Overview
- LG Energy Solution averaged 51.3 percent plant utilization in H1 2025 while Samsung SDI’s small-battery plants fell to 44 percent and SK On rebounded to 52.2 percent.
- SNE Research data show CATL and BYD led global battery usage growth outside China, cutting the combined market share of LGES, Samsung SDI and SK On to 37.5 percent.
- Samsung SDI invested 704.4 billion won in R&D (11.1 percent of sales), LG Energy Solution spent 620.4 billion won (5.2 percent of revenue) and SK On allocated 148 billion won (0.52 percent of sales) in the first half.
- SK On’s U.S. plant ran at near full capacity supplying Hyundai’s local output while Samsung SDI’s Stellantis joint venture facility operated below 60 percent utilization.
- LGES CEO Kim Dong-myung said global battery demand likely bottomed in H1 2025 with a market recovery anticipated as early as 2026.