[Edaily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. will jointly develop next-generation prismatic batteries for electric vehicles with General Motors (GM) of the United States, incorporating high-energy-density and fast-charging technologies. SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. plans to acquire GM’s entire stake in their U.S. battery joint venture, transforming it into its first standalone production base in North America, where it will manufacture the jointly developed products.

SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. announced on the 11th that it has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with GM for the joint pre-development of prismatic batteries for next-generation electric vehicles. The two companies plan to jointly develop prismatic batteries incorporating SAMSUNG SDI’s high-energy-density and fast-charging technologies. The developed products are expected to be installed in GM’s next-generation electric vehicles in the future.

The two companies are also changing the operating structure of the battery joint venture plant they have been developing in New Carlisle, Indiana. SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. has decided to acquire GM’s entire 49.99% stake in the joint venture, “Synergy Cells,” to secure 100% ownership. As a result, SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. will have its first standalone battery production base in North America.

Synergy Cells is an electric vehicle battery manufacturing company with an annual production capacity of 27 gigawatt-hours (GWh), established in 2024 with a total investment of $3.5 billion from SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. and GM. Construction of the plant is currently underway, and SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. and GM hold 50.01% and 49.99% of the shares, respectively.

SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. held a board meeting today and decided to terminate the joint venture agreement with GM and acquire its stake. SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD.’s cumulative investment in the joint venture amounts to 275,283,990,000 won, representing 1.2% of its consolidated equity and 0.7% of its total assets. The specific amount for the stake acquisition and investment plans following the transition to a wholly-owned subsidiary have not yet been finalized.

SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. plans to produce various products for electric vehicles, including next-generation prismatic batteries jointly developed with GM, at its independently operated factory. The company is pursuing a plan to change its corporate name to “SAMSUNG SDI Synergy Cells Holdings.”

It will also establish a production line for energy storage system (ESS) batteries. This strategy aims to diversify its product portfolio in response to shifting EV demand and to address the rapidly growing North American ESS market. Since last year, SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. has been expanding its local sales channels by signing large-scale ESS battery supply contracts with major U.S. energy companies.

A SAMSUNG SDI CO.,LTD. official stated, “This decision reflects market changes while continuing our strategic partnership with GM,” adding, “At this plant, we will continue our joint efforts for the future era of electric vehicles and actively respond to U.S. ESS demand.”