GF SECURITIES·2026-03-10 13:29Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Buy" [2] Core Insights - CATL's capacity utilization rate has reached a historical high of 96.9% by the end of 2025, indicating a strong need for capacity expansion due to the inability to meet future order growth [6] - There is a strong and urgent demand for lithium battery equipment driven by the need for capacity expansion, with CATL's planned capacity under construction reaching 321 GWh by the end of 2025 [6] - The demand for lithium batteries is supported by dual drivers: the growth in power batteries and energy storage batteries, with sales growth of 41.85% and 29.13% respectively in 2025 [6] - New technologies such as solid-state batteries and dry electrode processes are expected to bring additional growth opportunities for equipment manufacturers [6] - Investment recommendations include focusing on equipment manufacturers with complete line delivery capabilities and those benefiting from new technologies [6] Summary by Sections Industry Overview - CATL's total battery capacity reached 772 GWh with a production of 748 GWh in 2025, marking a significant increase in capacity utilization compared to previous cycles [6] Demand Drivers - The urgent need for capacity expansion is highlighted by CATL's inability to fulfill all orders due to current production limits [6] - The strong market demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions is expected to continue driving lithium battery demand [6] Technological Advancements - Solid-state batteries are projected to enter mass production between 2027 and 2028, which will create new investment opportunities in equipment [6] - The dry electrode process is anticipated to reduce costs by over 50% and increase demand for related equipment [6] Investment Recommendations - Focus on leading manufacturers such as XianDao Intelligent, HaiMuXing, and LiYuanHeng for their strong ties with major clients [6] - Consider companies benefiting from advancements in solid-state and dry electrode technologies, such as HongGong Technology and Nacono [6]