Samsung SDI acquires joint venture “Synergy Cells” Samsung SDI’s first standalone U.S. production base, also serving ESS Signs JDA with GM to co-develop next-generation batteries Shift from “joint venture model” to “strategic technology collaboration”
GMC Hummer EV. Provided by GM
Samsung SDI has decided to terminate its existing joint venture structure with U.S. automaker General Motors (GM) and pursue a new form of strategic technological cooperation in response to changes in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The battery plant currently under construction as a joint venture will be converted into a wholly owned factory of Samsung SDI through an equity transaction.
Samsung SDI announced on the 11th that it would acquire the entire GM stake (49.99%) in the battery joint venture “SynergeCells” and take over ownership.
SynergeCells is an EV battery production company with an annual capacity of 27 gigawatt-hours (GWh, equivalent to batteries for about 360,000 long-range EVs), established by Samsung SDI and GM in New Carlisle, Indiana, in 2024 through a total investment of USD 3.5 billion (approximately KRW 494.3 billion). Its main products are prismatic high‑nickel NCA (nickel, cobalt, aluminum) batteries to be installed in GM electric vehicles, and the company also decided to pursue cylindrical battery production depending on demand. At the time, the partners also drew up a plan to expand production capacity to 36 GWh per year. The plant is currently under construction, targeting mass production next year.
With this equity acquisition, Samsung SDI will secure its first standalone battery plant in North America. The plant will be operated to produce both EV batteries and batteries for energy storage systems (ESS). A Samsung SDI representative stated, “By building ESS production lines together, the company plans to respond proactively and aggressively to the rapidly growing ESS market in North America.”
Since last year, Samsung SDI has been expanding its local sales channels in the United States by signing a series of large‑scale ESS battery supply contracts with energy‑focused companies.
Samsung SDI prismatic battery (PRiMX Stack). Provided by Samsung SDI
Although the joint venture structure with GM will be terminated, the partnership will continue. Samsung SDI announced that it had signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with GM for a collaborative advanced development project of next‑generation prismatic batteries for electric vehicles. A JDA is a more concrete concept than a broad and abstract memorandum of understanding (MOU) and is a formal contract with strong legal enforceability.
Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly conduct research and development (R&D) on prismatic batteries incorporating Samsung SDI’s high‑energy‑density and fast‑charging technologies. As it is a JDA, the allocation of intellectual property (IP) rights to the technologies to be developed appears to have been specified in detail. The prismatic battery products developed through this project are expected to be installed in GM’s next‑generation EV models.
A Samsung SDI official said, “This decision represents a new phase of cooperation aimed at reflecting market changes while maintaining a strategic partnership with GM,” adding, “The companies will continue joint efforts for the future EV era while actively responding to U.S. ESS demand.”
Kim Min-beom
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
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