Core Viewpoint - Samsung SDI is undergoing a significant strategic shift by signing a new contract worth over 2 trillion KRW (approximately 9.68 billion RMB) to supply square lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems in the U.S. market, transitioning its electric vehicle battery production lines to energy storage battery production lines by 2027 [2]. Group 1 - Samsung SDI has signed an agreement to supply LFP batteries for energy storage systems to U.S. customers, with a contract value exceeding 2 trillion KRW, starting deliveries in 2027 over a three-year period [2]. - The production of energy storage system battery cells will commence at Samsung SDI's facility in Indiana, which is being repurposed from electric vehicle battery production to LFP energy storage battery production [2]. - The new battery products will be integrated into the second generation of Samsung Battery Box (SBB 2.0), offering high performance, enhanced safety, and competitive pricing to support stable power supply in the renewable energy and AI era [2]. Group 2 - Samsung SDI is currently the only non-Chinese manufacturer of square batteries in the U.S., utilizing hard aluminum shell packaging that provides better resistance to external impacts and lower heat generation compared to common soft-pack cells [3]. - In November, Samsung SDI was reported to be in discussions with Tesla regarding battery supply, with indications that an agreement may lead to the supply of approximately 10 GWh of energy storage system batteries annually for at least three years, potentially exceeding 3 trillion KRW (around 15 billion RMB) in total procurement value [6]. - Samsung SDI has at least two major factories in North America, one in partnership with Stellantis in Kokomo, Indiana, expected to start production in 2025 with an initial capacity of 23 GWh, and another in New Carlisle, Indiana, in partnership with General Motors, projected to begin large-scale production in 2027 with a capacity of 27 GWh [6].