BYD supplier Lead Intelligent pushes solid-state battery production to 5–8 GWh per line
China’s Lead Intelligent, a supplier of battery production equipment, has reached an industrial-scale milestone in solid-state battery manufacturing, with production lines capable of producing 5–8 GWh per year. In a recent interview, Chairman Wang Yanqing said the company’s latest equipment covers the full battery production chain and supports industrial-scale production of next-generation solid-state batteries for electric vehicles.
Wang described 2025 as a year in which the Chinese battery industry shifted from growth driven by production scale toward technology-driven development. Companies are increasingly focusing on higher-value segments and integrating intelligent manufacturing and digital tools to optimise production efficiency. Lead Intelligent has developed a full solid-state battery production line covering the complete manufacturing chain, including electrode preparation, solid electrolyte membrane fabrication, cell assembly, high-pressure densification, and high-voltage formation. The equipment supports multiple solid electrolyte chemistries, including polymer, oxide, and sulfide, and incorporates AI and digital twin technologies to improve yield and reduce defects.
Technical figures for the production equipment include dry electrode coating speeds of approximately 80 meters per minute for anodes and 60 meters per minute for cathodes, with film widths up to 1,000 millimetres and thicknesses from 40 to 300 micrometres. The solid electrolyte film composite transfer speed reaches up to 50 meters per minute, and the stacking machine alignment accuracy is ±0.15 millimetres, with a throughput of about 0.35 seconds per piece. High-capacity production potential is 5–8 GWh per line, with energy consumption reduced by more than 35 percent and cost per GWh reduced by over 15 percent.
These systems are designed to support next-generation solid-state batteries, which in China are targeting energy densities around 350–400 Wh/kg for early industrial models, with research aiming for 400–700 Wh/kg in future electric vehicle applications. High energy density is critical for achieving extended EV range and maintaining battery safety. T
he 5–8 GWh line capacity aligns with China’s broader industry goals for GWh-class production, as domestic solid-state battery manufacturers increasingly target large-scale production lines to transition from research and development to scalable industrial output. Existing lines, such as CATL’s 5 GWh solid-state lines, are already in operation or planned for ramp-up, suggesting Lead Intelligent’s capability is comparable with emerging industrial norms.
Wang noted that the company completed batch deliveries of solid-state production equipment to leading battery manufacturers and supplies equipment to major battery makers whose cells feed global automakers, including CATL, BYD, BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, Volkswagen, and Toyota. These developments reflect efforts to manage rapid technological changes while maintaining consistent delivery timelines. In 2025, Lead Intelligent received the Outstanding Equipment Supplier Award for Solid-State Batteries and the China Solid-State Cell Equipment Technology Innovation Award.
These recognitions highlight the company’s technical integration of electrode preparation, electrolyte membrane processing, cell assembly, densification, and formation. The awards reflect industry recognition of the company’s role in enabling the industrialisation of solid-state batteries and supporting broader technical progress toward high-energy-density cells for electric vehicle applications.
Financially, the company reported total revenue of 10.439 billion yuan (1.46 billion USD) and net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.186 billion yuan (165 million USD) for the first three quarters of 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 14.56 per cent and 95.97 per cent, respectively. Wang attributed the growth to the company’s focus on high-precision equipment and technical capability rather than price-driven competition.
He summarised the 2025 strategy as “upward breakthroughs,” highlighting technological collaboration in early-stage solid-state battery development, establishing high standards of reliability and consistency in production, and fostering collaborative relationships with clients across the industrial chain. Wang expects the industry to continue emphasising precise, technology-intensive production processes in 2026.
