Demand for high-Ni batteries produced by CATL to reach 33 GWh in 2021

SHANGHAI, Oct 21 (SMM)—CATL is likely to see 33 GWh of high-Ni ternary battery demand in 2021, translating into approximately 58,000 mt of high-Ni ternary material orders, a sharp increase from 2020.

High-Ni low-Co batteries will remain the development trend in view of plans by domestic and overseas leading battery producers like CATL, LG Chem, SKI and Samsung SDI.

CATL is increasing high-Ni battery output and has put emphasis on ternary 811 and high-voltage 523+CTP batteries in 2020. The current energy density of nickel 55 ternary single crystal high-voltage material battery produced by CATL can reach 230 wg/kg (that of nickel 83 ternary battery stands at 240 wh/kg), and the battery cost is 15% lower than NCM 811. CATL is expected to improve CTP (battery life of 700 km) in 2021, and is expected to launch CTC (cell to chassis, battery life of 800-1,000 km in 2027, this program has been developed in parthership with car companies).

CATL will focus on cobalt-free batteries in 2023, leaving out cobalt and using manganese. The maximum gram volume will be raised to 300mah/g with a voltage of 4.7 V, which greatly increases energy density and reduces costs.

High-Ni ternary batteries represented by NCM 811 remain as the development trend for motive batteries. Medium and high-end electric vehicles including Weilai ES6, BMW ix3, Xiaopeng P7 and JAC iEV7S are using NCM 811 batteries.

Weaker domestic demand for high-Ni ternary batteries between April and June combined with significant stock accumulation in Q1 led to a decline in NCM 811 ternary material orders from CATL. Ternary material demand from CATL in August returned to Q1 levels and is expected to continue rising between September and December driven by significant increase in overseas demand for high-Ni ternary batteries. 

CATL said that it will develop Ni-Co-Mn-free lithium battery, which is internally named as "metal-free battery".

SK Innovation is currently working with EcoPro BM, a South Korean cathode material manufacturer, to develop new NCM batteries by the end of this year. Nickel content of the new battery is 88%, which is 8% higher than the existing NCM 811 battery, which can increase the driving range of electric vehicles to 500-600km; the cobalt content is 6%, which is 4% lower than the existing NCM 811 battery, lowering battery manufacturing cost.

LG Chem has supplied NCM811 batteries to Tesla in bulk. In 2021, LG Chem will supply NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) batteries containing 90% nickel to GM. Currently, South Korean cathode material supplier L&F has begun mass production of NCMA cathode materials and has begun to supply cargoes to LG Chem in June. The company is planning to expand its production capacity.

Samsung SDI announced that it will expand its factory in Hungary and begin to produce square NCA-"Gen5" batteries with a nickel content of more than 80% in 2021, using stacking technology.