“Stable supply and demand based on clear demand” Hungary factory operation rate is in the low to mid 90% range Premium P6 mass production begins in the first quarter “Automotive battery market grows 18% this year”

Samsung SDI announced on the 30th that its sales last year reached a record high of 22.7083 trillion won, a 12.8% increase from the previous year. Sales in the automobile battery business grew by 40% due to increased sales of P5, which is installed in premium vehicles. Last year's operating profit decreased by 9.7% to 174.6 billion won. This is because the demand for electric vehicles slowed in the second half of the year (July-December), battery sales prices fell, and the overall market, including small batteries and electronic materials, was sluggish.

Samsung SDI's fourth quarter (October to December) sales and operating profit recorded KRW 401.1 billion and KRW 179 billion, respectively, down 6.7% and 36.5% from the same period last year.

Samsung SDI plans to begin mass production of P6 products, which have 10% improved energy density than P5, in the first quarter of this year (January to March). It is expected to make a meaningful contribution to sales starting from the second quarter (April to June).

In response to concerns about oversupply raised both inside and outside the industry, he emphasized that the factory is operating without disruption through stable supply and demand control. A Samsung SDI official said, “We have recorded a high operating rate through timely expansion and optimal line operation based on clear customer demand,” and added, “Hungary, our flagship company, is in the low to mid 90% range.”

Samsung SDI predicted that this year's automobile battery market will grow by about 18% compared to last year. Samsung SDI said, “Growth may slow in the short term due to continued high interest rates and economic recession, but it is expected to recover in the second half of the year.”