Core Viewpoint - The separator industry shows signs of recovery at the beginning of this year after experiencing a downturn in 2024, with increased orders and project developments despite low prices [1] Group 1: Industry Developments - Three major separator projects have made progress recently: 1. Thick Life New Energy's lithium battery separator project in Chongqing has started with a total investment of 6.5 billion yuan, aiming for an annual production capacity of nearly 3 billion square meters by the end of 2027 [2] 2. Foshan Plastics Technology announced a plan to acquire Jinli Co., marking its entry into the new energy sector with an acquisition cost of approximately 5.08 billion yuan [2] 3. Dinghao New Materials' project in Yibin, Sichuan, has begun renovations, planning to produce 100 million square meters of separators and 6,000 tons of collecting fluid annually, with a total investment of 2 billion yuan [2] Group 2: Market Trends - The separator prices were halved in 2024, but the shipment volume reached a historical high, with global lithium battery separator shipments expected to reach 26 billion square meters in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 26.8% [4] - Some separator manufacturers have started to raise prices due to intensified competition and the depletion of resources, leading to a rise in price stabilization sentiment [5] - The China Plastics Association's initiative for high-quality development in the lithium battery separator industry has provided a rationale for price increases [6] Group 3: Technological Innovations - To break through industry constraints, companies need to focus on developing new technologies, as separators play a crucial role in battery safety [9] - Leading companies like Enjie and Xingyuan Materials are investing in technological advancements, such as semi-solid battery membranes and applications in robotics, to enhance their product offerings [10][11] - The industry anticipates a sustained price increase for dry separators due to recent orders in the energy storage sector, indicating a positive outlook for the separator market [11]