三星SDI筹得3500亿韩元政策资金用于本土电池与ESS供应链采购

Samsung SDI (006400.KS) has raised 350 billion won in policy funds to support domestic battery and energy storage system (ESS) materials and components firms. The move is seen as a strategy to gain a competitive edge by boosting its contribution to domestic industry ahead of bidding for the government-led 1 trillion won ESS central contract market.
According to the industry on the 5th, Samsung SDI recently borrowed 350 billion won through the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund operated by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. The company secured the funds at a low interest rate in the 3% range, with a loan maturity set at three months. This marks the first time Samsung SDI has used the supply chain fund.
The supply chain fund is a policy fund that lends money at low interest rates to companies contributing to the production of core industrial materials or components. In taking out the loan, Samsung SDI decided to use the funds to purchase battery and ESS-related materials and components produced by domestic small and mid-sized companies. A financial industry official said, "Samsung SDI repaid a significant portion of its existing loans from commercial banks and switched to the supply chain fund," adding, "The government can help small and mid-sized companies through policy funds, and Samsung SDI can reduce its procurement costs, so the interests of both sides align."
Samsung SDI's turn to the supply chain fund is interpreted as a move to reduce procurement burden while also gaining an advantage in the ESS central contract market bidding. The government is increasing ESS orders, which can store electricity produced at power plants and supply it when needed, to complement renewable energy with irregular power generation. The Korea Power Exchange has conducted two bidding rounds so far and faces a third round worth 1 trillion won next month.
The industry is paying attention to the trend of increasing weight given to contribution to the domestic industrial ecosystem in evaluation criteria. In the previous second bidding round evaluation, the weighting of non-price indicators, including the use of domestic equipment and safety, was expanded from 40% to 50%. While the third-round evaluation weighting has not yet been disclosed, the emphasis on non-price factors is expected to continue.
From an operator's perspective, strengthening the domestic supply chain is becoming even more important than securing price competitiveness. If Samsung SDI increases transactions with domestic small and mid-sized companies that struggle to find supply opportunities, it can raise the proportion of domestic materials used in its products while simultaneously strengthening the domestic industrial ecosystem.
Samsung SDI plans to use this as leverage to maintain its advantage in the contract competition. In terms of the total volume share of the first and second bidding rounds, Samsung SDI won the largest share at 55.8%. SK On and LG Energy Solution followed at 25.1% and 19%, respectively.
SK On and LG Energy Solution are also refining their production strategies to secure additional contracts. SK On plans to convert part of its line at the second plant in Seosan, Korea, to build a 3GWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production line for ESS in the second half of this year. LG Energy Solution is building an LFP production line for ESS of more than 1GWh at its Ochang energy plant, targeting operation next year.
The reason the three battery makers are focusing on the government's ESS bidding is that the success or failure of the bidding serves as a kind of reference when entering global markets such as the United States. If a company wins large volumes domestically and operates them successfully, it can expect to demonstrate both safety and business viability externally. With growth in the electric vehicle market stalling, competition among the three battery makers over ESS contracts is expected to intensify further. An industry official said, "Large power companies consider a company's business operation experience in its home country when selecting partner firms," adding, "If domestic performance lags behind competitors, it inevitably becomes disadvantageous when negotiating with global companies."