🍠 Samsung SDI: The race to solid-state batteries and the need to verify the numbers - 2026.10.25

Hi, it’s Sweet Potato 🍠 Today I’m here with a story about Samsung SDI’s solid-state batteries. There’s plenty of anticipation, which also means plenty of figures to verify, so let’s take it step by step.

Solid-state batteries: a race for speed or a case for caution?

Samsung SDI is accelerating solid-state battery development, targeting mass production in the second half of 2027 ^[1]. On the 6th of this month, it signed an agreement with battery materials maker EcoPro BM to jointly develop cathode materials and solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries ^[1]. It’s strengthening the supply chain for key materials and diversifying cell formats, which looks like the final stretch of preparation for mass production ^[2].

But the same article notes that LG is taking a cautious approach ^[1]. In other words, a race for speed and a case for caution are playing out on the same stage. So I’d first ask whether this difference reflects a technological gap or simply a difference in the pace of development.

Patent rankings and outside forecasts: how much should we trust them?

A Seoul Economy TV video reported that Samsung SDI had risen to second place globally in the solid-state battery field ^[6]. However, the patent count mentioned in the video title needs to be checked against the original source, so I’ll leave it out here. It’s best to treat the ranking as a claim made in the video.

There are also forecasts about when solid-state batteries will become mainstream. According to a Business Post report, one forecast puts their mainstream adoption in the mid-2030s ^[3]. This is an outside forecast, not a plan confirmed by the company. The real question is how the gap between Samsung SDI’s 2027 mass-production target and this forecast will be bridged.

The Hungary plant and corporate governance: other developments on the sidelines

Samsung SDI reportedly responded head-on to pollution concerns surrounding its Hungary plant by releasing real-time air-quality information ^[4]. The move was presented as a direct response to the controversy. There’s also news from the boardroom. On the 25th, business circles reported that major electronics affiliates, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Samsung SDI, plan to formally discuss a report on the pool of CEO succession candidates as an agenda item at board meetings this week ^[5]. The system, previously used by only some affiliates, appears to be expanding—a development being viewed as a move to strengthen board-centered management ^[5].

The stock price, the numbers, and the questions that remain

The stock has been on a roller coaster lately. The October 19 closing price was ₩591,000, up +11.51%, while on October 22 it fell -7.54% to ₩515,000. The October 23 close was ₩484,500,, down -5.92%. The more news accumulates, the more important it becomes to examine the connection between stock movements and expectations separately for each date.

Here’s how I’d sum up the four opinions: this material is centered on confirmed facts, so no irreconcilable disagreements have emerged yet. I see this as a period when bullish and bearish scenarios coexist, and I think the next thing to watch is whether earnings figures can support the expectations ⚖️ 🎯

📰 Reference News (5)

1

Conflicting strategies for the ‘dream battery’… Samsung races ahead, LG takes a cautious approach, and China’s view is shifting

네이버뉴스 · 2026.10.25

📰 View original

2

[The Battery Transformation ②] Samsung SDI races to secure key solid-state materials… speeding up preparations for mass production

네이버뉴스 · 2026.10.24

📰 View original

3

Forecast sees solid-state batteries going mainstream in the ‘mid-2030s’; focus on whether Samsung SDI’s mass-production target for next year is realistic - Business Post

비즈니스포스트 · 2026.10.24

📰 View original

5

Samsung expands CEO succession management system… strengthens board-centered management

네이버뉴스 · 2026.10.25

📰 View original

📺 Reference Videos (1)

6

YouTube

Samsung SDI suddenly rises to ‘No. 2 in the world for solid-state batteries’… 712 patents put 2027 mass production on a fast track

▶서울경제TV·2026.10.24