Hua Xia Shi Bao·2025-08-28 02:12Core Viewpoint - The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) industry is facing severe overcapacity and price declines, despite strong demand for LFP batteries, leading to significant losses for many companies in the sector [1][2][6]. Industry Overview - The first meeting of the Lithium Iron Phosphate Materials Subcommittee of the China Chemical and Physical Power Industry Association was held in Shenzhen, focusing on industry overcapacity and the elimination of outdated production capacity [1][2]. - Nine major LFP companies attended the meeting, indicating a high-level discussion on the industry's current challenges and future arrangements [1][3]. Market Dynamics - The price of LFP has plummeted from 166,000 yuan per ton at the beginning of 2023 to 36,000 yuan per ton in 2024, causing significant financial strain on leading companies [6][11]. - Despite the overall market growth, the LFP sector has become the most loss-ridden part of the battery supply chain, with only Hunan Youneng managing to maintain profitability [6][7]. Production Capacity - The LFP production capacity has expanded dramatically, from 2.12 million tons at the end of 2022 to 4.27 million tons by the end of 2023, with nominal capacity exceeding 5 million tons, which is double the previous year's shipment volume [5][6]. - The average operating rate in the industry was as low as 50.41% in June of the previous year, with only Hunan Youneng maintaining a utilization rate of 93.15% [6][11]. Financial Performance - Hunan Youneng reported a revenue of 14.358 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, a 33.17% increase, driven by a 55.38% rise in sales volume of phosphate-based cathode materials [10]. - Other companies like Dongsheng Technology and Anda Technology also reported revenue growth, although they still faced challenges with profitability [10][11]. - Anda Technology recorded a loss of 168 million yuan, but this was a 52.83% reduction compared to the previous year, indicating some improvement in financial health [11]. Future Outlook - The industry is expected to undergo a transformation towards high-end products, with increasing demand for high-density LFP materials, which could improve profitability for leading companies [8][9]. - The overall market dynamics suggest that while the LFP sector is currently struggling, there is potential for recovery as the industry addresses overcapacity and shifts towards higher-quality products [8][10].