韩国The Elec独家：Mplus为QuantumScape开发全固态电池组装设备并进入量产验证，韩设备商切入下一代电池链

US solid-state battery maker QuantumScape, backed by Volkswagen and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is working with a South Korean equipment supplier. The development could expand the role of Korean companies beyond conventional lithium-ion batteries into the next-generation battery market.
According to industry sources on Oct. 20, Mplus has developed assembly equipment for QuantumScape’s solid-state batteries and is conducting validation for mass production. QuantumScape completed its Eagle Line pilot production facility at its headquarters in San Jose, California, in February. The company is currently increasing sample production of its first commercial product, the QSE-5, at the facility.
The uptime of key production equipment has exceeded 90%. Uptime refers to the proportion of available operating time during which equipment functions normally.
“Among US solid-state and lithium-metal battery startups, QuantumScape has one of the most developed production infrastructures, including dry rooms,” an industry official said. “Because next-generation battery manufacturing processes differ among companies and mass-production viability has yet to be fully demonstrated, commercialization will depend on how quickly manufacturers can achieve sufficient production speeds and yields.”
QuantumScape is supplying samples to Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo and other companies to evaluate battery performance and practical applications. It has jointly developed next-generation batteries with Volkswagen since 2012 and has received more than $300 million in cumulative investment from the automaker.
Volkswagen invested in QuantumScape to secure next-generation battery technology that could improve electric vehicle driving range and safety. Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material. By eliminating flammable organic solvent-based liquid electrolytes, they reduce fire risks. They can also accommodate more energy within the same volume by reducing the components and space required to ensure internal battery safety.
The core of QuantumScape’s technology is its proprietary ceramic separator. Conventional lithium-ion batteries use a porous separator between the cathode and anode, along with a liquid electrolyte that allows lithium ions to move between them. QuantumScape’s ceramic separator prevents direct contact between the electrodes while allowing lithium ions to pass through. The company has partnered with Corning and Murata to mass-produce the ceramic separators.
Another distinguishing feature is its anode-free architecture. Instead of mixing and coating anode active materials such as graphite, the design uses only an anode current collector, reducing associated material and production costs.
In QuantumScape’s manufacturing process, ceramic separators are laminated onto copper foil used as the anode current collector after the cathode electrode process. Cathodes are then attached to both sides to form individual units called monocells.
The monocells are subsequently immersed in and removed from a solution containing catholyte, a liquid electrolyte that facilitates lithium-ion movement between cathode active materials. Multiple monocells are stacked to complete a battery cell. After packaging, QuantumScape simplifies the formation process, which stabilizes battery performance through initial charging and discharging, to reduce production time and costs.
Beyond expanding its own manufacturing facilities, QuantumScape is pursuing a licensing business that would allow other companies to use its battery manufacturing technology. It has signed a technology licensing agreement with PowerCo covering battery production capacity of up to 85 GWh.
QuantumScape is also considering outsourcing production line operations to external companies. It is reportedly holding related discussions with South Korean battery manufacturers. If its manufacturing technology expands to external production facilities, Mplus could secure additional equipment orders, having developed machinery tailored to QuantumScape’s processes.
Mplus has secured equipment technologies required for QuantumScape’s battery manufacturing process. As with conventional lithium-ion batteries, the process involves notching, which cuts electrodes to specified dimensions; stacking, which layers multiple electrodes; and packaging, which encloses the cells in external materials.
Mplus can supply a complete range of assembly equipment for these processes, as well as specialized high-temperature and high-pressure equipment required for solid-state battery production.
Mplus has also diversified its customer base. SK On accounted for more than 80% of its revenue in 2022, but that share fell to approximately 22% in 2025, while other customers’ combined contribution rose to nearly half of revenue.
The company has expanded its order base among US and European battery manufacturers. It recently supplied equipment for producing prismatic batteries for defense applications to a European battery company, believed to be France’s Saft. Mplus is pursuing additional orders and is reportedly close to signing a new contract.
“We cannot confirm specific details concerning our customers,” an Mplus official said. “We intend to drive earnings growth by securing overseas customers and expanding new orders.”
Mplus had an order backlog of 63.1 billion won at the end of the second quarter of 2026.