Core Viewpoint - The lithium hexafluorophosphate market is experiencing a rapid price increase, with prices rising from approximately 49,300 yuan/ton in July to over 150,000 yuan/ton by November 17, marking an increase of over 200% in just four months [1][2]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The price surge is attributed to a mismatch between supply and demand, with previous industry adjustments leading to a significant drop in prices to around 47,000 yuan/ton, causing many small and medium enterprises to halt production due to losses [2]. - The demand side is driven by a "rush to install" in the energy storage sector, with lithium battery shipments in China reaching 430 GWh in the first three quarters of this year, exceeding the total for 2024 [2]. - New production capacity for lithium hexafluorophosphate is constrained by long expansion cycles and stringent approvals, leading to insufficient supply to meet the surging demand [2]. Profitability and Market Positioning - The rising price of lithium hexafluorophosphate, which constitutes 40% to 50% of the total cost of electrolyte solutions, is leading to a divergence in profitability within the electrolyte industry [3]. - Companies with integrated supply capabilities, such as Tianqi Materials, are benefiting from cost advantages, while those reliant on external sourcing face high procurement costs [3]. - Tianqi Materials reported a revenue of 3.814 billion yuan for Q3 2025, a year-on-year increase of 11.75%, with a net profit of 153 million yuan, up 51.53% [3]. Market Outlook - The market sentiment is generally bullish in the short term, with expectations that the supply-demand tightness will persist at least until mid-2026, keeping prices in the range of 80,000 to 120,000 yuan/ton [4]. - Downstream battery manufacturers are proactively securing long-term supply agreements with electrolyte suppliers, with Tianqi Materials announcing contracts for a total supply of 1.595 million tons from 2026 to 2028 [4]. - Analysts suggest that the rapid price increase of lithium hexafluorophosphate indicates a tightening supply-demand balance, signaling the potential onset of a price increase cycle for the industry [5].
六氟磷酸锂价格飙涨重塑利润链