Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-23 04:58Core Insights - The Chinese lithium battery storage industry is undergoing significant expansion, with 132 new lithium-ion battery manufacturing projects planned to achieve an annual capacity of 1803 GWh by the end of 2025, backed by a total investment of approximately 428.27 billion yuan [1][23][20] Regional Distribution - The geographical distribution of lithium battery production capacity is shifting from a previously concentrated model in the southeast coastal regions to a more collaborative structure involving East China leading, Central China rising, and Southwest China advancing [3][25] - East China remains a cornerstone, with Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang leveraging their mature chemical industry foundations and supply chain advantages to become core manufacturing hubs [3][25] - Central China, particularly Hubei, is emerging as a significant player with a storage industry cluster generating over 60 billion yuan, achieving over 20% of the national power battery capacity [5][28] - Southwest China, led by Sichuan, is attracting large-scale energy-sensitive storage battery projects due to its abundant hydropower resources and lower electricity costs [8][31] Technological Developments - Phosphate iron lithium (LFP) batteries maintain a dominant position, accounting for 81.2% of the loading volume in power and storage sectors, with a 51.4% year-on-year increase in exports [9][32] - Sodium-ion batteries are transitioning from laboratory to industrial production, presenting a strategic reserve for addressing lithium resource fluctuations [11][34] - Solid-state batteries are making strides in industrialization, with projects in Sichuan and Anhui exceeding 5 billion yuan in total investment [11][34] - The penetration of large cylindrical batteries is accelerating, with projections indicating global production capacity could exceed 300 GWh by 2026 [11][34] Competitive Landscape - Leading companies like CATL are expanding aggressively, with individual project investments exceeding 10 billion yuan and capacity planning reaching 10 GWh [12][35] - The second-tier players are intensifying their positioning battles, with companies like Guoxuan High-Tech and others focusing on niche markets and specific technologies [12][38] - The number of newly registered lithium battery-related companies reached approximately 37,000 in the first 11 months of 2025, indicating strong capital and entrepreneurial interest in the sector [12][38] Project Progress - As of November 2025, 74 projects are in substantial stages of construction, representing nearly 70% of the total planned projects, with 30 newly started, 23 under construction, and 21 already in production [16][39] - There are 28 projects in preliminary stages, with 12 already partially completed, indicating a steady influx of new capacity into the market [19][42] Structural Changes - The expansion of capacity is characterized by a supply-side structural reform, focusing on high-quality replacements rather than low-level repetitive construction [20][43] - New production lines are targeting high-capacity cells of 314 Ah and above, leading to the exit of outdated capacities under price and technological pressures [20][43] - Companies with integrated capabilities from lithium mining to recycling are gaining advantages in cost control and supply chain security [20][43] - Chinese storage enterprises are accelerating localized capacity layouts in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North Africa to navigate complex international trade environments [22][45]