锂电铜箔供应预警

Core Viewpoint - The supply warning for lithium battery copper foil is driven by multiple factors including limited capacity expansion, tightening copper resources, and an upgrade in demand structure [2] Group 1: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The lithium battery copper foil industry has seen limited capacity expansion over the past one to two years, with many companies operating at a loss and showing low enthusiasm for expansion [3] - Major battery manufacturers are accelerating the signing of long-term supply agreements with copper foil manufacturers to mitigate uncertainties related to material supply and price fluctuations [4] - Notable agreements include CATL with Jiayuan Technology and Zhongxin Innovation with Nord, locking in a total supply of 373,000 tons and 626,000 tons respectively for the years 2026 to 2028 [5] Group 2: Price Trends and Market Conditions - A significant price increase for lithium battery copper foil began in December 2025, with 4.5μm ultra-thin copper foil prices rising by 2,000 CNY/ton in one day, reaching 123,000 CNY/ton [7] - The processing fees for 6μm lithium battery copper foil ranged between 17,000 to 21,000 CNY/ton in December, indicating a structural supply tightness due to high production difficulty and slow yield ramp-up [7] - The shipment volume of lithium battery copper foil in China is projected to reach approximately 940,000 tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of over 36%, with expectations of 1.15 to 1.2 million tons in 2026 [7] Group 3: Resource Constraints and Competitive Landscape - The overall copper price has remained high since 2025, with major copper mining regions facing challenges such as declining ore grades and project delays, leading to a continued tight supply of copper concentrate [8] - The rapid development of the AI industry has further increased demand for copper resources, particularly for high-end electronic circuit copper foil, which has a strong "absorption effect" on raw materials and capacity [8] - Several copper foil companies are increasing their focus on electronic copper foil, with some capacity being flexibly switched between lithium battery and electronic applications, further constraining the available supply for lithium battery copper foil [9]