Choi Juseon, CEO of Samsung SDI, "46-pie Battery to Enter Mass Production Soon"

"Customers Secured... Samples Already Submitted"
"Chasm to Continue, but Recovery Expected in Q2"
"Conservative Investment Stance to Be Maintained for Now"

Choi Ju-seon, CEO of Samsung SDI, announced that the company has secured customers for its 46-pi battery and will soon begin mass production. The 46-pi battery is a cylindrical battery with a diameter of 46 mm, which has a larger energy capacity than the existing cylindrical battery (diameter 21 mm) and is considered a next-generation technology product.

On the morning of the 5th, at 'InterBattery 2025' held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, CEO Choi told reporters, "This year, we have secured specific customers for the 46-pi battery," adding, "We have already submitted samples and will soon start mass production." Samsung SDI unveiled its next-generation 46-pi battery lineup at this InterBattery event. Choi, who was appointed CEO of Samsung SDI at the end of last year, said, "The one thing that never changes is technological capability," and added, "We will work harder with hope."

Choi Juseon, CEO of Samsung SDI, is answering questions from the press at 'InterBattery 2025' held at COEX, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 5th. 2025.03.05. Photo by InterBattery 2025 Joint Press Team

CEO Choi expects the chasm in the electric vehicle market to continue. However, he analyzed that Samsung SDI will hit the bottom in the first quarter of this year and recover from the second quarter. He said, "I think the market conditions will remain difficult until the first half of next year," but added, "Samsung SDI will use the first quarter as the bottom and gradually recover from the second quarter, striving in the second half as well."

He announced that new investments will be made from a conservative perspective. Regarding the plan to build a standalone battery factory in North America, CEO Choi said, "Due to the significant deterioration in front-end demand this year, we are taking a conservative view." He added, "Since we need to grow in the mid to long term, we are thoroughly reviewing it internally," and said, "Please wait a little longer, and it will be materialized." He also described the target timing for the operation of the second plant of the joint venture 'StarPlus Energy,' established with the U.S. automaker Stellantis, as a "conservative stance."

Regarding cash flow improvement measures, CEO Choi stated, "We will maintain a slightly conservative investment stance both this year and next year." Furthermore, he said, "Since we successfully issued a loan supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, short-term issues have been resolved," and added, "We are reviewing ways to sustain investments in the mid to long term."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.