From 0.5 GW to 2 GWh by 2026: In-Depth Analysis of Firm-Lithium Sulphide Solid-State Battery Layout

SMM, December 9 News:

Key Points: Shanghai Firm-Lithium has established 0.5GWh sulphide all-solid-state battery and 30mt-scale electrolyte mass production lines in Shanghai, Jiangxi, and Changzhou by 2025, with pouch battery cells achieving 410Wh/kg and 2,000 cycles. It has secured designations from automakers such as SAIC and FAW, and plans to expand to 2GWh by 2026, taking the lead in achieving batch deliveries across consumer, small power, and automotive applications.

Firm-Lithium Technology is a startup in the solid-state battery sector, focusing on the R&D, production, and sales of sulphide all-solid-state lithium battery technology. Its products include sulphide electrolytes and solid-state batteries, aiming to address key technical challenges across the entire supply chain of sulphide solid-state batteries, from materials and battery cells to manufacturing processes. The following article provides insights into Firm-Lithium's solid-state battery layout and an analysis of its development.

I. Technical Route and Solid-State Batteries: Sulphide All-Solid-State Batteries (Sulphide Electrolyte + Lithium/Silicon-Based Anode)

Firm-Lithium has selected sulphide solid electrolytes as its core electrolyte material, leveraging unique synthesis processes, matched anode/cathode material systems, and distinctive battery structural designs to overcome global challenges such as air sensitivity, high interfacial impedance, and difficulties in large-scale production of sulphide electrolytes. Three major technological innovations include: 1) developing high-stability sulphide electrolytes with an ionic conductivity of 17mS/cm; 2) implementing a lithium metal anode modification project to enhance affinity with electrolytes; and 3) optimizing interfacial engineering to improve compatibility between electrolytes and electrodes.

The developed 2Ah and 5Ah all-solid-state battery pouch cells have demonstrated an energy density of 410Wh/kg and a charge-discharge cycle life exceeding 2,000 cycles. In terms of material segmentation, eight different specifications of sulphide electrolyte products have been formed to meet the differentiated needs of battery anodes, cathodes, and electrolyte layers. Additionally, a specialized adhesive has been developed to address the volume expansion issue of silicon-based anodes.
Current Objective: To comprehensively tackle key core technologies for high-safety sulphide all-solid-state lithium batteries with an energy density exceeding 450Wh/kg.
II. Development History and Industrial Layout: Product Iteration + Shanghai Lingang Pilot Line Launch

In 2018, a multidisciplinary R&D team for all-solid-state batteries was established. Professor Zhang Xi formed a multidisciplinary R&D team to officially venture into the R&D of solid electrolytes, a core material for all-solid-state batteries. This team, led by two national-level talents and 19 PhDs, spans multiple fields including materials science, electrochemistry, and mechanical engineering. Their clear objective is to overcome the preparation challenges of sulphide solid electrolytes and build a solid technical foundation for the large-scale development of China's all-solid-state battery industry.
In 2020, experimental R&D preparation for sulphide all-solid-state electrolytes + preparation of 1Ah cells using sulphide all-solid-state electrolytes;
In 2021, the company was registered and established + preparation of 2Ah cells using sulphide all-solid-state electrolytes;
In 2022, the first phase of the pilot base with a capacity of 100MWh/year was completed;
In 2023, preparation of 5Ah cells using sulphide all-solid-state electrolytes, with self-developed all-solid-state electrolytes achieving an ionic conductivity breakthrough of 17mS/cm, leading the world, and securing the first electrolyte orders.
In 2024, the second phase of the pilot base with a capacity of 300MWh/year (0.3GWh/year) was completed;
In May 2024, the R&D and pilot base in Shanghai Lingang was completed;
On September 3, 2024, a cooperation framework agreement was signed for the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area and Firm-Lithium New Energy's all-solid-state battery heavy-duty R&D and production base project, aiming to establish production bases and R&D centers for all-solid-state batteries, electrolytes, and self-developed equipment.
In October 2024, Jiangxi Firm-Lithium's 500MWh sulphide all-solid-state battery mass production line officially commenced operations, taking the lead in achieving mass production of 3C products.
On August 19, 2025, the all-solid-state battery key core material production project of Jiangsu Yicai (a subsidiary of Firm-Lithium) in Changzhou High-Tech Zone officially commenced operations at Benniu Smart Manufacturing Port. The first phase of the project has a total investment of 200 million yuan and a designed annual capacity of 30mt, focusing on sulphide solid electrolytes.
Before 2026, an investment of 700 million yuan will be made to build a battery production line with a total capacity of 2GWh, targeting a yield rate exceeding 95%.

