PVTIME – Samsung SDI has acquired General Motors’ 49.99% stake in the Synergy Cells joint venture, thereby taking full ownership of the $3.5 billion battery manufacturing facility under construction in New Carlisle, Indiana.
This change in ownership brings an end to the original plan for a jointly operated plant with an initial annual capacity of 27GWh, scalable to 36GWh, which was due to begin production in 2027. Instead, the facility will become Samsung SDI’s first wholly-owned battery production base in North America.
Samsung SDI and General Motors have also entered into a joint development agreement for next-generation prismatic battery cells featuring high energy density and fast-charging capabilities. These cells are intended for use in future General Motors electric vehicle models.
Initially, the Indiana facility will prioritise the production of battery cells for energy storage systems, enabling Samsung SDI to capitalise on the growing demand for ESS products in North America, while retaining the flexibility to manufacture the jointly developed prismatic EV cells at a later stage.
According to a company spokesperson, the restructuring is intended to preserve the strategic partnership with General Motors while enabling a more agile response to evolving market conditions in the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
