Core Viewpoint - The commercial dispute between CATL, the industry leader, and Haicheng Energy, a rising star in energy storage, has intensified due to allegations of trade secret infringement involving a key executive from Haicheng Energy [1][2]. Group 1: Company Background - Haicheng Energy was established on December 27, 2019, focusing on the research, production, and sales of lithium battery core materials and lithium iron phosphate energy storage batteries [1]. - The company plans to go public in Hong Kong on March 25, 2025, and has experienced rapid revenue growth, with projected revenue of 12.9 billion yuan in 2024 and a valuation of 25 billion yuan [1][7]. - Haicheng Energy's lithium-ion energy storage battery shipment volume is expected to rank third globally in 2024, with a market share of 11% [7]. Group 2: Legal Disputes - Since 2023, CATL has initiated multiple legal actions against Haicheng Energy, including a lawsuit for breach of non-compete agreements and claims of unfair competition, seeking 150 million yuan in damages [2][6]. - The latest legal action involves the arrest of Feng Dengke, a former executive at Haicheng Energy, accused of infringing trade secrets, marking CATL's fourth legal move against the company [1][2]. Group 3: Patent Competition - As of June 2025, CATL holds 49,347 patents, significantly outnumbering Haicheng Energy's 3,900 patents, highlighting a substantial gap in intellectual property [1][7]. - The patent dispute centers around a composite electrolyte patent, with claims that Haicheng Energy's technology closely resembles CATL's, differing only by 4.4% in energy density [2][5]. Group 4: Executive Background - Many key executives at Haicheng Energy, including its founder Wu Zuyu, have previous experience at CATL, contributing to the company's rapid rise in the energy storage sector [6][7]. - The company has seen a compound annual growth rate of 167% in lithium-ion energy storage battery shipments from 2022 to 2024 [7].

9月19日—20日，2025遂宁国际锂电产业大会召开。据报道，工信部将深化供给侧结构性改革，巩固产 业链优势。面向中长期新型电池产业发展趋势，研究编制《"十五五"新型电池产业发展规划》，加强产 业发展统筹规划和系统布局。积极探索区域协调发展模式，引导各地区因地制宜，差异化、特色化开展 锂电池产业规划布局。 业内表示，工信部此次表态不仅明确了国家层面对该产业的战略重视，更释放了防范低水平重复建设、 优化产业布局的清晰信号。 数据显示，2025-2030年全球锂电池需求复合增长率将维持在25%以上，市场规模有望突破1.5万亿元， 在政策与需求的双重驱动下，具备资源优势、技术壁垒和区域协同优势的企业将脱颖而出。 政策上，9月5日，工业和信息化部、国家市场监督管理总局联合印发《电子信息制造业2025—2026年稳 增长行动方案》，明确提出"2025年至2026年，规模以上计算机、通信和其他电子设备制造业增加值平 均增速在7%，加上锂电池、光伏及元器件制造等相关领域后电子信息制造业年均营收增速达到5%以 上"。这一政策为锂电池行业提供了明确的发展目标和政策支持，无疑增强了市场对行业长期发展的信 心。 日前，工信部等八部 ...

