Separator production increased by 9% MoM in April. Dry-process enterprises voluntarily implemented production restrictions.

SMM, May 8:

In April, the production of lithium battery separators increased by 9% MoM and 38% YoY. By process, the production of wet-process separators increased by 12% MoM and 45% YoY, while the production of dry-process separators decreased by 4% MoM but increased by 115% YoY.

On the demand side, in April, the increase in end-use demand drove battery cell manufacturers to increase their purchase orders for separators, maintaining steady growth in separator demand. On the supply side, due to intensified competition in the separator market in the early stage, the profit margins of separator enterprises were severely squeezed, especially for dry-process separators. Prices once fell below the cost line, posing severe operational risks for related enterprises. Against this backdrop, dry-process separator enterprises voluntarily implemented production restrictions to reduce market supply, aiming to bring prices back to a reasonable range.

In May, the demand from downstream battery cell manufacturers is expected to slow down, leading to a tightening in the purchase of main material separators. It is anticipated that the production schedule of lithium battery separator enterprises will rise slightly, with a potential 2% MoM increase.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Wang Cong 021-51666838
Ma Rui 021-51595780
Feng Disheng 021-51666714
Lv Yanlin 021-20707875
Zhou Zhicheng 021-51666711
Zhang Haohan 021-51666752
Wang Zihan 021-51666914
Wang Jie 021-51595902
Xu Yang 021-51666760

Wang Zhaoyu 021-51666827