Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong returned from his business trip to Europe on June 18. There, he met with BMW, one of the biggest clients for Samsung SDI.
At present, EcoPro BM, which supplies cathode materials to Samsung SDI, is supposed to build a cathode material manufacturing plant near BMW’s plant currently under construction in Hungary. A closer partnership is expected between Samsung and BMW.
The cathode material manufacturing plant in Hungary is expected to have an annual production capacity of 108,000 tons. The preliminary contract was signed this month, which means site preparation has been completed. One half of the plant is scheduled to be completed and put into operation in the first half and second half of 2024, respectively.
EcoPro BM is a key cathode material supplier for Samsung SDI and the materials from the new plant are to be supplied to Samsung SDI, which has its largest EV battery manufacturing plant in God, Hungary. The new plant of EcoPro BM will be closer to the new plant of BMW than to the plant in God.
BMW is currently using prismatic EV batteries and planning to adopt cylindrical EV batteries. Samsung SDI’s products include both types. BMW is planning to use cylindrical batteries in its new EV platform that is expected to be unveiled in 2025.
