This July 1, SAMSUNG SDI marks its 56th anniversary of founding. Always ahead of the curve, SAMSUNG SDI has introduced innovative technologies ranging from vacuum tubes, CRTs, and displays to batteries and advanced materials. Let’s follow the footprints of the technological innovations that have led the market through SAMSUNG SDI’s products.

From vacuum tubes to displays

SAMSUNG SDI, founded in January 1970, began vacuum tube production in July of that year, which was the first step into electronic business. Establishing a foothold from the production of the most fundamental electronic device, SAMSUNG SDI expanded its business to CRTs, a culmination of the finest technologies of the time, and stood at the forefront of the global CRT market.

[Vacuum tubes in production (left) and vacuum tube mounts (right)]

In the 2000s, technological developments in IT and digital devices shifted the trend toward slim, power-efficient flat displays. In response to this change, SAMSUNG SDI moved quickly to develop PDP(Plasma Display Panel) and OLED technology, strengthening its competitiveness.

[Developed 102-inch Full HD-class plasma display]

Small batteries usher in an era of BoT 

As portable electronic devices became widespread in the 1990s, batteries sharply gained attention. The ability to provide reliable and stable battery life emerged as a crucial factor.

SAMSUNG SDI captured this trend and commenced battery business by running a pilot line at the Cheonan Factory in November 1997. Its 18650 cylindrical batteries were first produced in 1998, targeting IT devices and power tools. Furthermore, SAMSUNG SDI developed and manufactured various form factors such as 21700 and 46-phi batteries following increased demand for high-capacity property.

SAMSUNG SDI also manufactures pouch-type batteries for mobile devices. The pouch battery is now securing its position as a primary power source amid the evolving mobile device landscape, which has transitioned from brick phones to smartphones.

[(Left to right) 21700 cylindrical battery, 46-phi cylindrical battery]

Prismatic batteries, the linchpin of electrification era

In the late 2000s, the auto industry was reaching a major turning point as the powertrain paradigm shifted from internal combustion engines to electric motors. Building on the technological capabilities cultivated through its small battery business, SAMSUNG SDI entered the EV battery market. It initiated production of EV batteries at the Ulsan Factory in January 2011 and rapidly demonstrated its prowess to the world by developing the world’s first 60Ah prismatic batteries for EVs in 2013.

Its EV batteries adopted a prismatic form factor from the outset and have evolved to offer high energy density and safety. Now, under the new name “PrismStack,” SAMSUNG SDI’s prismatic batteries deliver an industry-leading energy density of 700 Wh/L for prismatic form factors, further strengthening the technological leadership.

[(Left to right) 60Ah prismatic battery, 700Wh/L high-energy-density prismatic battery, PrismStack]

ESS batteries, the evolution of energy infrastructure

Energy Storage System(ESS) emerged as a key infrastructure around 2010, focusing on reliable energy storage and management driven by environmental concerns and aging of power grids. SAMSUNG SDI quickly captured the needs of global customers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, pioneering the market by providing optimized battery solutions for ESS since 2009.

In 2023, it showcased “SBB(Samsung Battery Box),” an integrated ESS solution where battery cells, modules, and racks are installed in a single 20-foot container. This is ready for immediate use once connected to the power grid. Additionally, SBB 2.0, featuring cost-effective LFP batteries, will be launched soon.

[(Left to right) SBB 1.5, SBB 1.7, SBB 2.0]

Electronic materials are a key technology in the electronics industry

Across the semiconductor, display, and battery industries, materials are a key factor that determines performance and quality. SAMSUNG SDI recognized the importance of the materials early on. Starting in 1995 with the production of EMC(Epoxy Molding Compound), a semiconductor packaging material, it began producing CMP(Chemical Mechanical Planarization) slurry for polishing semiconductor wafers in 2002. Then, in 2005, the company began developing SOH(Spin-On-Hardmask), a processing material that aids in semiconductor patterning, and successfully commercialized it in 2007.

Following this, in 2013, it acquired German OLED materials specialist Novaled, broadening its scope into display deposition materials. This move garnered significant attention when FOCA(Foldable Optical Clear Adhesive Film,) which SAMSUNG SDI successfully mass-produced for the first time in the world, was featured in foldable smartphones in 2019.

[semiconductor materials (left) and OLED materials (right)]

Moves to secure next-generation technology

SAMSUNG SDI is committed to developing next-generation technologies rooted in its philosophy that “technology is hope.”

To address the two key challenges in the battery industry—safety and high energy density—SAMSUNG SDI is leveraging its all-solid-state battery technology, “SolidStack.” Development is underway at a rapid pace, with the goal of full-scale production in the second half of 2027. SAMSUNG SDI plans to diversify its SolidStack product lineup, with future offerings including lightweight pouch-type batteries for physical AI and prismatic form factors for EVs.

At the same time, it is aggressively developing other next-generation technologies, such as sodium batteries, which are expected to shift the market paradigm with their high power output, long lifespan, and cost-effectiveness. 

In the electronic materials sector, it is strengthening technological competitiveness through the development of next-generation semiconductor materials, such as high-thermal-conductivity EMC. This addresses the trend toward increasingly high-performance mobile semiconductors driven by the proliferation of AI technology.

[(Left to right) All-solid-state battery “SolidStack,” high-thermal-conductivity EMC]

SAMSUNG SDI has stayed ahead in developing technologies amid the changing times and pioneering new markets through constant innovation. SAMSUNG SDI will continue to take the lead in the battery and electronic materials fields by leveraging its accumulated technologies and keen insight.