调研报告 | 长三角地区碳酸锂产业专项调研报告

Research Background - The purpose of the research is to understand the operational status, bottlenecks, and future trends of lithium battery-related companies in the Yangtze River Delta region, especially in light of the pessimistic market sentiment due to lithium carbonate prices dropping below 60,000 yuan/ton [1][3] - The research was conducted from July 7 to July 11, 2025, focusing on companies involved in lithium carbonate consumption, trade, and recycling in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui [2] Research Summary - The research covered various types of companies in the lithium battery supply chain, including recycling firms, anode and cathode material producers, and lithium ore and salt traders. Key topics included current development status, business layout, challenges, market price outlook, and future development plans [3] - Upstream producers face cost inversion issues, while downstream anode manufacturers deal with price pressure from battery manufacturers and intense competition. Traders are limited by a flat term structure, reducing profit margins. Despite these challenges, companies remain optimistic about the new energy sector as a strategic industry and are not planning to exit [3][4] Recycling Enterprises - Recycling companies are facing difficulties in raw material procurement and cost inversion, with operating rates generally below 20%. The current oversupply of primary lithium means that the market does not require recycled lithium at this time. A significant recovery in recycling is expected post-2028 as large-scale battery retirements occur [6][8] - Company A has an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons for battery material recycling, with a lithium recovery capacity of 30,000 tons. However, it primarily operates as an OEM due to raw material constraints, with a current operating rate of about 20% [7][8] - Company B is building a comprehensive recycling project with a capacity of 200,000 tons, focusing on ternary lithium batteries. It has achieved a recovery capacity of over 80,000 tons and aims to become an industry leader with an annual output value exceeding 10 billion yuan in five years [9] - Company C plans to reach a recycling capacity of 1 million tons by 2032, with a market share of over 25%. It utilizes a unique process that reduces energy costs by 30% and is currently limited by raw material availability [11] Anode Material Production Enterprises - Anode material production remains dominated by lithium iron phosphate, with ternary materials facing significant competition. Sodium batteries currently lack sufficient application scenarios and are unlikely to replace lithium batteries [12] - Company A has a planned capacity of 500,000 tons for lithium iron phosphate, with the first phase already in production. It is currently not profitable and relies on other production lines for support [13][14] - Company B focuses on high-nickel ternary and sodium battery materials, facing severe price pressure and competition. It plans to maintain a small capacity for ternary materials while increasing sodium battery production [15][16] Lithium Ore and Salt Traders - Domestic lithium ore traders primarily source from Zimbabwe and Nigeria, facing challenges due to poor mining planning and political environments in these countries. The current price of lithium carbonate makes it difficult to source ore profitably [18][21] - Trader A has a significant presence in lithium carbonate trading, with a monthly trade volume of several hundred tons and a recent increase in bid volume to 5,000 tons per day [19] - Trader B has begun trading lithium mica and plans to shift to lithium spodumene, facing challenges in sourcing due to low prices and political instability in Nigeria [21] - Trader D, a major lithium carbonate trader, maintains a stock of 6,000-7,000 tons to support a trade volume of 5,000 tons per month, indicating a cautious outlook for lithium carbonate prices in the second half of the year [24]