV the EV2, which it hopes to introduce in Europe next year.
Samsung SDI is said to be moving forward ‘rapidly’ with its plans at the Göd site, which is its most important location in Europe. Built in several phases starting in 2017, it initially cost over two trillion won (approx. €1.3bn Euros). It currently has an annual capacity of 40 GWh, which is sufficient to produce batteries for around 600,000 mid-size vehicles per year.
The company currently produces two versions of prismatic batteries at the Hungarian site: a wound method and a stacked method. The new supply contracts from Hyundai and Kia primarily focus on stacked batteries, which have higher energy densities. Therefore, Samsung SDI plans to convert the Hungarian factory into a dedicated production facility for prismatic batteries using the stacked method. Accordingly, the first factory will convert to the production of stacked batteries. The company has also decided to expand the production capacity of the second factory.
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