韩国三大电池商上半年产能利用率约50%

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by South Korean battery manufacturers in the electric vehicle market due to the rapid expansion of Chinese companies, highlighting a significant decline in production capacity utilization rates among major South Korean firms [2][3][4]. Group 1: South Korean Battery Manufacturers' Performance - LG Energy Solution reported an average capacity utilization rate of 51.3% in the first half of 2025, down from 69.3% in 2023 and projected to drop to 57.8% in 2024 [2]. - SK On's capacity utilization rate was 52.2% in the first half of 2025, a recovery from 43.6% in 2024 but significantly lower than 87.7% in 2023 [3]. - Samsung SDI's small battery division had a capacity utilization rate of 44%, with overall estimates around 50%, and its European factory saw rates as low as 30% to 40% in Q1 2025 [3]. Group 2: Market Share and Growth Rates - The total installed capacity of electric vehicle batteries outside China grew by 23.8% year-on-year to 209.2 GWh, while the combined market share of the three major South Korean battery manufacturers fell by 8.1 percentage points to 37.5% [3][4]. - In the top ten list of electric vehicle battery installations outside China, LG Energy Solution and SK On saw year-on-year increases of 2.2% and 10.6%, reaching 43 GWh and 19.6 GWh respectively, while Samsung SDI experienced a 7.8% decline [3]. Group 3: Chinese Battery Manufacturers' Growth - Five Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturers ranked in the top ten for installations outside China, with CATL and BYD showing significant growth rates of 33.2% and 153% respectively [4]. - Other Chinese companies also reported growth rates exceeding 30% in the same period, indicating a strong competitive position against South Korean firms [4]. Group 4: R&D Investments - In response to competitive pressures, South Korean companies are increasing their R&D expenditures, with Samsung SDI spending 704 billion KRW (11.1% of sales), LG Energy Solution investing 620 billion KRW (5.2% of sales), and SK On allocating approximately 148 billion KRW (0.52% of sales) [4][5].