Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-21 14:45Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the 30-year development journey of Shenzhen's lithium battery materials "Four Swordsmen," showcasing China's transition from a technology void to a global leader in the lithium battery materials industry, contributing to the growth of the "New Three Items" in China [1] Group 1: Industry Overview - Shenzhen continues to be the "first city" in foreign trade in China, with new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products leading the growth [2] - In the first half of this year, Shenzhen's private enterprises exported lithium batteries worth 30.44 billion RMB, marking a year-on-year increase of 30.4% [3] Group 2: Key Players - The "Four Swordsmen" of Shenzhen's lithium battery materials industry include KedaLi, BetterRay, New Zobon, and Xingyuan Materials, each leading in critical material sectors such as structural components, anode materials, electrolytes, and separators [5] - These companies have successfully broken the monopoly of Japanese and Korean firms in the lithium battery materials market, establishing themselves as leaders in their respective fields [12] Group 3: Historical Context - At the end of the 20th century, Japanese companies held 93% of the global lithium battery market share, creating a significant barrier for Chinese companies [8] - The emergence of Shenzhen's "Four Swordsmen" was driven by entrepreneurs who sought to overcome the high costs and technological barriers imposed by foreign firms [9][11] Group 4: Company Developments - KedaLi has grown from a small startup to a leading manufacturer of battery precision structural components, with a market value exceeding 30 billion RMB [14] - New Zobon has maintained its position as a top domestic electrolyte supplier, focusing on high-energy, high-safety, and wide-temperature range technologies [16] - Xingyuan Materials has become a global leader in lithium-ion battery separators, with a market share increase from 11.0% in 2020 to 14.4% in 2024 [19] - BetterRay has been the global leader in anode material shipments for 15 consecutive years, with a comprehensive industrial layout in natural and artificial graphite anode materials [19] Group 5: Strategic Expansion - The "Four Swordsmen" are actively expanding their global presence, with KedaLi investing in production bases in Germany, Sweden, and Hungary to meet overseas demand [20] - New Zobon has established over 20 production bases worldwide, including a profitable facility in Poland, and is expanding into South Korea and Malaysia [22] - Xingyuan Materials has built a major production base in Malaysia, while BetterRay is advancing projects in Indonesia and Morocco to enhance its global competitiveness [23][26]