Samsung SDI introduced automotive batteries and engineering plastic materials targeting the North American market at the North American International Auto Show.
Samsung SDI showed off automotive batteries for electric vehicles as well as advanced materials for the interiors and exteriors of conventional vehicles at the 2015 Detroit Auto show.
This was the first time for Samsung SDI to display automotive batteries and materials together at a trade show in the wake of its merger with Cheil Industries’ materials business unit last July. Samsung SDI aims to expand its competitiveness in automotive batteries to lightweight and functional materials for automobiles so that it would provide leading battery and material solutions in the global automotive market that satisfy both manufacturers and end customers.
Samsung SDI introduced four types of automotive batteries: First, 120Ah High Capacity Battery Cell designed to support long driving distance. Compared to 160km driving range of a car that adopts 60Ah cell, 120Ah cell enables cars to drive over 300km with one time charging, circling Jeju Island one and a half times along the coastal highway.
Second, Battery Module interchangeable between Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and Electric Vehicle (EV). Samsung SDI developed PHEV and EV cells of the same size to enable automotive manufactures to standardize the battery space in their cars, further expanding its leadership to automotive battery standardization.
Third, Compact Design Cell of which height is reduced to that of conventional cylindrical batteries. Compared to previous Hybrid Electric Vehicle cells, Compact Design Cell height has been reduced by over 20mm while maintaining the same level of capacity.
Lastly, Low Voltage System (LVS). This system replaces lead-acid batteries or can be used along with the existing batteries. When installed, the battery system provides Idle Stop & Go (ISG)-like improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO₂emissions.
Samsung SDI also presented various eco-friendly materials with improved functionality for interiors and exteriors of automobiles, which is an attempt to extend Samsung SDI’s engineering plastic material competitiveness in IT devices and home appliances to automotive industry.
One of Samsung SDI’s attention-grabbing technologies is ‘Non-Painting, Metallic Material’. This material does not require painting process as it has its own color. It is strongly resistant to scratch-induced peeling and discoloration. The material has been applied for the center fascia of Ford’s Mondeo 2015 model. It won the top award in materials at the SPE Automotive Innovation Award in 2014 with its technological breakthroughs.
