2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-08-21 02:24Core Viewpoint - Shenzhen continues to lead as China's "foreign trade capital," with significant growth in exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products, particularly driven by private enterprises in the lithium battery sector [2] Group 1: Industry Overview - The lithium battery industry is crucial for applications in consumer electronics, new energy vehicles, and energy storage, with four main materials: cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator [3] - Historically, Japanese companies dominated the global lithium battery market, holding 93% market share in 2000, but Chinese companies have begun to break this monopoly [3][4] Group 2: Key Players in Shenzhen - Shenzhen has produced a group of leading companies in lithium battery materials, referred to as the "Four Swordsmen": Keda Li, Better Ray, New Zobon, and Xingyuan Material, each excelling in critical material sectors [2][6] - Keda Li has grown from a small startup to a leading manufacturer of battery precision structural components, achieving a market value exceeding 30 billion RMB, with a revenue of 6.645 billion RMB in the first half of 2023, up 22.01% year-on-year [7] - New Zobon, a top electrolyte supplier, reported a revenue of 2.002 billion RMB in Q1 2025, a 32.14% increase year-on-year, and holds over 10% market share in China [8][9] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The "Four Swordsmen" have faced challenges from international competition and market fluctuations but have maintained strong positions in their respective fields [12] - Xingyuan Material and Better Ray experienced revenue fluctuations in Q1 2025, with Xingyuan's revenue at 0.889 billion RMB, a 24.44% increase, while Better Ray's revenue decreased by 3.88% to 3.392 billion RMB [9] Group 4: Strategic Expansion - The "Four Swordsmen" are actively expanding their global presence, with Keda Li investing in production bases in Europe and New Zobon establishing multiple international facilities [10][11] - Better Ray is also pursuing international projects in Indonesia and Morocco to enhance its global competitiveness in the lithium battery materials market [11]