Samsung SDI to show off mockup of 'dream battery'

A rendered image of Samsung SDI's booth at the InterBattery 2023, which kicks off on Wednesday at Coex, southern Seoul. [SAMSUNG SDI]

Samsung SDI will display a mockup of its solid-state battery at the upcoming InterBattery 2023 expo to demonstrate the company's status as a frontrunner in the race to develop "dream batteries."

The Korean battery maker said Tuesday it will show off several types of batteries at the three-day exhibition set to begin Thursday at Coex in southern Seoul, including prismatic, cylindrical, pouch, and button batteries, along with a mockup of its solid-state battery currently under development.

Solid-state batteries are touted as "dream batteries" due to their dramatically high energy density and safety, but no company has yet been able to commercialize them.

Samsung SDI is one of the frontrunners in the solid-state battery race, with its pilot plant in Suwon, Gyeonggi, scheduled for completion in the first half of the year.

Two vehicles equipped with Samsung SDI batteries will be on display, a BMW i7 and Volvo FM Electric heavy truck.

For the Volvo FM Electric truck, the event marks its introduction to the Korean public.

The electric truck comes with 28,000 units of cylindrical batteries with over 91 percent nickel content, offering the high energy density required for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

“Samsung SDI strives to provide battery solutions that materialize a sustainable future for everyone,” said Michael Son, executive vice president at Samsung SDI.

“Those coming to InterBattery 2023 will see what Samsung SDI holds for the battery industry: a differentiating technological edge.”

Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, InterBattery is Korea's biggest battery event, bringing together around 450 battery and materials companies from 15 countries and drawing more than 40,000 visitors.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]