[SMM Analysis] How to Use the New SMM Artificial Graphite Price Point?

SMM, February 10

Dear Users,

Greetings!

In response to recent concerns from anode manufacturers, battery cell producers, and end-users regarding changes in price points, we hereby provide the following explanation based on the suspension announcement released by SMM in August.

After market surveys and communication, SMM launched optimized artificial graphite price points on September 3, 2024, including low-end artificial graphite for NEV, mid-end artificial graphite for NEV, high-end artificial graphite for NEV, low-end artificial graphite for ESS, mid-end artificial graphite for ESS, high-end artificial graphite for ESS, low-end artificial graphite for consumer electronics, mid-end artificial graphite for consumer electronics, and high-end artificial graphite for consumer electronics. The original price points—low-end artificial graphite, mid-end artificial graphite, and high-end artificial graphite—were discontinued starting December 2024.

Key Questions Recently Addressed:

1. What Are the Differences Between the New and Old Price Points?

Introduction to the Old SMM Artificial Graphite Price Points:

Low-End Artificial Graphite: Capacity of 340-349mAh/g, initial Coulomb efficiency ≥90%, compaction density of 1.5-1.6g/m3, primarily applied in EV, digital, and ESS sectors.

Mid-End Artificial Graphite: Capacity of 350-355mAh/g, initial Coulomb efficiency ≥92%, compaction density of 1.6-1.65g/m3, primarily applied in EV, digital, and ESS sectors.

High-End Artificial Graphite: Capacity ≥355mAh/g, initial Coulomb efficiency ≥92%, compaction density ≥1.65g/m3, primarily applied in the digital sector.

Introduction to the New SMM Artificial Graphite Price Points:

SMM artificial graphite price points are categorized into three types: artificial graphite for NEV, artificial graphite for ESS, and artificial graphite for consumer electronics. SMM has comprehensively considered the characteristics of end-use applications in different scenarios, such as cycle life, capacity, driving range, and charging time. Based on the selection criteria of anode materials by battery manufacturers, SMM has defined the specifications for capacity, cycle life, and charge rate for each price point. The specific specifications are as follows:

Artificial Graphite for NEV:

Low-End Artificial Graphite for NEV: Specific capacity of 340-349mAh/g, charge rate of 0-1.5C. Application areas include but are not limited to low-end car models, such as sedans priced below 150,000.

Mid-End Artificial Graphite for NEV: Specific capacity of 349-355mAh/g, charge rate of 1.5-2.5C. Application areas include but are not limited to mid-end car models, such as sedans priced between 150,000-300,000.

High-End Artificial Graphite for NEV: Specific capacity ≥355mAh/g, charge rate ≥2.5C. Application areas include but are not limited to high-end car models, such as sedans priced above 300,000.

Artificial Graphite for ESS:

Low-End Artificial Graphite for ESS: Specific capacity of 340-345mAh/g, cycle life ≥2,000 times. Application areas include but are not limited to cylindrical batteries and portable power banks.

Mid-End Artificial Graphite for ESS: Specific capacity ≥345mAh/g, cycle life ≥4,000 times. Application areas include but are not limited to standard 280 battery cells, such as commercial and industrial energy storage systems and renewable energy grid connection storage.

High-End Artificial Graphite for ESS: Specific capacity ≥350mAh/g, cycle life ≥8,000 times. Application areas include but are not limited to long-cycle and long-life energy storage scenarios, such as large-scale commercial and industrial energy storage systems, large-scale renewable energy storage, and energy storage for marine and offshore engineering.

Artificial Graphite for Consumer Electronics:

Low-End Artificial Graphite for Consumer Electronics: Specific capacity ≥340mAh/g, charge rate of 0-1.5C. Application areas include but are not limited to low-end mobile phones and smartwatches.

Mid-End Artificial Graphite for Consumer Electronics: Specific capacity ≥345mAh/g, charge rate ≥1.5C. Application areas include but are not limited to mid-end mobile phones and portable computer batteries.

High-End Artificial Graphite for Consumer Electronics: Capacity ≥350mAh/g, charge rate ≥3C. Application areas include but are not limited to high-end mobile phones, drones, and high-rate power tools.

2. Why Were the Old Price Points Split Into New Price Points?

With the rapid development of the lithium battery anode industry, enterprises have increasingly focused on the prices of anodes used in specific sectors such as NEV, ESS, and consumer electronics. To meet market demand, provide more comprehensive and diverse spot price information, and offer enterprises more settlement reference standards, the price points were split.

3. Why Is There a Price Spread After the Split?

The old price points for low-end, mid-end, and high-end artificial graphite included products for NEV, ESS, and consumer electronics, resulting in a wide range of prices due to different application scenarios. By refining the old price points, the new price points are now more precise and targeted, categorized by specifications and end-use applications.

4. How to Use the New SMM Lithium Battery Anode Material Price Index?

The SMM Lithium Battery Anode Material Price Index serves as a barometer of the spot market for lithium battery anode materials, better reflecting transaction conditions and the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers. It represents the most representative prices of lithium battery anode materials on the day. Enterprises can match their product specifications and end-use applications to the price points on the SMM website and use the SMM Anode Material Price Index as a reference for order signing and settlement, reducing transaction costs.

5. When Is the SMM Lithium Battery Anode Material Price Published? Every trading day from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Cong Wang 021-51666838

Xiaodan Yu 021-20707870

Rui Ma 021-51595780

Disheng Feng 021-51666714

Yujun Liu 021-20707895

Yanlin Lü 021-20707875

Zhicheng Zhou 021-51666711

Haohan Zhang 021-51666752

Zihan Wang 021-51666914

Xiaoxuan Ren 021-20707866

Jie Wang 021-51595902

Yang Xu 021-51666760

Mengqi Xu 021-20707868