SMM March 3 News:
Key Point：Solid-State Battery Analysis for February 2026: Rumors of Testing by Major Manufacturers; Multiple Enterprises Rapidly Rolled Out Pilot-Scale Validation】 In February 2026, the solid-state battery industry accelerated its transition from pilot-scale trials to mass production, with sulphide electrolytes becoming the primary technological focus, and the national standard set to be released in July. Pilot lines such as those of Guoci Materials and Xinjie Energy were commissioned in rapid succession; 500 Wh/kg high-energy-density products were released one after another, and demand for dry-process electrode equipment surged. Small-batch production was expected to be achieved in 2027, with a commercialization inflection point anticipated after 2030.
Preface
In February 2026, the solid-state battery sector saw a wave of positive developments, as the industry moved from laboratory R&D into a critical turning point of pilot-scale validation. The National Energy Administration explicitly identified solid-state batteries as a key direction in energy technology competition. Multiple enterprises announced the commissioning of pilot-scale production lines or achieved phased breakthroughs; standard-setting for sulphide electrolytes accelerated; and capital and industry chain cooperation continued to deepen. All-solid-state batteries are expected to achieve small-batch production in 2027 and gradually reach a commercialisation inflection point after 2030. The industry is currently accelerating the formation of a full-chain collaborative innovation landscape spanning “materials–equipment–manufacturing–applications”.
I. Electrolyte Materials: The Sulphide Route Becomes the Primary Focus, With Standard-Setting Leading the Breakthrough in Industrialisation
With advantages such as high room-temperature ionic conductivity (≥10⁻³ S/cm) and good ductility, sulphide electrolytes have become the primary technical route for all-solid-state batteries and the core focus of industry progress in February.
Standard-setting achieved key breakthroughs. Compilation of the group standard Technical Requirements for Sulphide Electrolytes for Solid-State Batteries accelerated, and is intended to cover full-spectrum metrics including impurity content, moisture content, ionic conductivity, and interfacial impedance. It specifies mass-production thresholds such as lithium sulphide purity ≥99.9% and electrolyte film yield ≥95%, driving electrolyte costs down to 2.5 million yuan/mt in 2026. The GB/T Solid-State Batteries for EVs, Part 1: Terminology and Classification completed the draft for public consultation and will be officially released in July 2026. It will, for the first time, clearly define the terminology for liquid batteries, hybrid solid–liquid batteries (semi-solid-state batteries), and solid-state batteries (all-solid-state batteries). Among these, the mass-loss-rate criterion for solid-state batteries is set at ≤0.5, stricter than the ≤1 requirement in the group standard of the China Society of Automotive Engineers.
Domestic and overseas enterprises accelerated capacity deployment. Lotte Energy Materials in South Korea operates the world’s largest pilot production line for sulphide solid-state electrolytes, with annual capacity of 70 mt, and is working with leading global all-solid-state battery enterprises to evaluate increasing supporting capacity to 1 Gwh. Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan made a final investment decision on a large-scale pilot plant for solid-state electrolytes and officially commenced construction. Domestically, Guoci Materials’ planned sulphide electrolyte production line progressed smoothly, with the first line planned at 30 mt per year. Ruifu Lithium’s “R&D Platform Project for Key Materials for Sulphide Solid-State Batteries” was selected for the 2026 Shandong provincial-level technological transformation catalogue, with a core focus on battery-grade lithium sulphide. Ronbay Technology’s pilot-scale solid-state electrolyte production line is expected to be completed and commissioned in 2026. Xin’an Co., Ltd. published a solid electrolyte pilot project for solid-state batteries, planning annual pilot production of 0.5 mt each of oxide solid electrolyte lithium aluminum titanium phosphate and lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide. Jiuwu Hi-Tech achieved small-batch supply of LLZO and LATP oxide solid-state electrolytes to downstream battery cell manufacturers and separator manufacturers. Ongoing breakthroughs in technological innovation. Jinghe Energy released the world’s first in-resource closed-loop process, efficiently converting end-of-life battery resources and multi-source industrial scrap into battery-grade sulphide solid electrolyte high-purity materials, addressing the challenges of scaling up traditional solid-state battery production, and has already built a portfolio of more than 80 solid-state battery-related patents. GEM was granted an invention patent for “A Coated and Modified Solid Electrolyte and Its Preparation Method and Application.” The Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a breakthrough in multi-layer stacking technology, enabling pouch batteries to deliver zero degradation after 300 cycles.
