Shang Hai Zheng Quan Bao·2025-12-25 23:45Group 1 - The lithium battery sector is regaining market attention, driven by strong supply and demand dynamics, with a significant increase in global energy storage market demand [1][2] - The total demand for lithium batteries is projected to reach 2495 GWh by 2026, reflecting a 28% year-on-year growth from 1944 GWh in 2025, indicating a critical balance point in supply and demand [1] - The supply side shows that leading companies are currently hesitant to expand production, with a 30% growth rate identified as the threshold for potential supply shortages [1] Group 2 - Energy storage is becoming a key variable in reshaping industry growth, with expectations of over 60% growth in global energy storage installation demand by 2026 [2] - The average energy capacity per electric vehicle is expected to continue increasing, contributing to a total growth rate of over 15% in power batteries driven by the adoption of electric vehicles [2] - Solid-state battery technology is advancing from the verification phase to mass production preparation, with significant developments expected in the second half of 2025 [2] Group 3 - The midstream materials segment of the lithium battery industry is anticipated to see profitability improvements in 2026, benefiting from high demand for energy storage [3] - Key beneficiaries of the growth include leading battery manufacturers such as CATL, EVE Energy, and Guoxuan High-Tech, which are well-positioned to capitalize on global energy storage demand [3] - The materials chain is expected to experience significant profitability due to supply-side reforms and high-end product penetration, with companies like Tianqi Lithium and Hunan Youneng highlighted as potential investment opportunities [3]