Lead Intelligent, a key supplier of battery manufacturing equipment, has reached a milestone: industrial-scale solid-state battery production lines capable of producing 5–8 GWh annually. This achievement signals a shift within China’s battery industry from simply expanding capacity to focusing on technological advancement. The company’s new equipment covers the entire battery production process, supporting mass production of next-generation solid-state batteries for electric vehicles.
The Shift to Tech-Driven Growth
In 2025, China’s battery sector moved beyond merely increasing output volume. The industry now prioritizes higher-value segments, integrating intelligent manufacturing and digital tools to improve efficiency. Lead Intelligent’s full solid-state battery production line includes electrode preparation, solid electrolyte membrane fabrication, cell assembly, high-pressure densification, and high-voltage formation. The system is designed to work with multiple solid electrolyte chemistries (polymer, oxide, and sulfide) and uses AI and digital twin technologies to boost yield and reduce defects.
Key Equipment Specifications
The production equipment boasts impressive technical specifications:
- Dry electrode coating speeds reach 80 m/min (anodes) and 60 m/min (cathodes).
- Film widths up to 1,000 mm, with thicknesses from 40–300 μm.
- Solid electrolyte film transfer speeds of up to 50 m/min.
- Stacking machine alignment accuracy of ±0.15 mm, with a throughput of 0.35 sec per piece.
These capabilities translate to high-capacity production (5–8 GWh per line), with energy consumption reduced by over 35% and cost per GWh reduced by over 15%.
The Importance of Solid-State Batteries
Solid-state batteries are crucial for the future of EVs because they offer higher energy density (350–400 Wh/kg for initial models, with targets of 400–700 Wh/kg) and improved safety. This means longer driving ranges and reduced risk of thermal runaway. China’s industry is moving towards GWh-class production to move solid-state battery production from the lab to real-world applications.
Major Industry Partnerships
Lead Intelligent supplies equipment to leading battery manufacturers, including CATL and BYD, whose cells power major automakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Toyota. This demonstrates the company’s role in managing rapid technological change while ensuring consistent delivery timelines. Lead Intelligent’s success has been recognized with awards for equipment innovation and solid-state battery technology.
Strong Financial Performance
For the first three quarters of 2025, Lead Intelligent reported total revenue of 10.439 billion yuan ($1.46 billion USD) and net profit of 1.186 billion yuan ($165 million USD). This represents year-on-year growth of 14.56% and 95.97%, respectively. Wang Yanqing, Chairman, attributed the growth to a focus on high-precision equipment and technical capability rather than price competition.
The company’s strategy for 2025 centers on “upward breakthroughs,” emphasizing collaboration in early-stage development, reliability, and strong relationships across the supply chain.
Lead Intelligent expects the industry to continue prioritizing precise, technology-intensive production processes in 2026. The company’s achievements demonstrate China’s commitment to becoming a global leader in next-generation battery technology.
