[Electrolyte Weekly Report] In the First 11 Months, China's Demand for Electrolyte for LFP Batteries Reached 928,000 mt!

【Highlights】First Export! Tinci Liyang Electrolyte Project Achieves New Breakthrough

According to "China Liyang" news, recently, a batch of 42 mt of lithium-ion battery electrolyte passed inspection by Changzhou Customs Liyang Office and was transported to Qinzhou Port in Guangxi, starting its overseas journey to Vietnam. This marks the first export since Jiangsu Tinci Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., located in Nandu Town, began operations. It is also the first export of such products from Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, and even Changzhou City.

The Jiangsu Tinci project is invested by Tinci Materials (002709), a company specializing in the R&D, production, and sales of key lithium battery materials—electrolytes. Established in Liyang in April 2018, it has an annual production capacity of 200,000 mt of lithium battery electrolyte. In 2022, Jiangsu Tinci invested an additional 1.2 billion yuan to construct an expansion project for lithium battery electrolyte, successfully positioning the Liyang project as Tinci's "East China Base" and a "High-Efficiency Premium Benchmark." (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Technology】Enhancing Battery Safety and Performance! China's Progress in Polymer Solid Electrolytes

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Metal Research, solid-state batteries, with their potential for high energy density and safety, have become a key development direction for next-generation batteries. Among them, polymer solid electrolytes, due to their lightweight, low cost, flexibility, and ease of processing, are expected to improve battery energy density and facilitate large-scale production.

Recently, researchers from the Advanced Carbon Materials Research Department of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Metal Research made new progress in the field of polymer solid electrolytes. They discovered an adaptive ion diffusion phenomenon in highly crystalline PEO bulk and proposed a solid-state electrolyte group (SSE-Group) strategy using highly crystalline PEO bulk as an intermediate layer. This effectively suppressed soft short circuits in solid-state batteries caused by lithium dendrite growth, enhancing battery performance. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Data】China's Electrolyte Production Reached Approximately 1 Million mt in the First 10 Months, Up Over 21% YoY

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) Electronics Information Department released the operational data of China's lithium-ion battery industry from January to October 2024. During this period, China's lithium-ion battery (hereinafter referred to as "lithium battery") industry maintained a growth trend. Based on data from enterprises listed in the lithium battery industry standardization announcement and industry association estimates, the total lithium battery production nationwide reached 890 GWh, up 16% YoY. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the profit of China's lithium battery manufacturing industry increased by 39.4% YoY from January to October.

Among these, China's electrolyte production reached approximately 1 million mt, up over 21% YoY. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Data】China's Demand for Electrolyte in Ternary Batteries Reached 202,000 mt and 928,000 mt for LFP Batteries in the First 11 Months

Recently, the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance released the November monthly data on power batteries. In November, China's power battery installations reached 67.2 GWh, up 13.5% MoM and 49.7% YoY. Among them, ternary battery installations were 13.6 GWh, accounting for 20.2% of the total, up 11.6% MoM but down 13.5% YoY; LFP battery installations were 53.6 GWh, accounting for 79.7% of the total, up 14.0% MoM and 84.0% YoY.

From January to November, China's cumulative power battery installations reached 473.0 GWh, up 39.2% YoY. Among these, cumulative ternary battery installations were 124.7 GWh, accounting for 26.4% of the total, up 13.7% YoY; cumulative LFP battery installations were 348.0 GWh, accounting for 73.6% of the total, up 51.5% YoY.

In terms of battery materials, in November, China's demand for electrolyte in ternary batteries was 20,000 mt, while demand for electrolyte in LFP batteries was 121,000 mt. From January to November, demand for electrolyte in ternary batteries reached 202,000 mt, and demand for electrolyte in LFP batteries reached 928,000 mt. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Technology】CATL Obtains Utility Model Patent for Electrolyte Injection Device and Battery Production System

Recently, CATL (300750) obtained a utility model patent authorization for a patent titled "Electrolyte Injection Device and Battery Production System," with application number CN202422206308.3 and authorization date of December 6, 2024.

