Solid‑State Battery Weekly Review Hybrid Solid‑Liquid Mass Production Set, All‑Solid‑State R&D Continues

[Solid-State Battery: Huashang Zhongke Successfully Completes Pilot Trial of 99.95% High-Purity Lithium Sulphide; Multiple Enterprises in Shandong Deploy Lithium Sulphide] On July 22, 2026, information from Huashang Zhongke’s official account. Qingdao Huashang Zhongke New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. announced that its pilot-produced lithium sulphide was tested by the National Power Battery Innovation Center of the Guolian Automotive Power Battery Research Institute (with CMA/CNAS qualifications), and the product purity reached 99.95%. Relying on technology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the company overcame barriers such as anhydrous and oxygen-free sealed synthesis and multi-stage deep purification, and has completed construction of a pilot R&D production line with an annual capacity of 60 mt of sulphide solid-state electrolyte. Huashang Zhongke is a participating drafting unit of the national standard for solid-state batteries. Enterprises in Shandong that have deployed lithium sulphide include Ruifu, Taihe, Dayao, Wanrun Co., Ltd., Yifeng New Material, Zhongke Yuanben, etc.

[SMM Lithium Battery Electrolyte Market Weekly Review: Electrolyte Prices Stabilized This Week (July 20-23, 2026)] From July 20 to 23, 2026, electrolyte prices stabilized. The future trajectory of electrolyte market prices still requires ongoing monitoring of raw material price fluctuations and their transmission.

According to a July 21 local time report by Nikkei Asia and global battery value chain analysis, Sumitomo Chemical plans to shift to full-scale mass production of halide-based solid electrolyte materials from fiscal 2028. The materials were developed through joint research with Kyoto University and Tottori University.

Expert Views Clash as Hybrid Solid‑Liquid Battery Mass Production Kicks Off in 2026, While All‑Solid‑State Still Builds Momentum

[SMM Analysis: Expert Opinions Clash – Semi-Solid-State Battery Mass Production Year Begins, All-Solid-State Still Building Momentum] 2026 is widely regarded by the industry as the "mass production year" for semi-solid-state batteries. However, expert opinions on the industrial positioning and time pace of semi-solid-state and all-solid-state batteries are markedly divided. SVOLT Energy Technology Chairman Yang Hongxin and Huang Xuejie from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, among others, lean toward the view that "semi-solid-state will be the long-term mainstream," while CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun and Gotion High-tech Chief Scientist Zhu Xingbao remain cautiously optimistic about all-solid-state batteries from the perspectives of technological maturity and cost.

[Solid-State Battery: South Korea's ECOPRO BM Unveils Development Roadmap for Core Materials of All-Solid-State Batteries] On July 16, 2026, ECOPRO BM held a corporate briefing for general investors at the NH Investment & Securities headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, where Management Representative Kim Jangwoo, R&D Executive Director Gong Bohyeon, and Procurement Executive Director Shin Hosang attended and spoke. On July 19, the company officially unveiled its development roadmap for core materials of all-solid-state batteries, covering solid-state electrolytes, next-generation cathode and anode materials, and sodium-ion batteries.

According to Nikkei, Sumitomo Chemical plans to start mass production of a new-type solid-state battery electrolyte material for EVs as early as fiscal year 2028, a move expected to reduce costs without sacrificing performance. The new electrolyte adopts a halide system, with chlorine and other elements as the main components, and is expected to be an alternative to sulphide and oxide electrolyte materials. The material was jointly developed by Sumitomo Chemical, Kyoto University, and Tottori University.

Recently, the Hubei Songshi New Materials annual 4,000-ton lithium battery fine chemical project commenced production in Xiantao, Hubei. The project focuses on the research, development, and production of core additives for high-end lithium battery electrolytes, breaking foreign technological monopolies. Its key performance indicators exceed industry standards, and the product holds the top market share in China.

[SMM Tin Morning Brief: South Korea's semiconductor exports surge YoY, reaffirming AI boom; tin prices consolidate at highs with "capped above and supported below"]