储能需求超预期驱动，锂电电解液产业链迎涨价与扩产热潮

Core Insights - The recent surge in prices of various chemical and industrial products, particularly lithium battery electrolyte materials, has raised significant market interest and questions regarding the drivers of this price increase, its sustainability, and the potential for performance recovery among upstream and downstream companies in the industry [1] Price Trends in Electrolyte Industry - Prices for key lithium battery electrolyte components have risen sharply, with carbonates and lithium hexafluorophosphate seeing significant increases. For instance, carbonates like VC rose by 3000 CNY/ton to an average of 168,000 CNY/ton, while lithium hexafluorophosphate reached 163,000 CNY/ton after a 2500 CNY/ton increase [2] - The price of battery-grade lithium carbonate increased by 1.03%, with industrial-grade lithium carbonate rising by 750 CNY/ton. The price of lithium hexafluorophosphate has more than doubled since July 18, when it was 49,800 CNY/ton [2] Market Demand and Growth - The demand for lithium battery materials is being driven by robust growth in both the power battery and energy storage sectors, with companies like Huasheng Lithium Battery noting a significant increase in demand for related materials [3] - Analysts predict that the energy storage market will see explosive growth, with domestic energy storage orders expected to exceed 250 GWh by mid-2025, marking an 86% year-on-year increase [3] Company Outlook and Production Plans - Companies such as New Zobang and Tianqi Materials are optimistic about future price trends, with New Zobang expecting prices to remain within a range that supports reasonable profit margins and ongoing R&D investments [4] - Tianqi Materials indicated that the price increase for lithium hexafluorophosphate is expected to continue into November and December, with production levels maintained at 3,800 tons per month [5] - Several companies are ramping up production capacity, with Shenzhen New Star planning to complete a 7,200-ton capacity for lithium hexafluorophosphate by mid-2024, while Jinshi Resources is investing in a project to produce 15,000 tons of lithium hexafluorophosphate [5][6] Capacity Expansion Plans - Fuxiang Pharmaceutical plans to increase its VC product capacity to 10,000 tons per year by Q2 2026, with potential further expansions based on market demand [6] - New Zobang's subsidiary, Hankan Electronic Materials, currently has a VC capacity of 10,000 tons and is building an additional 5,000 tons, expected to be operational by the second half of 2026 [7]