Industry Overview - The 2025 Suining International Lithium Battery Industry Conference highlighted the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's (MIIT) commitment to deepening supply-side structural reforms and consolidating the industry's advantages [1] - The global lithium battery demand is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 25% from 2025 to 2030, with the market size projected to exceed 1.5 trillion yuan [1] Policy Support - The MIIT and the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a plan for the electronic information manufacturing industry, targeting an average growth rate of 7% for major electronic device manufacturing from 2025 to 2026, which includes lithium batteries [2] - The automotive industry plan aims for approximately 32.3 million vehicle sales in 2025, with around 15.5 million being new energy vehicles, providing a significant market for lithium batteries [2] Market Demand - Current demand in the power battery, energy storage, and new energy vehicle markets is exceeding expectations, providing a solid foundation for the lithium battery industry [2] - The acceleration of solid-state battery industrialization is expected to create new growth points for the lithium battery sector [2] Technological Advancements - The solid-state battery industry is entering a "technology verification period," with several automakers planning to achieve mass production by around 2027 [3] - Solid-state batteries have a significantly higher lithium consumption per unit compared to traditional liquid batteries, which will drive structural growth in high-end lithium resource demand [3] Investment Insights - Investment suggestions highlight the ongoing demand for energy storage and commercial vehicles, with expectations for both volume and price increases in 2025-2026 [3] - Companies such as CATL, Yiwei Lithium Energy, and Xinwangda are recommended for their leadership in the battery sector, while materials companies like Tianqi Lithium and Puli Technology are also noted [3] Market Recovery - The lithium battery sector is experiencing a price bottoming and production expansion slowdown, leading to a gradual recovery in market sentiment [4] - The upcoming traditional peak season and cost-reduction measures are expected to stabilize industry profitability and provide upward elasticity [4] Company Developments - Tianqi Lithium has a production capacity of 600 tons of lithium metal and is building an additional 1,000 tons, positioning itself as the second-largest globally [6] - Ganfeng Lithium has achieved mass production of energy storage cells and is expanding its presence in the solid-state battery market [6] - Zhongchu Innovation is experiencing strong demand for its energy storage batteries, with significant improvements in cost-effectiveness and yield rates [7] - CATL is operating at full capacity for both electric vehicle and energy storage system production, with strong demand particularly in overseas markets [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese lithium battery industry is undergoing significant transformation, showing signs of recovery in revenue but still facing challenges in profitability due to intense market competition and debt accumulation [2][4]. Revenue and Growth - In the first half of 2025, over 100 listed Chinese lithium battery companies reported a combined "lithium battery business revenue" of approximately 537.995 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year growth of 14.95%, which is a 35.16 percentage point increase compared to the same period in 2024 [2]. - Despite the revenue growth, the overall gross profit margin for these companies was about 18.24%, a decrease of 1.22% year-on-year, indicating a decline in profitability across several sub-industries [2][3]. Market Competition and Industry Structure - The top 20 industry giants accounted for 68.29% of total revenue, 89.15% of net profit, and 89.22% of operating cash flow, highlighting a trend of resource and profit concentration among a few dominant players [3]. - The total liabilities of nearly 110 listed companies in the lithium battery industry reached 1.79 trillion yuan by mid-2025, an increase of 11.86% year-on-year, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 57.74% [3][4]. Financial Health and Risks - The net asset value of these companies was approximately 355.452 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year growth of 4.67%. However, excluding major players like CATL, the financial outlook for smaller companies appears bleak, with some reporting negative cash positions [4]. - By mid-2025, 15 companies in the energy storage sector had a debt-to-asset ratio exceeding 70% and negative net asset values, indicating significant financial stress [4]. Industry Outlook and Capacity Utilization - The global lithium-ion battery production capacity is projected to reach 4,315 GWh in 2024, with an expected shipment volume of 1,545 GWh, resulting in a capacity utilization rate of only 36% [5]. - By 2025, production capacity is anticipated to grow to 5,732 GWh, while shipment volumes are expected to reach 1,899.3 GWh, suggesting a severe overcapacity issue in the lithium battery industry [5]. Price Trends and Competitive Landscape - Following a decline in lithium carbonate prices, lithium battery prices have also decreased, with significant price drops observed in various battery types. As of July 25, 2025, the prices for different battery types were below their production costs, indicating a price war driven by excess capacity [6]. - The industry is expected to favor companies that demonstrate technological breakthroughs, sustainable innovation, and strong financial health to navigate through the current challenges [7]. Competitive Rankings - The "Top 50 Most Competitive Chinese Lithium Battery Companies" list highlights key players based on various metrics, including revenue growth, net profit, and innovation capabilities, with CATL leading the rankings [12][26].

