Superconductors, Solid-State Batteries and New Materials — 2026-10-19
Greater Bay Technology declared the start of series production for solid-state battery cells in Guangzhou, marking a potential milestone for commercializing the technology ahead of China's 2030 mass-production targets. Meanwhile, South Korea's battery giants, Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution, are sharpening their distinct strategies for 2027-2030 commercialization, with Samsung SDI pushing for premium market leadership and LG focusing on cost innovation.
Superconductors, Solid-State Batteries and New Materials — 2026-10-19
GBT Launches Series Production of Solid-State Cells
Greater Bay Technology (GBT), a battery developer backed by GAC Group, announced on October 14 that it has begun series production of solid-state battery cells in Guangzhou. This move positions China to potentially accelerate the timeline for all-solid-state battery (ASSB) adoption, which Beijing’s five-year plan targets for large-scale use by 2030. The announcement follows recent collaborations between CATL and Changan to develop 1,500 km range solid-state cells, signaling intense competition among Chinese automakers and battery firms to lead the commercialization race.
Samsung SDI Targets 2027 Mass Production for Premium Market
Samsung SDI is accelerating its push for solid-state battery commercialization, targeting mass production in the second half of 2027. The company is strengthening its supply chain for core materials and collaborating with key customers to secure a foothold in the premium EV and human-robotics markets. This aggressive timeline contrasts with LG Energy Solution’s strategy, which prioritizes cost innovation and targets EV-specific solid-state batteries for 2029 and robot applications for 2030.
Changan and CATL Expand Joint Venture for SSB and Sodium-Ion
Automaker Changan and battery giant CATL announced a collaboration to produce solid-state cells with a 1,500 km range and to establish 75 GWh of battery lines. The partnership expands their existing joint venture, Times Changan, to cover both solid-state and sodium-ion technologies. This move underscores the dual-track approach in China, where sodium-ion is gaining traction for cost-sensitive applications while solid-state is pursued for high-end performance.
Sodium-Ion Standards Take Effect, Cost Parity Expected by 2028
Two national standards for sodium-ion batteries in China, covering safety (GB48072) and other requirements, took effect in August 2026. Industry analysts now predict that sodium-ion batteries will reach cost parity with lithium-ion batteries by 2028, facilitating large-scale commercialization. This development cements sodium-ion’s role as a key complementary technology to lithium-ion, particularly for energy storage systems and entry-level EVs.
Local view
South Korean media is closely watching the divergent strategies of its battery champions. Global Economic reports that Samsung SDI is adopting an "all-in" approach for sulfide-based solid-state batteries by 2027, aiming for a technological "super-gap," while LG Energy Solution is pursuing a cost-innovation path targeting 2029. Financial News highlights the mixed Q3 earnings outlook for the three major Korean battery makers, with LG Energy Solution expected to post the highest revenue and Samsung SDI returning to profitability, while SK On remains in the red. This financial backdrop adds pressure on Korean firms to successfully commercialize next-gen technologies to maintain global competitiveness against Chinese rivals.
Context & numbers
China’s five-year battery plan, unveiled in late September, sets specific targets for 2030, including the development of lithium batteries with 15,000 cycles and the large-scale deployment of solid-state batteries. The plan explicitly backs sodium-ion, flow-battery, and other emerging storage technologies. Globally, solid-state battery shipments grew by 51.9% to 8.0 GWh in 2025, though all shipments were semi-solid; all-solid-state mass production is still widely projected for 2027 at the earliest.
On the radar
- Korean Q3 Earnings: The final Q3 earnings reports for LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are imminent, with analysts expecting a turnaround for Samsung SDI and strong performance from LG.
- Sodium-Ion Standardization: The full implementation of China’s new sodium-ion safety standards (GB48072) will be a key factor in the sector's 2028 cost-parity goal.
- GBT Production Ramp-up: Industry observers will be watching GBT’s Guangzhou facility for yield rates and initial cell performance data following the October 14 series production announcement.
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