鑫椤储能·2025-12-04 02:46Core Viewpoint - Recent price increase demands from leading lithium iron phosphate (LFP) companies indicate a tightening supply-demand balance in the market, driven by rising raw material costs and strong demand from the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors [4][5][6]. Price Adjustments - A leading LFP company announced a price increase of 3000 yuan per ton (excluding tax) for all its iron lithium products starting January 1, 2026, with further negotiations possible if market conditions change [1]. - Another LFP company has also raised its processing fees by 3000 yuan per ton (excluding tax) effective November 1, 2025, while existing contracts will maintain their original pricing [3]. Supply-Demand Dynamics - The LFP market is currently experiencing a supply shortage, with effective production capacity utilization exceeding 95%, and some leading companies reporting over 100% utilization in the third quarter [4]. - The average debt ratio in the industry stands at 67%, indicating significant financial pressure for companies looking to expand production [4]. Industry Response to Competition - The industry is responding to government initiatives aimed at reducing "involution" or excessive competition by advocating for a pricing model based on cost indices to prevent harmful low-price competition [4][5]. - The China Chemical and Physical Power Industry Association has called for adherence to cost red lines to avoid low-price dumping and to reverse the trend of industry-wide losses [5]. Market Position and Trends - LFP batteries have become the dominant cathode material in lithium batteries, accounting for 81.5% of the installed capacity in the first three quarters of the year, a 62.7% year-on-year increase [5]. - In the energy storage sector, LFP's market share is even higher, reaching 99.9% [5]. Price Trends - As of December 1, the average spot price for power-type LFP reached 39,950 yuan per ton, with a price range of 38,400 to 41,500 yuan per ton, while energy storage-type LFP averaged 36,950 yuan per ton, ranging from 35,300 to 38,600 yuan per ton [6]. Company Developments - Longpan Technology has significantly increased its supply of LFP materials from 150,000 tons to 1.3 million tons, with an estimated total sales value exceeding 45 billion yuan [8]. - Hunan Youneng has indicated that its price increases are based on market demand exceeding supply, particularly for new product lines [8]. Future Outlook - Hunan Youneng anticipates that despite the traditional seasonal slowdown in the first quarter, strong demand from the energy storage market will provide solid support for demand in early 2024 [10].