Accelerating Breakthroughs in the Industrialisation of All-Solid-State Batteries

As one of the primary focuses of the "next-generation technology" in the new energy industry, all-solid-state batteries have become a key area of global competition.

Recently, the solid-state battery sector has witnessed a surge of signals indicating industrial breakthroughs. From downstream applications and midstream manufacturing to upstream materials, collaborative efforts across the entire industry chain are pushing this technological "race" to a climax—the commercialisation of all-solid-state batteries is becoming a reality at an unprecedented pace.

Collaborative Efforts Across the Entire Industry Chain, Commercialisation Path Gradually Becoming Clear

Downstream vehicle manufacturers are shifting from technological prospects to concrete "timetables," injecting strong confidence into the commercialisation of all-solid-state batteries. Chery recently showcased its all-solid-state battery module named "Rhino S." According to reports, the battery cell boasts an energy density of up to 600 Wh/kg, utilising a combination of an "in-situ polymerised solid-state electrolyte system" and a lithium-rich manganese cathode material. It demonstrated stable performance in extreme safety tests and is scheduled for trial operation in 2026, with full-scale mass production planned for 2027. By then, the driving range of vehicles equipped with this battery is expected to reach up to 1,500 kilometres.

Traditional giant Toyota has also announced plans to launch its first EV model equipped with a sulphide all-solid-state battery as early as 2027. According to earlier plans, Toyota will initially establish a solid-state battery factory with an annual production capacity of 10 GWh. The first batch of all-solid-state batteries will be prioritised for its Lexus brand's high-end EV models, further strengthening its strategic positioning in the next-generation battery technology pathway.

In the midstream battery manufacturing segment, companies are solidifying the foundation for industrialisation through capital investment and technological iteration. CBEA observed that Sunwoda recently introduced the "Xin·Bixiao" polymer all-solid-state battery with an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, achieving a balance of high energy density, long lifespan, and high safety. Zenergy plans to raise approximately HKD 50 million specifically for the construction of a pilot production line for all-solid-state batteries, advancing the technology from the laboratory to scaled trial production. Meanwhile, WELION New Energy has secured ESS orders worth around 4 billion yuan, opening up an important commercialisation scenario for solid-state batteries beyond EVs.

In the lithium battery equipment sector, YIFI Laser, in collaboration with Golden Feather, delivered the first batch of all-solid-state lithium metal cylindrical batteries, demonstrating its forward-looking layout in next-generation battery formats. Lead Intelligent Equipment, adhering to its strategy of "technology synchronization, equipment first," has taken the lead in achieving breakthroughs in full-line solutions and key equipment for solid-state batteries. Its dry coating equipment significantly reduces energy consumption, while innovative processes such as solid electrolyte compounding and separator-free stacking have reached industry-leading efficiency levels. The related equipment has entered the supply chains of global top-tier enterprises and secured repeat orders, paving the way for the large-scale mass production of all-solid-state batteries.

On the upstream materials side, efforts are concentrated on overcoming the core bottleneck of electrolytes. Recently, SVOLT Energy Technology partnered with HSC New Energy Materials to develop sulfide solid-state electrolytes. Leveraging the latter's advantages in the liquid-phase synthesis route for high-purity lithium sulfide production, they have achieved an ionic conductivity breakthrough of 5.57 mS/cm. Easpring Technology has formed a deep collaboration with Boyuan Chemical, engaging in cross-sector "materials-chemicals" cooperation on key upstream raw materials such as lithium iodide and lithium sulfide. This is regarded by the industry as a significant milestone in the industrialisation of sulfide electrolytes. LionGo New Energy, with its comprehensive technology roadmap covering "liquid-hybrid solid-liquid-solid," has built a unique electrolyte industry moat.

Meanwhile, Qingtao Energy, through material innovation, has developed a new-type O/F co-doped argyrodite solid-state electrolyte. While achieving improved ionic conductivity, it has reduced raw material costs to 3.65% of those of traditional systems, clearing cost and environmental stability obstacles for the large-scale application of sulfide systems.

Academic Breakthroughs Clear the Path for Industrialisation

As the industry accelerates the industrialisation of all-solid-state batteries, laboratory research is advancing in parallel, focusing on resolving inherent bottlenecks in core technologies from the source and providing crucial support for overcoming key technical hurdles on the path to industrialisation.

Regarding the critical challenge of interface contact, a team led by Huang Xuejie from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently made a major breakthrough. The team introduced iodide ions into sulfide electrolytes for anion regulation, developing the world's first "zero-external-pressure sulfide all-solid-state lithium metal battery." This technology enables self-repair and tight contact between the electrode and electrolyte without external pressure, offering a highly promising new solution with mass-production potential for addressing the ultimate challenge of solid-solid interface impedance.

Meanwhile, new solutions have emerged to address the challenges of ion conductivity and low-temperature performance. A team led by Sun Xueliang from Ningbo Oriental University of Technology, in collaboration with international partners, has innovatively developed ultra-high-conductivity halide electrolytes and clarified the three-dimensional continuous tetrahedral transport pathway, enabling stable cycling operation of all-solid-state batteries under ultra-low temperature conditions. This significantly expands their application boundaries in extreme scenarios such as polar regions on Earth and aerospace.

These two breakthroughs, targeting the core bottlenecks of "interface contact" and "ion conduction" respectively, inject cutting-edge original innovation momentum to accelerate industrial breakthroughs.

Prospects and Challenges Coexist

With the collaborative advancement of industry, academia, and research, the commercial prospects of all-solid-state batteries are becoming increasingly clear. Research firm EVTank predicts that global solid-state battery shipments will reach 614 GWh by 2030, with all-solid-state batteries accounting for nearly 30%. Behind this optimistic forecast is a clear industrialisation timeline: semi-solid-state batteries have already achieved GWh-level shipments and are gradually penetrating the passenger vehicle market, while the mass production timetable for all-solid-state batteries has generally been moved forward from 2030 to 2027, with some leading enterprises even initiating production line design work.

However, the industry remains well aware of the technical challenges. Zhao Shengyu, Chairman of Hymson Laser, pointed out that truly resolving solid-solid interface and stability issues requires solid-state batteries to move toward semiconductorization, thin-film formation, and micro-nano structuring. Only through precise control down to the atomic structure can stability and controllability reach an ideal state—a goal that may take another decade to achieve. Yang Hongxin, Chairman and CEO of SVOLT Energy Technology, also admitted, "The related processes and equipment in the all-solid-state battery field are far from mature, and there remains a significant gap before true mass production can be achieved." This cautious attitude, alongside active planning, reflects the rationality and pragmatism of industrial development.

Please note that this news is sourced from http://www.cbea.com/djgc/202510/034070.html and translated by SMM.