China LiCoNi Summit 2021: Global lithium industry pattern and development in 2021-2023

[Southwest China’s First Direct All-Cargo Flight Route to Africa Launched] On 28 August, the first scheduled all-cargo flight route from Southwest China directly to Africa – the Chengdu Tianfu to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia – was officially launched. It is understood that the service operates twice weekly (on Mondays and Fridays), with each flight having a maximum cargo capacity of 100 tonnes. Inbound shipments primarily consist of African specialities such as coffee, fresh flowers, and fruit and vegetables; outbound shipments mainly comprise high-value-added products such as new energy vehicles, photovoltaic equipment and lithium-ion batteries. Addis Ababa is one of Africa’s key aviation hubs. Leveraging the local route network, goods departing from Chengdu can be transhipped to several major African cities upon arrival in Addis Ababa; conversely, goods from Africa can enter the western Chinese market via Chengdu and be distributed to other regions through transport networks including air, road and rail. The launch of this new route also adds a new air freight corridor for economic and trade exchanges between western China and Africa.

[Huawei Enters the Battery-Swapping Market; Yijing’s Second Model to Feature a Battery-Swapping Version] Yijing, the new energy brand jointly developed by Dongfeng and Huawei, is considering a battery-swapping version for its second model; the project is currently in the preliminary research phase. On the eve of the 2026 Chengdu Motor Show, the Yijing X9 officially launched nationwide pre-sales, offering three range-extended variants with pre-sale prices ranging from 299,800 to 379,800 yuan – 180,000 yuan cheaper than the starting price of the 2026 Aito M9.

[SMM Analysis: Structural Tightness in Electrolyte Raw Materials in August; Finished Product Price Transmission Lags] In August, the lithium battery industry chain entered a pre-stocking cycle ahead of the "September-October peak season." Demand from both the power battery and energy storage sectors continued to be released, driving a steady rise in electrolyte industry operating rates and production. The industry as a whole continued to show a structural pattern of ample nominal capacity for finished electrolyte but tight supply of core raw materials such as LiPF6 and VC. Rising prices of upstream lithium chemicals and additives pushed up finished electrolyte prices, but these increases had not yet been fully transmitted to downstream clients. Future price trends still need to be continuously monitored along with raw material price changes and the extent of transmission.