Samsung SDI and KGM forge strategic partnership to advance 46‑series EV battery packs

24 December 2025, 11:18:38

Samsung SDI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) to jointly develop next‑generation battery pack technologies centered on Samsung SDI’s 46‑series cylindrical cells, the companies announced this week. The agreement, formalised at a ceremony held at KG Tower, commits both firms to collaborative research and market strategy exchanges aimed at commercialising high‑capacity, long‑life and safety‑focused battery packs for future electric vehicles.

The MOU was signed in the presence of senior executives from both organisations, including Ick Kyu Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Mobile & Power Battery Business at Samsung SDI, and Jeong Hyun Kwak, President and Chief Strategy Officer of KGM, underscoring the strategic importance each company places on the partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung SDI and KGM will concentrate development efforts on pack architectures that leverage the 46‑series cylindrical cell, with the intention of applying the resulting battery packs to KGM’s next‑generation EV models.

Samsung SDI highlighted several technical attributes of the 46‑series cell that make it a compelling foundation for vehicle applications. The cell combines high‑nickel NCA cathodes with Samsung SDI’s proprietary Silicon Carbon Nanocomposite (SCN) anodes, a configuration the company says reduces swelling and extends cycle life. The design also features a tabless architecture to lower internal resistance and optimise current flow, which Samsung SDI says enhances high‑power output and fast‑charging performance. Enhanced thermal management and advanced manufacturing processes are cited as additional contributors to the cell’s safety and reliability profile.

The partnership is framed as more than a supplier‑customer relationship; both companies plan to exchange insights on mid‑ to long‑term global battery market strategies and pursue joint R&D initiatives. Samsung SDI described the collaboration as validation of the 46‑series’ differentiated technological competitiveness in domestic and international EV markets, and said it expects the alliance to support future growth of its battery business.

Industry observers will watch whether the KGM tie‑up accelerates the adoption of the 46‑series format across mainstream EV platforms. Samsung SDI has positioned the cell as a balance of energy density, fast‑charge capability and durability, attributes that automakers increasingly prioritise as they seek to extend vehicle range while meeting consumer expectations for charging speed and longevity.

The announcement follows a period of intensified activity in the battery sector, where automakers and suppliers are forging closer technical partnerships to secure performance and supply advantages. For Samsung SDI, the MOU with KGM represents a strategic step toward broader commercialisation of its 46‑series technology and a reinforcement of its role in the evolving global EV supply chain.

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