Core Insights - The article discusses the advancements and innovations in the new energy materials industry, particularly focusing on lithium battery technologies and their applications in electric vehicles and other sectors [5][8][12]. Group 1: Industry Trends - The global demand for lithium resources is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, while mineral deposits are primarily found in Australia, South America, and Africa [7]. - China leads the export market for new energy vehicles, with significant advancements in recycling capacity, particularly in the production of black powder through hydrometallurgical processes [7]. - The industry is witnessing a dual-track strategy of "cascading utilization + resource regeneration" to enhance global operations, with domestic hubs in China and international pre-treatment facilities in Germany, the US, and Japan [7]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - New silicon-carbon materials have achieved high reversible capacity (up to 2212 mAh/g) and long cycle life (over 1400 cycles) while maintaining low expansion rates [8]. - Breakthroughs in solid-state electrolytes have been made, with multiple generations of products developed to enhance performance in lithium-ion batteries [8]. - Companies are focusing on optimizing silicon-based anodes to address challenges related to volume expansion and initial efficiency, leading to improved cycle stability [11]. Group 3: Equipment and Manufacturing Advances - Advanced manufacturing equipment is being developed to increase production capacity and reduce operational costs, such as a six-column three-layer atmosphere roller furnace that boosts capacity by 50% [12]. - Innovations in temperature control and atmosphere management are ensuring high product consistency and energy savings of up to 20% [12]. - Companies are implementing automated systems to enhance efficiency in material handling and processing, significantly reducing labor costs and improving operational efficiency [15].

Core Viewpoint - From 2025, leading power lithium battery companies will start large-scale verification of new silicon-carbon materials, indicating a significant shift in the lithium battery industry towards advanced materials [2][5]. Group 1: Market Overview - In 2024, the shipment volume of silicon-based composite materials for lithium batteries in China is projected to be 21,000 tons, representing an 11% year-on-year growth. However, this growth is below expectations due to intense price competition in the lithium battery industry, leading companies to reduce the production ratio of high-capacity battery products [3][4]. - Despite the overall underperformance of the silicon-based materials market, the new silicon-carbon (porous silicon-carbon) market is thriving and has become a trend in the technological iteration of anode materials [5]. Group 2: Development Characteristics - The new silicon-carbon materials market is characterized by accelerated application scenarios, with leading power lithium battery companies starting large-scale verification from 2025, and consumer electronics companies rapidly implementing new silicon-carbon applications, achieving a monthly shipment volume exceeding 10 tons in early 2025 [6]. - Core technologies are continuously iterating, with the preparation route of porous carbon shifting from biomass-based to resin-based, significantly improving raw material consistency and product performance. The mass production process has seen the composite ratio of small cylindrical batteries exceed 20%, pushing the specific capacity of silicon-based composite materials to surpass 600 mAh/g [8]. - Raw material costs are rapidly declining, with the price of silane gas dropping from over 300,000 yuan/ton in early 2024 to below 100,000 yuan/ton in early 2025, and biomass porous carbon prices generally below 150,000 yuan/ton. The cost reduction for new silicon-carbon raw materials exceeds 130,000 yuan/ton, with a reduction ratio of over 40% [8]. - However, mass production bottlenecks remain, as the stability of equipment and maturity of processes are still challenges, despite the acceleration of technology layout by silicon-based anode companies and equipment suppliers from 2022 to 2024 [8]. Group 3: Impact on Lithium Battery Industry - The rise of new silicon-carbon materials is expected to enhance battery energy density significantly. With low expansion characteristics, the composite ratio of mass-produced products is anticipated to exceed 30%, and the specific capacity of silicon-based composite materials is expected to surpass 750 mAh/g. Innovations in lithium batteries, such as thick coating technology and high solid content processes, may enable the energy density of liquid lithium batteries to exceed 400 Wh/kg [9]. - The collaboration of catalytic carbon nanotubes and new silicon-carbon technology is expected to significantly improve the rate performance of new silicon-carbon anodes, with leading lithium battery companies accelerating the technological layout of single-walled carbon nanotubes combined with new silicon-carbon composite materials [10].