The global battery exhibition, 'Interbattery 2025,' concluded on the 7th, and this year, the solid-state battery technology, often referred to as the 'game changer,' garnered significant attention. Countries around the world, including South Korea, are accelerating efforts to secure a lead in solid-state battery technology in preparation for the upcoming supercycle, with commercialization expected to ramp up within the next 2-3 years.

According to industry reports on the 9th, at this year's 'Interbattery,' companies showcased advanced technologies such as the 46mm cylindrical battery and immersion cooling technology, but the most prominent technology was solid-state batteries. A battery consists of cathode material, anode material, electrolyte, and a separator. Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte used in lithium-ion batteries with a solid one.

In the case of the existing liquid electrolytes, although ions can move easily between the anode and cathode, there was a fire risk due to their flammability. However, solid-state batteries offer superior energy density and output compared to traditional batteries, while also reducing the fire risk, which is considered a major vulnerability in electric vehicles. Additionally, the driving range is extended, significantly improving performance. If commercialization is successful, solid-state batteries could be a 'game changer' capable of reshaping the battery ecosystem, making it a technology that companies are betting their future on.

Samsung SDI, which has already completed the construction of its solid-state battery pilot line, aims to begin mass production in the second half of 2027. Last year, the company supplied solid-state battery samples to its customers for evaluation, and it is currently considered the fastest-moving company in South Korea in this field.

LG Energy Solution plans to establish a pilot line for solid-state battery development within this year. Once mass production technology is secured, the company intends to fully commercialize solid-state batteries by around 2030. However, it is reported that LG Energy Solution is putting in tremendous effort to accelerate this timeline.

Battery material companies are also intensifying their research and development efforts related to solid-state battery technology. EcoPro, for example, has started considering mass production this year, and if the results are positive, it plans to enter mass production by 2026.

While South Korean companies are leading in the development of solid-state batteries, the technological pace in the United States, China, and Japan is also accelerating. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD plans to begin testing its sulfide-based solid-state batteries in 2027 and aims to begin mass deployment in electric vehicles by 2030. Initially, it will be installed in premium electric vehicles, gradually expanding the number of vehicles with this technology, with a goal of using it in most vehicles by 2032. The world's largest battery company, China’s CATL, is also conducting research and development with a goal of small-scale production of solid-state batteries by 2027.

Meanwhile, U.S. battery startup QuantumScape plans to begin producing solid-state batteries at a scale of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) starting this year.

Factorial Energy has successfully completed road testing of the EQS vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. Compared to the existing EQS lithium-ion battery, the driving range has increased by up to 25%, enabling a maximum driving range of 1,000 km.

In Japan, Toyota plans to release vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries by 2027. Japan is evaluated as having a significant technological advantage, with a substantially higher number of solid-state battery-related patents compared to competing countries.

Jeong Kyung-hwan, Executive Director of LG Energy Solution's Business Strategy Division, stated, "Next-generation batteries face various process-related challenges, and the key to commercialization lies in securing mass production technology beyond just the process. The next 3-5 years will be the 'golden time' for securing product competitiveness, cost innovation, and building a flexible product portfolio."

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