Core Viewpoint - The lithium battery industry is experiencing rapid growth, but traditional drying technologies face significant challenges that hinder cost reduction and efficiency improvements [6]. Group 1: Industry Trends - The global lithium battery production capacity is continuously expanding, yet the drying technology bottleneck is becoming increasingly prominent [6]. - The traditional hot air drying process has three main pain points: low efficiency requiring nearly 100 meters of drying ovens, high energy consumption of one million kcal of fossil energy per hour, and high costs where drying energy consumption accounts for 15% of total battery production energy [6]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - Leisuo New Materials has developed a flat infrared system that overcomes industry bottlenecks by using infrared radiation for direct heating of electrode sheets, revolutionizing traditional heating methods [6]. - Xingheng Power has made breakthroughs in manganese-based materials, achieving a high energy recovery rate of 98.18% for lithium manganese oxide and reducing production costs for lithium iron phosphate [12]. - Kaluowide's pressure melting welding technology combines pressure and melting to achieve over 99.9% welding yield for ear and pole connections, significantly enhancing energy efficiency and addressing welding challenges [15]. - Times High-Tech's innovative solution for drying solid-state batteries involves using diode lasers for surface heating and multi-point temperature measurement, providing a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative [16]. Group 3: Market Applications - The adoption of large-capacity models is accelerating the electrification process, with battery swapping models being preferred for long-distance logistics due to their efficiency in energy replenishment [10]. - The integration of CTB batteries by Qiyuan Chip Power enables a shared energy ecosystem, allowing for rapid energy replenishment in heavy-duty vehicles [7].

Core Viewpoint - The lithium battery industry is at a historical intersection of explosive demand across various scenarios and technological iterations, presenting new challenges for lithium battery technology [2][3]. Group 1: Industry Trends and Challenges - The penetration rate of electric heavy trucks is projected to exceed 20% by 2025, with battery swapping models capturing 35% of the market share in trunk logistics [3]. - Traditional manufacturing processes are facing efficiency bottlenecks, with energy-intensive drying processes consuming significant resources and contributing to high production costs [3][8]. - The demand for diverse technological routes is increasing due to scenario differentiation, with specific needs in logistics and small power applications driving innovation [3][12]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - Innovations such as flat infrared drying technology have reduced drying times by 40% and oven lengths by 30%, while achieving over 50% energy savings [9]. - The development of manganese-based materials has led to significant improvements in performance, with a cycle energy recovery rate exceeding 96% [17]. - The introduction of pressure welding technology has streamlined the ear welding process, achieving a welding time of just 1 second with a yield rate exceeding 99.9% [20]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Future Directions - The electric heavy truck penetration rate is rapidly increasing, with a monthly average reaching 21.44% by 2025, despite a slight decline in the proportion of battery-swapped vehicles [12]. - The combination of charging and battery swapping is recommended for different operational scales, optimizing efficiency in logistics [13]. - The industry is moving towards high-capacity production lines, with demands for single-line capacities approaching 200ppm, necessitating advancements in equipment structure and drying processes [22].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the advancements in lithium battery manufacturing, particularly focusing on the transition to more efficient and environmentally friendly drying technologies, such as the new planar infrared drying system introduced by Leisuo New Materials, which aims to address energy consumption and space utilization issues in the production process [1][2][10]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Over the past five years, Chinese battery manufacturers have led the global market with a focus on speed and scale, significantly advancing the entire supply chain [1]. - As of 2024, the manufacturing landscape is shifting, with cell prices dropping to 0.3 yuan/Wh, and leading companies are accelerating their international expansion [1]. - The industry consensus emphasizes the need to overcome bottlenecks in the early stages of production, particularly in the processes of pulping, coating, and drying, under the dual constraints of energy conservation and rapid delivery [1]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - Leisuo New Materials is set to unveil its new high-efficiency coating drying technology, the planar infrared system, at the 18th High-Tech Lithium Battery Industry Summit [2]. - The new infrared drying technology is positioned as a primary process rather than a supplementary heat source, marking a significant advancement in lithium battery manufacturing [3]. - The core of this system is a graphene-coated infrared module that achieves over 80% infrared conversion efficiency at temperatures between 200°C and 300°C, allowing for more effective heating of coating materials [4]. Group 3: System Benefits - The planar infrared system offers a 30% reduction in drying oven volume, freeing up factory space and saving on construction investments [7]. - It can achieve over 50% energy savings by completely replacing traditional hot air systems, eliminating the need for thermal oil boilers and hot air ducts [14]. - The system also enhances production speed by over 40%, significantly increasing the capacity of production lines [14]. Group 4: Market Adaptation - The planar infrared system addresses challenges associated with overseas expansion, such as the need for large boiler systems and high carbon emissions from traditional hot air drying methods [10][11]. - The all-electric solution of the new system allows for flexible factory designs and aligns with global clean manufacturing trends by enabling the use of green electricity [12]. - The modular design of the system supports quick retrofitting of existing hot air ovens, facilitating a rapid transition to electric heating [12]. Group 5: Broader Implications - The integration of ultrasonic technology in the development of the infrared drying system enhances the overall efficiency and sustainability of lithium battery manufacturing [15][17]. - The current phase of transformation in lithium battery manufacturing emphasizes the importance of equipment efficiency and energy conservation as critical factors for competitiveness in the global market [18].