Core Viewpoint - The Mesocarbon Microbeads (MCMB) industry in China is transitioning from rapid growth to high-quality development, with a projected market size of approximately 7.559 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4.46% [1][6]. Industry Overview - MCMB is a key carbon material produced from heavy aromatic compounds like asphalt and coal tar through thermal treatment, characterized by its unique anisotropic liquid crystal structure [2]. - MCMB exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, chemical stability, thermal stability, and ease of graphitization, making it essential for applications in lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, catalyst carriers, and composite materials [2]. Production Process - The production methods for MCMB are categorized into direct polymerization and indirect methods, with the latter further divided into suspension and emulsion methods. Direct polymerization is cost-effective but has inherent defects like low yield and high impurity content, while indirect methods yield higher quality products but are more complex and costly [4]. - The industry employs a gradient complementary structure of cost and performance, requiring companies to balance production methods based on market demands for yield, purity, and particle size precision [4]. Industry Chain - The upstream of the MCMB industry chain includes raw materials such as coal tar, petroleum pitch, and carbon black, while the midstream focuses on the production of MCMB. The downstream applications include lithium-ion batteries, high-strength composite materials, and chromatography column fillers [5]. - The "dual carbon" strategy and policies promoting new energy vehicles are driving the demand for power batteries, with a significant increase in lithium battery shipments, which reached 776 GWh in the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 68% [5]. Market Size - The MCMB industry is at a critical turning point, with a market size projected at 7.559 billion yuan in 2024, growing by 4.46% year-on-year. Continuous optimization of production processes has improved particle size uniformity and enhanced performance in fast charging and low-temperature applications [6][7]. Key Companies' Performance - The MCMB industry is characterized by a concentration of leading companies like BETTERRY and Shanshan, which leverage technological advancements and scale advantages. BETTERRY leads in high-capacity products, while Shanshan dominates the mid-to-low-end market through cost control [8]. - BETTERRY has a production capacity of 16,500 tons of MCMB annually and holds over 70 national and international patents, achieving a particle size control precision of ±0.8 μm [8]. - Baotailong, another key player, has developed a unique business model integrating coal chemical processes with new materials, achieving over 90% self-sufficiency in raw materials [8]. Industry Development Trends 1. Technological Innovation and Performance Breakthroughs: The industry is advancing through continuous technological innovations, with traditional methods being optimized and new techniques like low-temperature plasma and microwave radiation showing promise [9]. 2. Diversified Market Demand: The demand for MCMB is growing due to the increasing sales of new energy vehicles and the explosive growth of the energy storage market, driven by policies and technological advancements [10]. 3. Green Upgrading and Circular Economy: The "dual carbon" goals are pushing the industry towards greener practices, with companies adopting closed-loop solvent recovery systems and focusing on waste reduction and recycling [10].