Core Insights - The report highlights a positive outlook for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, driven by supportive policies and an improving supply-demand structure. In August, the production and sales of new energy vehicles reached 1.391 million and 1.395 million units, respectively, marking year-on-year growth of 27.4% and 26.8% [3][70] - For the first eight months of 2025, cumulative production and sales of new energy vehicles reached 9.625 million and 9.62 million units, with year-on-year growth of 37.3% and 36.7% [3][70] - The report emphasizes that the supply side is seeing new products from battery and main engine manufacturers, while demand feedback remains positive, supported by ongoing policy initiatives [3][70] Industry Ratings and Investment Strategy - The report maintains a "recommended" rating for the new energy vehicle industry, indicating a favorable investment environment. It suggests focusing on companies that are likely to deliver excess returns, particularly in areas such as solid-state batteries, battery materials, and liquid cooling technologies [4][71] - Key companies highlighted include CATL (宁德时代), Zhejiang Rongtai (浙江荣泰), and Shenzhen New Star (深圳新星), among others, which are expected to contribute to the industry's growth [4][71] Market Performance - The report provides a recap of market performance, noting that the new energy vehicle index, lithium battery index, and other related indices have shown varying performance, with the new energy vehicle index increasing by 41.74% year-to-date [22][5] - Specific companies such as Tianhong Lithium (天宏锂电) and Ganfeng Lithium (赣锋锂业) have shown significant weekly gains, reflecting strong market interest [5][26] Price Tracking in the Lithium Battery Supply Chain - The report tracks lithium battery supply chain prices, noting fluctuations in key materials. For instance, lithium carbonate prices increased by 1.6% to 73,600 yuan per ton, while lithium hydroxide prices decreased by 0.2% [32][31] - The report indicates that the overall price structure in the supply chain is at a low point, with expectations for price recovery as demand remains resilient [3][70] Production and Sales Data - The report details production and sales data for the new energy vehicle sector, indicating that in August, the production and sales of new energy vehicles accounted for 45.5% of total new car sales in China [45][46] - Cumulative data for the first eight months of 2025 shows that the new energy vehicle market continues to lead overall automotive sales growth [45][46] Key Company Announcements - The report includes significant announcements from key companies, such as plans for stock buybacks and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing production capabilities and market reach [67][68]

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided. 2. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The price of lithium carbonate futures contracts showed a strong - running trend this week. The price is expected to fluctuate strongly due to the strong demand in the domestic energy - storage market, although demand may slow down temporarily after the pre - National Day replenishment ends [1][3] - The price of the futures main contract is expected to operate in the range of 70,000 - 75,000 yuan/ton. It is not recommended to conduct arbitrage, and it is suggested to carry out selling hedging for inventory later [4][5] 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Price Trends - This week, the lithium carbonate futures contracts showed a strong - running trend. The 2511 contract closed at 73,960 yuan/ton, up 2,800 yuan/ton week - on - week; the 2601 contract closed at 74,040 yuan/ton, up 2,780 yuan/ton week - on - week; the spot price rose 1,050 yuan/ton to 73,500 yuan/ton [1] - The SMM spot - futures basis (2511 contract) fell 1,750 yuan/ton to - 460 yuan/ton, and the Fubao trader's premium/discount quote was - 255 yuan/ton, up 15 yuan/ton week - on - week. The 2511 - 2601 contract spread was - 80 yuan/ton, up 20 yuan/ton month - on - month [1] 3.2 Supply and Demand Fundamentals - **Raw Materials**: In September, the shipments of Australian mines and Chilean lithium salts increased. In the first three weeks of August and September, Australian mines shipped 213,000/238,000 tons, and Chilean lithium salts shipped 17,000/20,000 tons [2] - **Supply**: The weekly output continued to increase and reached a record high of 20,363 tons. The output before the shutdown of sub - standard plants was 19.98 million tons. The output of spodumene, salt lakes, and recycling effectively made up for the reduction in mica output [2] - **Demand**: Benefiting