Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-10-20 07:42Core Viewpoint - The recent price increase of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) is driven by strong demand recovery and tight supply conditions, with downstream electrolyte and battery manufacturers showing significant demand rebound, while upstream producers have not expanded capacity significantly during the industry downturn [1][2]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The supply-demand balance for LiPF6 is marginally improving, and prices are expected to continue rising. As of October 17, 2025, the market operating rate for LiPF6 is 75.43%, and current industry inventory is at a low of 1,340 tons [1][2]. - Since mid-September, LiPF6 prices have broken out of a long-standing sideways trend, with the market average price reaching 75,000 yuan/ton, reflecting a 16.3% increase from the previous week and a 20.0% increase since the beginning of the year [2]. Industry Capacity and Profitability - China's LiPF6 production capacity is concentrated among a few companies, with a total capacity of 442,900 tons/year and an effective capacity of 389,400 tons/year, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.7%. Major producers include Tianqi Lithium (11,000 tons/year), Dongfang Electric (60,000 tons/year), and others [3]. - The industry is expected to add 304,000 tons, 518,300 tons, and 153,000 tons of new capacity in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. The continued price increase and improved capacity utilization are likely to restore profitability for leading companies in the LiPF6 sector [3]. Downstream Demand Growth - The lithium-ion battery materials industry is experiencing stable growth in demand from the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors. In the first eight months, the domestic energy storage bidding scale reached 211.11 GWh, with a 69.4% year-on-year increase in new energy storage installations in the first half of 2025 [4]. - In the electric vehicle sector, production and sales reached 6.968 million and 6.937 million units, respectively, in the first half of 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 41.4% and 40.3%. The cumulative installed capacity of power batteries reached 302.2 GWh, up 48.8% year-on-year [4]. Investment Recommendations - Given the improving supply-demand dynamics and the potential for continued price increases, attention is recommended for leading LiPF6 companies such as Tianqi Lithium (002709.SZ), Dongfang Electric (002407.SZ), Tianji Technology (002759.SZ), Shida Shenghua (603026.SH), and Xinzhou Bang (300037.SZ) [5].