Prior to the summer, the Korean press claimed that Samsung SDI, a subsidiary of a technology company dedicated to the development and production of batteries, was building a new production line for 4680 battery cells. The Korean manufacturer will thus become the third supplier of batteries. Tesla electric cars, together with our compatriots LG Energy Solutions Japanese already Panasonic, Even then, Samsung’s work progresses because it is based on cells of 46 mm diameter to grow from the same diameter different height,
las Samsung 46xx Cylindrical Cell Thus moving towards mass production. According to Choi Hoon, general manager of Samsung SDI in China, the 46mm diameter battery was “ending its research phases” so that the design could be finalized next year. “The 4680 is a factor cylindrical in shape with a diameter of 46 mm and a height of 80 mm as offered by Tesla. 46xx is a more common brand for versions with different heights”, explained the leader.
In previous information, not confirmed by Samsung, it was confirmed that the Korean company was developing more than one 46xx battery: one of them was specified by Tesla, 4680second side a small height and in addition, with two other High Height: 90mm and 120mm, In addition, other rumors indicated that Samsung would be building a pilot line for the new cells inside its Cheonan plant in South Korea. It will reach the production capacity of the first installation 1 GWh annually, Subsequently, these cells will be manufactured in Seremban, Malaysia, where the production of 8 to 12 GWh annually In an existing plant that currently manufactures 2170 cells (21 mm in diameter and 70 high).
Apart from the diversification of the format, there is another important point The chemistry used in them by Samsung, its intention is to use with a cathode high nickel content (more than 90%) with a silicon anode (instead of graphite). With this combination, the initial energy density can be lower than that of the company’s state-of-the-art prismatic cells, as Choi explains: “High nickel cathodes with more than 90% nickel and silicon anodes will be used. . The energy of the module the density will be 520 k/lThe manager said, that would be 78% of what is offered by Samsung SDI’s Gen 5 prismatic battery.”
However, this circumstance will not be an inconvenience with respect to the autonomy they can offer in an electric vehicle. The new architecture of the battery pack, which The modules are removed and the battery is part of the structureDensity is achieved because the space is better utilized for the incorporation of the active material.
While none of this information has yet been officially confirmed, Samsung is seriously interested in the SDI 46xx form factor. This diversification could close supply agreements with Tesla or BMW, which recently announced the use of two 46xx variants: two different heights: 95 and 120 mm.
Tesla, on the other hand, already produces its 4680 cells in the United States, while Panasonic is already very close to being able to supply them after investing heavily in their development and production. In addition, it is known that LG Energy Solutions is also involved in the development of this cell format.
BMW has already selected two manufacturing partners for its 46xx cells (4695 and 46120): CATL and EVE Energy. Samsung SDI can join them, thus becoming the third partner. In total, there are six manufacturers that have, for now, shown their interest in manufacturing 46xx cells, although it will take some time from now to be able to offer a significant amount of production.