from the capacity - based electricity price compensation, the domestic energy - storage market exceeded expectations in terms of volume. In August, the energy - storage winning bids reached 25.8 GW, a year - on - year increase of 520%. In September, the lithium - battery output is expected to be 168.4 GWh, a month - on - month increase of 5%, including 130.1 GWh of LFP, a 6% month - on - month increase, and 32.8 GWh of ternary batteries, a 2% month - on - month increase. The 3C consumer end also exceeded expectations [2] - **Inventory**: The weekly lithium carbonate inventory decreased to 137,500 tons. The upstream inventory dropped to an absolute low, while the downstream inventory increased to an absolute high. The number of futures warehouse receipts increased to 39,484 tons [2] 3.3 Market Outlook - The demand in the domestic energy - storage market far exceeds market expectations. Although the lithium - salt output has exceeded the level before the shutdown of sub - standard plants, the social inventory continues to decline, and the price trend shows a strong - fluctuating pattern. After the pre - National Day replenishment ends and the rush - buying demand before September 30 due to the subsidies of the US "Big and Beautiful" Act comes to an end, the demand is expected to slow down temporarily but still remain strong [3] 3.4 Trading Strategies - **Unilateral Trading**: The price of the futures main contract is expected to operate in the range of 70,000 - 75,000 yuan/ton [4] - **Inter - period Trading**: The basis strengthens slightly, but the increase in warehouse receipts is obvious. Arbitrage is not recommended [4] - **Hedging**: As the basis is gradually repaired, it is recommended to conduct selling hedging for inventory later [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese lithium battery industry is experiencing a clear cyclical turning point after a prolonged downturn characterized by price wars and overcapacity, with strong evidence indicating a new capital expenditure cycle led by major enterprises based on genuine demand recovery [2][3]. Market Sentiment: From Divergent Trends to "Running Ahead" Expectations - The capital market signaled an industry reversal in Q2 2025, with core enterprises like CATL and Ganfeng Lithium seeing significant stock price recoveries, indicating a shift in investor focus towards companies with strong financial health and technological advantages [3][4]. - A notable event was CATL's potential production interruption due to a mining license expiration, which triggered a 10% surge in related lithium stocks, reflecting a fundamental shift in market expectations towards supply tightness [4]. Financial Data: The Logic of "Volume Over Price" Validated - In Q2 2025, the Chinese lithium battery industry achieved revenues of 267.86 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of over 11% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of over 13% [5]. - The net profit for the quarter reached 21.77 billion RMB, a year-on-year surge of 30.49% and an 18.68% increase from the previous quarter, indicating a robust recovery across the industry [6][7]. Operational Reality: Capacity Bottlenecks Triggering a New Investment Cycle - By Q2 2025, the capacity utilization rate of leading Chinese battery manufacturers exceeded 80% for the first time since 2022, indicating a significant operational recovery [10]. - CATL's capacity utilization reached 90%, close to its historical peak, necessitating new capacity investments to meet rising demand [11][12]. Capital Expenditure: A Clear Signal of New Cycle Initiation - Capital expenditures in the lithium battery industry turned positive in 2025, with a year-on-year increase of 31.72%, particularly in battery manufacturing, where growth rates were 23% and 40% in Q1 and Q2 respectively [14]. - CATL's capital expenditure reached 20.2 billion RMB, a 46% increase year-on-year, primarily for domestic expansion and global layout [14][15]. Demand Foundation: Structural Changes Driving Real Growth - The demand driving this recovery has undergone profound changes, with the energy storage market emerging as a core engine for lithium demand, accounting for 27% of global battery production by 2025 [17][19]. - The power battery sector is also experiencing a significant transformation, with pure electric vehicle sales rebounding strongly, leading to increased demand for batteries [20][21]. Conclusion - The new capital expenditure wave in the lithium battery industry is supported by the explosive growth in the energy storage market and the optimization of demand structure in power batteries, marking a definitive turning point for the industry [22][23].

