Samsung SDI, a global leader in energy solutions and electronic materials, has showcased its high-capacity battery technologies for electric vehicles at the Auto Shanghai 2015.
The exhibition marks Samsung SDI’s second participation in an auto show held in China, following the Beijing Auto Show in 2014. Samsung SDI is drawing keen attention from both automotive industry professionals and ordinary visitors by displaying its automotive battery cells for EVs, modules, packs, LVS and automotive interior/exterior materials.
In line with China’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy, Samsung SDI plans to put out its flagship prismatic battery cells for EV and Plug-in Hybrid electric Vehicles at its Xi’an plant, whose construction is set to be completed toward the end of the year.
In addition, Samsung SDI is showcasing its Standardized Modules, which maximize the advantages of prismatic battery cells. Unlike pouch-shaped batteries, prismatic battery cells do not require bigger storage space when its capacity gets extended. This allows automakers to utilize its existing battery design when developing new vehicles. With Samsung SDI’s modules, in other words, automakers can standardize battery space for EVs, taking full advantage of its benefits.
Samsung SDI has also introduced the compact-design module and pack based on its high-capacity batteries. Reducing the size of batteries is one of the most important factors for EVs, whose fuel efficiency is deemed crucial. With its compact battery modules and packs, Samsung SDI has presented new solutions that enable Chinese automakers to produce EVs more efficiently.
At the auto show, Samsung SDI is also demonstrating its LVS (Low Voltage System), which is designed to replace or complement the lead acid battery installed in cars for achieving higher fuel efficiency. With the LVS, automakers can set up a mileage improvement system such as ISG (Idle Stop & Go), which helps save fuel and reduce carbon emissions.
At the Auto Shanghai, Samsung SDI’s Chemical Division has also showcased its automotive materials, helping visitors originally interested in battery business to pay attention to automotive interior/exterior materials additionally — creating a wide range of synergies.
Samsung-ARN (Xi’an) Battery Group Co.
In June 2014, Samsung SDI established a joint venture named ‘Samsung-ARN (Xi’an) Battery Group Co.’ by teaming up with Anqing Ring New Group, the best car engine piston and cylinder manufacturer in China, and Xi’an Gaoke Group, a real estate investment company. In August, it held a ground-breaking ceremony for a Chinese automotive battery plant in Xi’an, Shanxi Province.
Samsung-ARN (Xi’an) Battery Group is set to be ready for full operation within this year, offering the entire process for producing automotive battery cells for the first time among global battery makers in China. The Xi’an plant is expected to provide battery for over 40,000 EVs annually.
The mass production at the Xi’an plant will be available from October this year, targeting both Chinese and international automakers based in China. Samsung-ARN (Xi’an) Battery Group has already won orders for the full year of 2016.
Acquisition of Magna International
In February 2015, Samsung SDI acquired the battery pack business of Magna International, a leading global automotive supplier. The move is widely regarded as Samsung SDI’s key step toward expanding its battery business on the global market.
The newly acquired Magna Steyr Battery Systems, an Austria-based operating unit of Magna International, has long worked with global automakers as a frontrunner of the automotive battery back industry.
With the take-over, Samsung SDI is now poised to expand its battery pack business, completing its full portfolio of battery cells, modules and packs. The total value chain — from battery cells to modules to packs — is expected to enable Samsung SDI to strengthen its competitiveness on the global automotive battery market, particularly for automakers who find it difficult to develop their own battery packs.
“China has the full potential to become the world’s biggest electric vehicle market, even surpassing the growth of the existing IT industry,” says Nam Seong Cho, CEO and President of Samsung SDI. “The completion of the Xi’an plant will help solidify our local production base in China. By offering solutions that customers want in a proactive way, Samsung SDI will make continued efforts to take a leading position in the Chinese electric vehicle market.”
