Author name: Cornelius Karow

The U.S. joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and SK On has started series production of battery cells. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing America began mass production in June. The battery cells are being delivered to the Hyundai Motor Group’s “Metaplant America”, where electric vehicles for the U.S. market are manufactured. The battery joint venture was established in 2023. Hyundai and SK On invested a combined $5 billion in the site. The state of Georgia supported the project with $641 million in tax incentives and other financial assistance. Annual Capacity of 35 Gigawatt-Hours Planned The plant site covers approximately 3 million square meters. Around 3,500 people work at the facility. Once production is fully ramped up, annual capacity is expected to reach 35 gigawatt-hours. However, manufacturing is currently still in the early stages. The battery cells are expected to be assembled into battery packs by Hyundai Mobis. These packs are intended for electric vehicles manufactured in the United States by the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. Georgia Expands Its Battery Industry The new plant adds to Korean battery production in Georgia. SK Battery America already operates facilities for vehicle batteries and components in the state. Hyundai and LG Energy Solution are building another battery plant near the Metaplant. Construction was delayed when U.S. immigration authorities detained numerous Korean workers at the site. Source:https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10809681

Four German industry associations are calling for stronger political support to establish a competitive battery industry. KLiB, VCI, VDMA, and ZVEI point to shortcomings in scaling and the transition from research to industrial mass production. The statement was released in conjunction with the topping-out ceremony for the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production on July 13, 2026. According to the associations, Germany has the necessary research expertise, specialized companies, and substantial industrial demand. Nevertheless, companies often struggle to enter the market. Associations Criticize Insufficient Conditions for Scaling The associations identify structural disadvantages at the national level and inadequate conditions for ramping up production as the main problems. Research results alone do not automatically lead to industrial value creation. They are therefore calling for more targeted industrial policy instruments. These measures should be more closely aligned with the needs of emerging industries. Without suitable conditions, expertise, patents, and production capacity could shift to other regions of the world. The support announced in the government’s program for economic growth and employment must now be defined in concrete terms. Battery Dependence Affects Multiple Industries According to the associations, global battery demand has increased by an average of 43 percent per year over the past five years. Batteries are used in electric mobility, energy supply, data centers, rail technology, robotics, space applications, and other sectors. The associations therefore warn of growing dependence on suppliers outside Europe. They see particular risks for critical infrastructure and defense technology. They believe that strengthening European battery production would bolster supply chains and reduce technological dependence. Source:https://klib-org.de/pressemitteilung-klib-vci-vdma-zvei/

The Japanese automotive supplier AESC has begun mass producing its large-format 46120 cylindrical cells. These battery cells are intended to power several models from the BMW Group based on its “New Class” platform. AESC cites the all-electric BMW iX5 as the first model to use these cells. The cells have a diameter of 46 millimeters and a height of 120 millimeters. According to AESC, this increases the usable energy per cell by nearly 30 percent compared to earlier formats. The reduced number of components in the battery pack is also expected to simplify system integration. This gives vehicle manufacturers more flexibility in integrating the battery into the vehicle. Cell Chemistry for Large Electric SUVs AESC is positioning the 46120 cell format primarily for premium electric vehicles and larger SUV models. The cells use a high-nickel cathode and a silicon-doped anode. The energy density is specified at up to 310 Wh/kg. Mass production is set to take place using state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Production lines are reportedly equipped with more than 1,000 CCD inspection points. Additionally, each cell undergoes X-ray testing to detect foreign objects. According to the company, a magnetically mounted, high-speed transfer and positioning system enables dimensional accuracy of up to 0.01 millimeters. Source:https://www.aesc-group.com/newsInfo?id=AESC+Starts+Mass+Production+of+46120+Large+Cylindrical+Batteries+to+Support+BMW+Group%E2%80%99s+Neue+Klasse+Platform

The Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has unveiled a new battery designed for light electric commercial vehicles. The “Tectrans-II” is designed for fast charging and is intended primarily for logistics applications. According to CATL, the battery can reach an 80 percent state of charge in just 6 minutes and 48 seconds. A full charge takes eight minutes and 56 seconds. Focus on Logistics and Short Downtime The company cites slow charging, limited battery life, reduced performance in winter, and insufficient power output at charging stations as key challenges for electric light-duty logistics vehicles. The new battery is designed to address these issues. CATL backs the battery with a warranty of up to ten years or one million kilometers. This is intended to bring the battery’s lifespan closer to that of the vehicle. According to CATL, the internal resistance of the cells is only half the industry average. This is expected to generate less heat during fast charging. The company also mentions a modified graphite particle interface. This modification is intended to reduce active lithium loss and slow aging. At low temperatures, CATL cites an additional charging time of two minutes and thirty seconds at minus twenty degrees Celsius. Charging Infrastructure Remains Crucial Alongside battery development, CATL is establishing an integrated network of ultra-fast charging and battery swap stations. These so-called “Choco Stations” are designed to support both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The stations will be equipped with customized fast-charging stations featuring extended cables for microvans and light trucks, among other things. This is intended to eliminate the need for drivers to maneuver their vehicles to charge. According to CATL, the company plans to install 4,000 of these stations in nearly 190 Chinese cities this year. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/07/06/catl-unveils-tectrans-ii-battery/

With support from Samsung SDI, Forge Nano is planning to build a battery factory in Morrisville, North Carolina. The facility is expected to have an annual capacity of three gigawatt-hours and begin production in 2028. Samsung SDI will assist with construction and the launch of operations. The factory will produce both Samsung SDI and Forge Nano cell products. As part of the agreement, there is also a conditional supply contract. According to the terms of this contract, Samsung SDI will purchase battery cells from the planned facility beginning in 2028, provided the stipulated conditions are met. Additionally, Forge Nano will act as an authorized distributor of Samsung SDI cells in the U.S. market. Investment with DOE Funding Forge Nano estimates the factory’s cost at between $300 and $330 million. Of this amount, $100 million will be covered by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The facility is intended primarily to serve non-consumer automotive, industrial, and defense applications.  Samsung SDI is also working to incorporate Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor technology into future battery products. Forge Nano describes Atomic Armor as a nanoscale coating system based on atomic layer deposition technology. Source:https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/25/3317520/0/en/forge-nano-forms-landmark-strategic-partnership-with-samsung-sdi-to-enable-u-s-production-of-advanced-battery-cells.html?hss_channel=lcp-12907090