从量产前景看，氧化物与聚合物因工艺成熟有望率先量产；硫化物虽具能量密度优势，但仍面临硫化氢 抑制、界面优化及高纯原料制备等技术瓶颈。这种差异化进展决定了固态电池产业将呈现"多元并行、 渐进落地"的发展格局，既保障短期商业化确定性，又为长期技术迭代留出空间。 在汤戈看来，技术与商业化的联动正重塑固态电池投资逻辑——从技术愿景转向量产与应用导向的务实 评估。半固态电池在主流车型的渗透，既传递了市场需求信号，又为全固态技术发展积累了工艺数据与 供应链经验。 证券时报记者 赵梦桥 近期，创业板行情由芯片半导体和锂电池两大主力"承包"，宁德时代更是股价创下近四年来新高，固态 电池频出的产业利好是促使锂电池板块"老树发新芽"的重要原因，Wind数据显示，固态电池指数8月以 来已经上涨23.31%，今年累计涨幅已超过50%。 经过多年探索，固态电池的发展路径与材料体系的脉络已经基本确定，作为过渡产品，当前准固态、半 固态的实际装车能力已得到产业认证，并为投资价值提供了现实支撑。"今年新能源行业整体见底回 升，锂电池行业中固态电池相当于第二增长曲线，从现在时点看具有持续性，也符合我们均值回归的投 资策略。"方正富邦基金基金经 ...

Core Viewpoint - Zhuhai Guanyu has acquired at least three Chinese patents from Panasonic, which may significantly impact the patent landscape in the lithium battery industry [2]. Group 1: Patent Acquisition - The three patents acquired by Zhuhai Guanyu include: "Secondary Battery" (Patent ZL201880018653.9), "Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery" (Patent ZL200880001215.8), and "Lithium Secondary Battery" (Patent ZL200710008331.X) [2]. - The transfer of these patents from Panasonic to Zhuhai Guanyu occurred between June and July of this year, but the corresponding U.S. patents have not yet been recorded as transferred [2]. Group 2: Panasonic's Patent Strategy - Panasonic has been actively monetizing its patents through various methods, including bilateral litigation and patent pools [2]. - Panasonic, along with LG, established the Tulip patent pool to promote licensing of lithium battery patents, aiming to collect licensing fees from Chinese battery manufacturers [2]. - Recently, two Chinese companies, Zhuhai Guanyu and BAK Battery, have joined the Tulip patent pool, indicating a strategic move in the industry [2].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of the 23rd China International Motorcycle Expo as a platform for showcasing advancements in electric mobility, particularly in the context of new national battery safety standards and the transition from traditional lead-acid batteries to lithium batteries as the core power source for electric two-wheelers [3][6]. Group 1: New National Standards and Battery Innovations - The new national standards are driving the lithium battery market, emphasizing safety, lightweight design, long cycle life, high energy density, and environmental friendliness, positioning lithium batteries to replace traditional lead-acid batteries in the electric two-wheeler market [6]. - The PRO-MAX 46137 battery, introduced by BAK Battery, features a weight energy density of 190Wh/kg and a volume energy density of 490Wh/L, providing a large capacity of 30Ah, which enhances the endurance of electric two-wheelers [6][8]. - The PRO-MAX battery is designed with a steel shell structure and directional pressure relief, ensuring safety through rigorous testing, thus setting a new safety standard in the industry [8]. Group 2: Economic and Environmental Benefits - The PRO-MAX 46137 battery offers a lifecycle cost of electricity that is 50% lower than that of lead-acid batteries while maintaining an initial installation cost comparable to lead-acid options [8]. - With a lifespan of 2000 cycles, the battery can last over five years, reducing the need for frequent replacements, and operates effectively in a wide temperature range of -35℃ to 65℃, maintaining over 90% energy retention in low temperatures [8]. - The battery's design allows for high material and space utilization, making it compatible with most modules, which could establish it as a new standard in the electric two-wheeler sector [8]. Group 3: Market Growth and Future Outlook - The electric two-wheeler market in China is projected to grow, with an expected shipment of 49.6 million units in 2024, potentially reaching 54 million units in 2025 and 58 million units in 2026, driven by the implementation of new national standards and replacement demand [13]. - The penetration rate of lithium battery-powered electric two-wheelers is anticipated to increase, with shipments expected to rise from 4.62 million units in 2024 to 6.7 million units in 2026 [13]. - BAK Battery aims to lead the industry by focusing on safety, economy, and performance in its product offerings, contributing to the advancement of green mobility [14].