Chinese battery maker Gotion High-tech has signed a strategic partnership agreement with German chemical giant BASF to push forward the development of solid-state battery technology. The deal, sealed in Hefei, Anhui province, focuses on joint R&D of high-performance core materials for next-generation solid-state batteries, with an eye on solving the technical hurdles standing in the way of commercial rollout.

Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the two companies are now aiming to speed up the journey of solid-state batteries into mass-produced EVs within the next two years. Gotion says the effort will involve innovations across a range of key materials and manufacturing processes, bringing together BASF’s strength in materials science and Gotion’s own expertise in battery production.

Gotion has already fired up a 0.2 GWh pilot line for its Gemstone all-solid-state battery, which boasts a yield rate of over 90% and energy density hitting 300 Wh/kg. The Gemstone technology was first unveiled at a tech conference in May 2024, marking the company’s official entry into the all-solid-state battery arena.

According to Gotion’s development roadmap, small-scale production and initial vehicle integration trials for the Gemstone battery are slated for 2027, with full-scale mass production expected by 2030. Pan Ruijun, head of Gemstone R&D, said these timelines are set to ensure performance validation and process readiness before the technology scales up for broader market adoption.

Several of China’s top battery players have laid out similar targets, aiming for pilot production of solid-state batteries around 2027—a clear sign the industry is charging toward safer, higher-energy-density solutions. Gotion ranked fifth globally among EV battery suppliers in 2025, grabbing a 4.5% market share with 53.5 GWh of installed capacity, according to SNE Research.

By pairing Gotion’s pilot production capabilities with BASF’s advanced materials portfolio, the two partners are looking to crack the tough challenges that still stand in the way of large-scale solid-state manufacturing. The deal reflects the growing industry push as players prepare for what comes next in EV energy storage.