Samsung SDI–EcoPro BM MOU Targets Solid-State Battery Market

Samsung SDI and EcoPro BM Sign MOU to Commercialize Sulfide Solid-State Batteries by 2027 

SEOUL, South Korea October 6, 2026 — South Korean battery materials firm EcoPro BM has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Samsung SDI to jointly develop materials for all-solid-state batteries, targeting commercialization of sulfide-based cells by 2027, in a development that reinforces the accelerating commercialization momentum within the global solid-state batteries market. 

Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will lead all-solid-state battery cell development and advance mass-production technology, while EcoPro BM will be responsible for developing key materials. The cooperation spans cathode materials, electrolytes for cathodes, and electrolytes for separators, covering the full spectrum from early-stage research and development through quality evaluation and mass-production system readiness. 

EcoPro BM brings established manufacturing capabilities to the partnership, operating a pilot plant with an annual production capacity of 40 metric tons for sulfide-based solid electrolytes. The company has also developed cathode materials suited to solid-state architectures, leveraging its proprietary high-nickel cathode material technology and powder-control and quality-management competencies. 

The partnership follows EcoPro BM's selection in August 2026 for South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy "Super Eul" project a government-backed R&D support programme targeting materials, parts, and equipment companies capable of securing world-leading technologies. Selected participants receive government funding of 20 billion won per task for a minimum of seven years. Kong Bo-hyun, Executive Director of Research and Development at EcoPro BM, stated that the company expects the earliest mass-production timing to be 2027, with mass-production line design already completed and construction preparations underway in line with customer demand. 

Key Highlights: 

• EcoPro BM and Samsung SDI have signed an MOU targeting commercialization of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries by 2027, with cooperation spanning early R&D through mass-production system establishment 

• Samsung SDI will lead cell development and mass-production technology advancement; EcoPro BM will develop cathode materials, cathode electrolytes, and separator electrolytes 

• EcoPro BM operates a 40-metric-ton annual capacity pilot plant for sulfide-based solid electrolytes, supported by proprietary powder-control and quality-management process technology 

• EcoPro BM was selected for South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy "Super Eul" government R&D programme, with funding of 20 billion won per task for a minimum of seven years 

Analyst Insight: 

According to analysts at Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global solid-state batteries market is valued at USD 13,465.78 million in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 73,059.96 million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 20.67% over the forecast period. NMSC analysts note that the Samsung SDI–EcoPro BM MOU reflects a broader structural pattern in which incumbent cell makers and materials specialists are forming formalized alliances to de-risk the transition from pilot-scale validation to series production. Sulfide electrolyte supply has been identified as a critical gating factor for automotive-grade commercialization, and partnerships that integrate cell development with upstream materials capability are positioned to compress qualification timelines ahead of the 2027–2028 automotive launch window. 

Industry Outlook: 

The EcoPro BM–Samsung SDI agreement positions South Korea's battery supply chain at the forefront of the global solid-state battery commercialization race, with a 2027 target aligning with timelines announced by other leading cell makers and electrolyte producers across Asia Pacific. The region accounts for approximately 51% of global solid-state battery revenue in 2026 and is expected to retain its leadership position through 2035, anchored by cell and materials programs in South Korea, Japan, and China. 

As pilot lines mature and electrolyte supply chains deepen, the transition from joint development agreements to series production contracts will determine which partnerships translate into durable competitive advantage. The automotive segment, which accounts for approximately 38% of 2025 solid-state battery revenue, is expected to be the primary driver of incremental market growth through 2035, making structured OEM-aligned supply chain partnerships such as the EcoPro BM–Samsung SDI MOU strategically significant for the sector's near-term trajectory. 

Source: DigitalToday 

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Prepared By: Sanyukta Deb