China’s Ganfeng Lithium has started mass producing semi-solid-state batteries that pack up to 650 watt-hours per kilogram. The world’s largest lithium metal maker achieved this energy density using a special lithium alloy that solves major safety problems.
The Ganfeng Lithium company announced it is now mass producing a new lithium-hybrid semi-solid-state battery. These cells deliver an energy density between 400 and 650 Wh/kg, which is nearly double what most current electric car batteries offer.
Ganfeng is China’s largest lithium compounds producer and controls about 45 percent of the global lithium metal market. The company supplies battery materials to Tesla, Volkswagen, Hyundai, BMW, and several Chinese automakers. It recently signed a four-year deal with Hyundai for lithium hydroxide.
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Regular lithium batteries have a big flaw. They grow tiny metal fibers called dendrites inside that can cause short circuits and fires. The batteries also lose capacity over time and can catch fire if damaged.
Ganfeng fixed these issues by using a multi-element lithium alloy instead of pure lithium metal. This alloy creates a stable framework that stops dendrites from growing. The battery handles fast 3C charging and achieves a critical current density of 50 mA per square centimeter.
The battery features a “zero-strain” lithium alloy anode paired with a sulfur cathode. During charging and discharging, the anode expands only 3 to 5 percent — far less than pure lithium. The cells passed nail penetration tests and survived heating up to 250 degrees Celsius without catching fire.
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Right now these batteries are used in non-automotive products like drones, robots, and industrial equipment. Ganfeng has tested over 500 small samples and moved 20 formulations into mass production . The company is also working on all-solid-state batteries that are currently at the sample stage.
This matters because better batteries mean longer driving range and safer electric vehicles. Automakers including Toyota, Volkswagen, and CATL plan to start small-scale solid-state production around 2027 or 2028. Ganfeng’s head start in mass production could accelerate when these advanced batteries reach everyday electric cars.