Patent abstract: This application provides an electrolyte injection device and battery production system. The electrolyte injection device includes a fixed frame and an injection module. The injection module comprises an injection needle, a liquid storage unit, a metering pump, and a mounting base. The injection needle is detachably connected to the fixed frame and is used to inject electrolyte into the target object. The liquid storage unit stores the electrolyte and is connected to the injection needle. The metering pump is connected between the liquid storage unit and the injection needle, extracting electrolyte from the liquid storage unit and supplying it to the injection needle. Both the metering pump and the liquid storage unit are integrated into the mounting base, which is separable from the fixed frame. This application improves the reliability of the injection process. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Technology】Hunan Dajing Applies for Patent on High-Efficiency Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Preparation Method Based on New-Type Polymer

On December 19, information from the National Intellectual Property Administration showed that Hunan Dajing New Materials Co., Ltd. applied for a patent titled "High-Efficiency Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Preparation Method Based on New-Type Polymer," with publication number CN 119133615 A and application date of November 2024.

The patent abstract reveals that this invention discloses a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery electrolyte preparation method based on a new-type polymer, involving the field of battery electrolyte technology. The polymer electrolyte in this application achieves high ionic conductivity through rational molecular design and polymerization reactions, ensuring rapid lithium-ion transport within the battery and reducing migration resistance during transmission. This effectively enhances the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, ensuring that lithium ions can still migrate smoothly between the electrodes in low-temperature environments, thereby avoiding discharge capacity decay caused by reduced conductivity. The battery maintains high efficiency even under extreme cold conditions. Additionally, by adding various functional additives, the invention reduces the diffusion resistance of lithium ions in the electrolyte and minimizes non-selective reactions on the electrode surface, thereby improving the battery's cycle efficiency and overall performance. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Technology】Xianghe Kunlun New Energy Applies for Patent on Non-Aqueous Battery Electrolyte and Battery

On December 19, information from the National Intellectual Property Administration showed that Xianghe Kunlun New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. applied for a patent titled "Non-Aqueous Battery Electrolyte and Battery," with publication number CN 119133605 A and application date of September 2024.

The patent abstract reveals that this invention provides a non-aqueous battery electrolyte and battery, belonging to the field of secondary battery technology. The electrolyte includes electrolyte salt, organic solvent, a first additive, and a second additive. The first additive comprises fluoroethylene carbonate, 1,3-propane sultone, and vinyl sulphate. The second additive includes one or more of Compound A, Compound B, or Compound C. In this invention, the second additive contains a B-O structure and carbon-carbon triple bonds, which synergize with the first additive to form a composite SEI film of organic polymer and inorganic material on the battery's anode surface. The SEI film is uniform, dense, highly chemically stable, and has certain hardness and elasticity, enhancing the battery's long-cycle performance. Additionally, a dense CEI film is formed on the cathode surface, preventing electrolyte penetration, reducing interfacial side reactions, mitigating irreversible phase transitions, and improving the battery's high-temperature storage performance. (Source: Battery 100 Forum - Battery Network)

【Think Tank Insights】Electrolyte Prices May Fluctuate Rangebound Due to Cost Side Factors

According to SMM Lithium Battery Analysis, recent electrolyte prices have remained stable. On the supply side, due to rising LiPF6 prices, electrolyte producers mainly purchase LiPF6 as needed. On the demand side, battery cell manufacturers' demand for electrolyte has increased. On the cost side, LiPF6 prices have risen, while solvent and additive prices remain stable. Currently, electrolyte prices are primarily influenced by LiPF6 prices. However, as battery cell manufacturers exert downward pressure on electrolyte prices, the overall prices remain stable. In the short term, electrolyte prices are expected to fluctuate rangebound due to cost side factors.