III. Application Scenarios and Customer Collaborations
In the large power sector, collaborating automakers include domestic renowned car makers such as SAIC, FAW, Dongfeng Motor, and JAC.
In the small power sector, a cooperation agreement has been signed with Beijing Davinci Electric Motorcycle, providing a new power solution for the electric motorcycle field.
Consumer Electronics: The company will also launch tailored all-solid-state battery products to meet market demands for higher energy density and longer driving range.
IV. Firm-Lithium Introduction and Patent Status

Founded in May 2021 by Professor Zhang Xi from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Firm-Lithium Technology is a high-tech enterprise headquartered in the Shanghai Lingang Special Area, focusing on the R&D and industrialization of high-safety sulphide all-solid-state lithium batteries. Firm-Lithium Technology has established R&D and pilot bases for sulphide all-solid-state batteries and key materials in Shanghai Lingang, a kt-scale sulphide electrolyte production base in Changzhou, Jiangsu, and a 500MWh consumer battery production base in Ganzhou, Jiangxi.

Firm-Lithium has made significant breakthroughs in all-solid-state lithium battery materials and preparation technologies, applying for over 170 intellectual property rights (including more than 150 invention patents, over 20 international PCT patents, and more than 70 authorized invention patents). It has also taken the lead in drafting and releasing China's first group standard for sulphide all-solid-state batteries ("Sulphide All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries" T/CIE189-2023) and a standard for sulphide solid electrolytes used in all-solid-state lithium batteries ("Sulphide Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries" T/CIE274-2024). Additionally, it was the first to obtain ISO9001:2015 quality management system and ISO14001 environmental management system certifications, laying a foundation for the standardized development of the industry.

V. Firm-Lithium Updates
[Solid-State Batteries: Firm-Lithium All-Solid-State Battery Launch Ceremony and Shanghai Huifeng Science Park Key Project Signing Event Held] On the morning of October 14, 2025, the Firm-Lithium All-Solid-State Battery Launch Ceremony and Shanghai Huifeng Science Park Key Project Signing Event were held. At the event, attending leaders jointly launched the Firm-Lithium New Energy Project and the Shanghai Huifeng Science Park Industrial Investment Promotion Season.
[Solid-State Batteries: Firm-Lithium's 30mt Solid Electrolyte Commences Production in Changzhou] On August 19, 2025, the all-solid-state battery key core material production project of Jiangsu Yicai New Material Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Firm-Lithium, officially commenced operations at Benniu Smart Manufacturing Port in Changzhou. The project is planned to be constructed in two phases. The first phase, with an investment of 200 million yuan, focuses on the production of 30mt of electrolytes annually; the second phase will expand the investment scale to 1.6 billion yuan, targeting an annual production of 1,000mt of electrolytes. Upon reaching full production, the project is expected to generate an annual output value of 1 billion yuan.

Analysis: Sulphide solid-state batteries represent one of the main directions for next-generation batteries, with their high production difficulty and costs posing significant barriers for many enterprises. Although several companies claim to have achieved mass production and shipments, in reality, only a limited number of small-specification products, such as batteries around 10Ah, have demonstrative applications. Sulphide solid-state batteries are still some distance away from mass production, with the nationwide promotion of sulphide solid-state battery technology still in the laboratory to small-scale demonstration phase.

According to SMM projections, all-solid-state battery shipments are expected to reach 13.5 GWh by 2028, while semi-solid-state battery shipments are forecast to reach 160 GWh. By 2030, global lithium-ion battery demand is estimated to be around 2,800 GWh, with the compound annual growth rates from 2024 to 2030 for lithium-ion battery demand in EVs, ESS, and consumer electronics at approximately 11%, 27%, and 10%, respectively. The global penetration rate of solid-state batteries is projected to be around 0.1% in 2025, and is expected to reach about 4% for all-solid-state batteries by 2030. By 2035, the global penetration rate of solid-state batteries may approach 10%.

**Note:** For further details or inquiries regarding solid-state battery development, please contact:
Phone: 021-20707860 (or WeChat: 13585549799)
Contact: Chaoxing Yang. Thank you!