II. Cathode and Anode Materials: Coordinated Advancement of High-Nickel Ternary Cathodes and Silicon-Based Anodes, with Continuous Improvement in Industrialisation Capability
In the cathode materials segment, the high-nickel ternary system continued to hold a leading position, while exploration of lithium-rich manganese-based materials accelerated. XTC New Energy Materials (Xiamen) has achieved supply of cathode materials compatible with oxide-route solid-state batteries, and its sulphide-route cathode materials maintain close technical exchanges and cooperation with top-tier downstream enterprises both domestic and overseas. Ronbay Technology has established a full technology-chain layout covering solid-state battery cathodes, electrolytes, anodes, adhesives, and pouch battery cells; its key products have achieved shipments at the 10-mt scale, and its kt-scale mass-production line has completed adaptation and retrofitting for solid-state cathode products. Easpring Technology and ProLogium Technology signed a strategic cooperation agreement, establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership in areas including equity investment, battery materials collaboration, product mass production, and supply. MGL is expected to invest 929 million yuan to build a lithium-ion battery cathode materials project with an annual capacity of 30,000 mt, covering high-voltage LCO, NCA materials, and ultra-high-nickel ternary cathode materials.
In the anode materials segment, the trend of silicon-based anodes evolving toward lithium-metal anodes is clear. Xiangfenghua has reserved production technologies for silicon carbon and silicon-oxygen anode materials, has the basic conditions for industrialisation, and can apply them to solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries. Dowstone Technology has deepened its exploration in the solid-state battery field and, leveraging its accumulation of core materials such as silicon carbon anodes and single-walled carbon nanotubes, is committed to becoming a leading provider of full-material solutions for solid-state batteries.
In the auxiliary materials segment, Wuhai City released an investment promotion announcement for a solid-state battery adhesive project with an annual capacity of 50,000 mt, with total investment expected to be 600 million yuan, mainly producing dedicated adhesives for solid-state batteries. Yinlian Co., Ltd. and Dongchi Energy signed a supply agreement for composite aluminum foil, with orders exceeding 50 million m², specifically for quasi-solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries.
III. Battery Products: Continued Breakthroughs in Energy Density, Accelerating Deployment Across Multiple Scenarios
In February, solid-state battery product launches were intensive, achieving new breakthroughs in energy density and technical performance.
High-energy-density products led the technological frontier. China Automotive New Energy released an ultra-high specific energy solid–liquid battery system product, with battery cell energy density exceeding 500 Wh/kg; the battery pack capacity increased by 67% YoY, and the driving range after installation exceeded 1,000 km. It is expected to launch demonstration operations in 2026. A 320 Wh/kg high-specific-energy, high-power eVTOL battery developed by Zhejiang Fengli under Ganfeng Lithium was officially installed on AEROFUGIA’s AE200-100 model and completed the first phase of manned flight tests in December 2025. Dongfeng Motor’s new-generation 350 Wh/kg high-specific-energy solid–liquid hybrid-state battery cell completed validation of materials and the electrochemical system and achieved pilot-line rollout; it can deliver a 1,000 km vehicle driving range and is expected to enter mass production and be installed on Dongfeng’s self-owned new energy brand car models in 2026.
Segmented-scenario products accelerated deployment. Jinyu New Energy delivered its Wanshan series ultra-fast-charging solid-state batteries to leading engineering-vehicle clients, offering full-stack delivery capabilities including solid-state battery cell R&D and manufacturing for engineering vehicles, powertrain system integration, and application-scenario simulation testing. Xinjie Energy held a line-run ceremony for its 2 Gwh solid-state lithium-metal battery mass-production line at its headquarters campus in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, strategically targeting frontier fields such as low-altitude aircraft, embodied robots, consumer electronics devices, and computing-power satellites. Guangnian Engine launched the world’s first all-scenario all-solid-state batteries, LY-70 and LY-25, and announced “mass production upon launch,” while also releasing the industry’s first 300 km semi-solid-state high-speed electric motorcycle battery, “Engine No. 1.” Dejia Energy’s thin and lightweight lithium battery products passed the MIIT mandatory standard tests for power supplies.
Safety validation continued to deepen. The reliability of polymer solid-state batteries under extreme environments was validated. The project “Polymer Flexible Solid-State Electrolyte Lithium Battery and Its Deep-Sea Applications,” completed through collaboration between the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhongtian Energy Storage, won the First Prize (Technological Invention) of the 2025 Science and Technology Award of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. It successfully completed full-ocean-depth application at 10,918 meters in the Mariana Trench and developed the world’s first megawatt hour-class deep-sea energy base station system.
IV. Project Progress: Pilot Lines Commence Production in Quick Succession, and Large-Scale Production Lines Accelerate Deployment
In February, progress on solid-state battery projects was intensive, with the main theme shifting from R&D to pilot validation.
