从六氟磷酸锂到VC、LiFSI：电解液涨价链条加速传导

Core Viewpoint - The price of battery-grade vinyl carbonate (VC) has surged significantly since September, indicating a strong demand driven by the energy storage sector and a tight supply situation in the market [3][10][35]. Price Trends - The average price of VC rose from approximately 48,000 yuan/ton in October to 57,000 yuan/ton in early November, with a single-day increase of 5,000 yuan on November 10, reaching 66,000 yuan/ton, marking a nearly 30% increase over two months [3][4]. - Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) prices skyrocketed from about 55,000 yuan/ton in mid-September to 120,000 yuan/ton, reflecting a more than 114% increase [4]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The demand for VC is projected to exceed 70,000 tons in 2024, while the effective industry capacity is only around 80,000 tons, indicating a tight balance between supply and demand [9]. - The reliance on VC is higher in lithium iron phosphate batteries compared to ternary batteries, especially in energy storage applications [11]. Production Challenges - The supply side is constrained by slow capacity release and high environmental standards, with new production lines requiring about 12 months to establish [14][15]. - Different electrolyte manufacturers have varying certification requirements and purity standards, making it difficult to quickly expand available supply [16]. Industry Strategies - Companies are adopting strategies characterized by "upstream integration" and "process reuse" to cope with the current market conditions [17]. - For instance, Huasheng Lithium Battery is advancing a project to produce 60,000 tons of VC, while its subsidiary has initiated trial production of chlorinated vinyl carbonate (CEC), a key intermediate for VC production [18][19]. Market Outlook - The current price surge is not only a reflection of the new energy demand cycle but also signifies the rapid transition of the Chinese chemical industry towards high-value fine chemicals [36].