A new research lab under the center will focus on discovering new functional and affordable materials.

(Image credit: Samsung SDI)

Samsung SDI, South Korea's third-largest battery maker, has opened a new battery research and development center in China to boost its technological competitiveness.

Samsung SDI said Sunday it opened the new center, called SDI China Research and Development Center (SDIRC), in Shanghai on Saturday, according to several South Korean media reports.

The R&D center will focus on building partnerships with Chinese universities and research institutes to secure core battery technologies, according to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily on April 2.

A new research lab under the center will focus on discovering new functional and affordable materials, according to the report.

Samsung SDI opened SDI R&D Europe (SDIRE) in Munich last July and SDI R&D America (SDIRA) in Boston last August. The Chinese research arm will complete the company's worldwide network, the report noted.

Through its global R&D network, the company hopes to ensure that the key framework for battery production, including advanced manufacturing methods, facilities, are competitive for different regional environments, including Europe, the US, and China, respectively, according to a report in the Korea Herald.

"By leveraging global technological competence and talent pools, we will further bolster our pursuit of outstanding technological competitiveness," the report quoted Samsung SDI President and CEO Choi Yoon-ho as saying.

Samsung SDI is the sixth largest battery maker in the world, with a 4.9 percent share in January-February, according to data released by South Korean market research firm SNE Research on March 30.

CATL continued to rank No. 1 in January-February with a 33.9 percent share, the only global battery maker with a share of more than 30 percent.

LG Energy Solution and SK On are the two largest battery manufacturers in Korea, with 13.3 percent and 5.5 percent shares in January-February, ranking third and fifth respectively in the world.

Global EV battery market share in Jan-Feb: CATL 33.9%, BYD 18.2%