Pilot production lines commenced production in quick succession. BYD has pursued multi-route exploration in the solid-state battery field, and its sulphide solid-state battery is expected to achieve small-batch production in 2027. GAC Group is expected to launch small-batch vehicle installation trials in 2026 and gradually achieve small-scale rollout and popularization from 2027 to 2030. CATL continued to increase investment in all-solid-state batteries and is expected to achieve small-batch production in 2027. Dongfeng Motor’s 0.2 Gwh solid-state battery cell pilot line had completed construction and entered operation, with the first batch of pilot battery cells successfully rolling off the line. SAIC’s all-solid-state battery production line had achieved full-line integration in Anting, Shanghai, and is expected to conduct all-solid-state battery prototype vehicle testing in 2026, striving to achieve mass-production delivery in 2027. Sunwoda stated that its first- and second-generation solid–liquid batteries had achieved large-scale production, and its all-solid-state battery is expected to achieve mass production in 2027.
Construction of large-scale production lines accelerated. CORNEX New Energy’s solid-state battery projects at its two major sites in Yichang and Xiaogan completed filing; the total investment for the Yichang project was 27.5 billion yuan and the total investment for the Xiaogan project was 27.5 billion yuan, both explicitly mentioning “new UAV batteries, robot batteries, and solid-state and semi-solid-state battery production lines.” Guangdong Dianjiangjun’s 1.6 billion yuan expansion project for a solid-state battery production site for the low-altitude economy broke ground, focusing on R&D and production of low-altitude batteries and ESS batteries, with expected annual output value of 1 billion yuan. Guansheng Dongchi’s 4 Gwh per year semi-solid LFP battery project released a proposed EIA approval announcement and is expected to achieve large-scale mass production by mid-2026. Jinheng Guneng’s 10 Gwh solid-state battery project was signed in Huanggang, Hubei. Guangdong Jianggong won a joint bid for a 1.524 billion yuan 3D solid-state lithium battery project. Jintan signed a project with Beijing Zhongke Qinen for a 1 Gwh per year high-power energy storage power module production site. Heyi New Energy’s Pujiang small- and medium-sized solid-state battery intelligent manufacturing site, with a total investment of approximately 1 billion yuan, held its groundbreaking ceremony.
International cooperation advanced steadily. US-based Factorial and South Korea’s Philenergy signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue strategic cooperation around all-solid-state battery manufacturing. ProLogium’s Dunkirk gigafactory in France broke ground and will introduce fourth-generation “superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery” technology, with mass production to start in 2028 and Phase I capacity of 4 Gwh to be fully commissioned in 2030.
V. Equipment Progress: Dry Electrodes and Isostatic Pressing Become the Core Incremental Segments
Innovation in solid-state battery manufacturing processes has triggered a surge in equipment demand, with the value share of front- and mid-stage equipment further increasing.
The equipment market size grew rapidly. According to a Huayuan Securities research report, the value share of front-stage equipment for solid-state batteries increased from 31% for conventional liquid batteries to 35%–40%, while the mid-stage increased from 40% to 40%–45%, with the combined share of the front and mid stages reaching about 80%. The China Business Industry Research Institute expects the global solid-state battery equipment market size to reach 12 billion yuan in 2026.
Dry electrode processes became a focal point. Tesla achieved scaled production of dry electrode processes, eliminating solvent use and the drying step, and enabling material dispersion and pre-forming through high-shear dry mixing and fibrillation equipment. Qingyan Nake’s dry electrode equipment was officially shipped to a leading Japanese automaker, representing China’s first high-speed, wide-width dry electrode film-forming and lamination equipment. Lingge Technology successfully won the bid for the first 100-mt-class sulphide solid-state electrolyte continuous turnkey line project, which can be rapidly expanded to kt-scale capacity through modular replication. Yuandian Xinneng and Gaoneng Shuzao signed a 60 million-yuan cooperation agreement for an all-solid-state battery automated production line, with customised solid-state battery production equipment.
Isostatic pressing equipment accelerated validation. Nakanol’s self-developed warm isostatic pressing equipment uses liquid pressurisation, with a design pressure of 600 MPa, and is accelerating validation testing. Litong Technology’s warm isostatic pressing equipment can improve the interfacial densification between solid electrodes and solid-state electrolytes.
VI. Financing and Cooperation: Industrial Capital Accelerates Deployment, and Industry Chain Collaboration Deepens
In February, financing and cooperation in the solid-state battery sector were frequent, as industrial capital accelerated its deployment in next-generation technologies.
Industry funds were established intensively. SAIC’s wholly owned subsidiary SAIC Jinkong planned to jointly invest with SDIC Pioneer, Hunan Jinfurong, and others to establish Shanghai Shangqi Shangcheng II Private Equity Investment Fund Partnership. The fund’s initial committed size was 2.5 billion yuan, of which SAIC Jinkong committed 1 billion yuan, with a focus on solid-state batteries, full-stack electronic architectures, digital chassis, chip localisation, and other areas. Strategic Collaboration Across the Industry Chain Deepened. Shanghai Enjie, a subsidiary of SEMCORP, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Gotion High-tech to carry out comprehensive collaboration in key new energy battery materials, including separators and solid electrolytes. Honggong Technology and Shanghai Firm-Lithium Technology jointly established Hunan Hongyi Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., focusing on R&D of relevant equipment and production-line equipment involved in all-solid-state battery electrolyte materials. SEVC POWER completed a new round of financing, with investors including Linjie Fund and Zhongguancun Venture Capital. Nayuan New Materials signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Germany’s SCHOTT, launching strategic collaboration in advanced materials for sodium-ion batteries and solid electrolytes.
Commercial Orders Continued to Materialize. Zhongxinde Solid secured an order worth over 100 million yuan in Guangdong’s food-delivery rider market, customizing high-performance mobile power supplies for tens of thousands of local delivery riders; its solid-state battery cells use flexible ceramic membrane technology and a unique stacked structure. Guansheng Dongchi achieved delivery and payment collection for small-batch commercial orders in 2025, validating market acceptance and the feasibility of commercialization for its solid-state battery products.
VII. Policies and Standards: Top-Level Design Accelerated, National Standard Release Imminent
At the policy level, efforts continued to intensify the industrial deployment of solid-state batteries. Ren Yuzhi, Director-General of the Planning Department of the National Energy Administration, clearly stated that frontier fields such as solid-state batteries have become a key direction in the competitive deployment of energy technologies among countries. MIIT’s Key Points for Automotive Standardization Work listed solid-state batteries as a priority for new industry standard development, and ultra-long-term special treasury bonds leveraged over 20 billion yuan in industrial investment through a 15% investment subsidy. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) included solid-state batteries in the “Strategic Emerging Industries” catalogue, requiring breakthroughs in sulphide electrolyte cost and mass-production bottlenecks before 2026.
The development of the standards system achieved milestone progress. GB/T Solid-State Batteries for EVs—Part 1: Terminology and Classification is scheduled for official release in July 2026, clarifying for the first time at the national level the definition of solid-state batteries and classification standards. The compilation of the group standard Technical Requirements for Sulphide Electrolytes for Solid-State Batteries accelerated, and is expected to precisely align with industry needs at the pilot-scale commissioning stage.
Summary and Outlook
In February 2026, the solid-state battery industry exhibited notable characteristics, including “a high concentration of technological breakthroughs, accelerated pilot-scale validation, an improved standards system, and active capital deployment.” From the perspective of technology pathways, sulphide electrolytes became the primary focus for all-solid-state batteries, and standards development is expected to accelerate the industrialisation process. From the perspective of product performance, products with energy densities above 500 Wh/kg were released in succession, and specialised application scenarios such as eVTOL, robotics, and deep-sea use accelerated their rollout. From the perspective of industry progress, the intensive commissioning of pilot lines and the construction of scaled production lines advanced in parallel, and 2026 is expected to become a critical window for capacity release. From the perspective of capital dynamics, industrial capital accelerated its deployment in next-generation technologies, and upstream–downstream collaboration across the industry chain continued to deepen.
However, the industry still faced practical challenges such as high costs (sulphide electrolytes cost 3–5 times as much as traditional liquid electrolytes), relatively low yields, and incomplete industry-chain support. Experts generally believed that solid-state batteries still needed to overcome multiple hurdles—cost, supply chains, and long-cycle validation—before moving from “end-to-end production-line integration” to “large-scale vehicle installation,” and that this was a systematic undertaking involving materials, processes, equipment, standards, and business models. All-solid-state batteries are expected to achieve small-batch production in 2027 and gradually reach a commercialisation inflection point after 2030. Only through collaborative innovation across the upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain, and through co-building standards and the ecosystem, can industrial transformation in the power battery sector be advanced steadily.
According to SMM forecasts, all-solid-state battery shipments will reach 13.5 GWh by 2028, while semi-solid-state battery shipments will reach 160 GWh. Global lithium-ion battery demand is projected to reach approximately 2,800 GWh by 2030, with the EV sector's lithium-ion battery demand showing a CAGR of around 11% from 2024 to 2030, ESS lithium-ion battery demand at a CAGR of about 27%, and consumer electronics lithium battery demand at a CAGR of roughly 10%. Global solid-state battery penetration is estimated at about 0.1% in 2025, with all-solid-state battery penetration expected to reach around 4% by 2030, and global solid-state battery penetration potentially approaching 10% by 2035.
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