There are only ten rechargeable lithium battery cell manufacturers all over the world. A large proportion of Japanese manufacturers are engaged in the production of laptop battery cells, while South Korean and Chinese manufacturers mainly focus on producing battery cells for cell phone and other portable electronic appliances, the unit prices of which are far lower than laptop battery cell’s. Therefore, Japanese manufacturers have smaller rechargeable lithium battery cell shipment but higher unit prices, as compared with South Korean and Chinese manufacturers.
BYD is the only manufacturer witnessing drop in both shipment and income for three consecutive years, and it has attached more importance to automotive than to rechargeable lithium battery. In the meantime, South Korean manufacturers have made rapid progress. Samsung SDI is projected to top the world by shipment and rank the fourth place by income in 2010. LG Chemical is likely to be in the second place.
Motive rechargeable lithium batteries have aroused wide attention due to the popularity of low-carbon economy concept. However, the shipment of motive rechargeable lithium battery is still low, and manufacturers are suffering serious loss. For example, A123 Systems and ENER1 have suffered deep loss, and the gross margin has dropped for five consecutive years. Thus, investing in these companies is highly risky, like gambling. The performance of downstream enterprises is not good, and the investment mainly concentrates on the upstream of the rechargeable lithium battery industry. In China, any stock with a few relations with the rechargeable lithium battery upstream will gain dramatically.
The rechargeable lithium battery industry chain is long and extensive. The four major raw materials for rechargeable lithium battery by cost attribution are anode material, separator, electrolyte and cathode material.
At present, anode material is the hottest topic. Non-power rechargeable lithium battery batteries usually adopt LiCo2O4 as anode material. However, the anode material of motive lithium battery is categorized into LiMn2O4 and LiFePO4. Japanese manufacturers mainly specialize in LiMn2O4, and have successively issued several electric cars with LiMn2O4 battery. Nevertheless, the United States and China’s manufacturers focus on LiFePO4, and A123 is a LiFePO4 leader. LiFePO4 is excellent in performance and safety, but it is inferior to LiMn2O4 in terms of industrialized maturity, cost and consistency. The rechargeable lithium battery of an electric vehicle is connected by tens even hundreds of cells, and hence has high consistency requirement which is rather difficult for LiFePO4 to achieve. Thus, nearly all large auto manufacturers select LiMn2O4 due to its higher maturity. Even A123, the leader in LiFePO4 battery field, also failed to win the Chevrolet tender. However, LG Chemical, a big LiMn2O4 battery manufacturer, had won the bid. Now, the frequent auto recalls make auto manufacturers behave extremely cautious that they won’t have a test for LiFePO4 battery manufacturers. Furthermore, the maturity of LiMn2O4 is no more than five years, let alone LiFePO4.
At present, the major anode material manufacturers are from Japan and Europe. Umicore is a large Belgium’s corporation with annual income of USD10 billion, and has main production bases in South Korea. In 2010, thanks to the sharp demand from South Korea’s LG Chemical and Samsung SDI, Umicore surpassed Japan's Nichia to become the world’s largest rechargeable lithium battery anode material company, with over 30% market shares. However, the rechargeable lithium battery anode material only accounted for less than 10% of Umicore’s income. Nichia, the world’s biggest LED manufacturer, also the world’s largest rechargeable lithium battery anode manufacturer by 2010, holds more than 20% market shares. Rechargeable lithium battery anode material has various categories, so there are many manufacturers involved in the field, especially Japan’s manufacturers such as Toda Kogyo, AGC SEIMI, SEIDO, Tanaka-Chem, JFE Mining, Mitsubishi Chemical, Nitto Denko, Mitsubishi Mining, Sumitomo Osaka Cement and Nippon Chemical Industrial, all of which have held around 50% shares. China’s major manufacturers include Beijing Easpring Co., Ltd., Shanshan Holding Company, Hunan Reshine New Material Co., Ltd., Ningbo Jinhe New materials Co., Ltd, CITIC GUOAN Mengguli and Tianjin B&M Science and Technology Joint-Stock Ltd., with total market share of 11%. BYD, a large electric vehicle manufacturer of China, purchases LiFePO4 batteries from Tianjin STL Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Now, only Japan’s rechargeable lithium battery manufacturers are capable of producing anode materials by themselves.
The separator market is dominated by three magnates, i.e. Asahi Kasei Corporation, Tonen Chemical and Celgard, with the total market shares exceeding 75%. As a big chemical plant in Japan, Asahi Kasei Corporation possesses annual revenue surpassing US$16 billion, but the separator business contributes less than 5% to its total revenue. Tonen Chemical, the big oil refinery in Japan, is subordinated to the global largest oil refinery-Exxon Mobil, and the revenue from separator accounts for less than 1% of the company’s total revenue. Celgard belongs to America’s Polypore International Inc.
As for the cathode materials field, Hitachi Chemical holds the world’s No.1 market share of 35%. Hitachi Chemical is a member of Hitachi Ltd. and its annual revenue is very close to US$5 billion, while the contribution of cathode business to the company’s total revenue is lower than 3%. Nippon Carbon ranks the second with the market share of nearly 20%. However, the market of cathode materials is very mature, and hence hasn’t gotten much attention.
In regard to the electrolyte field, the top three manufacturers enjoy a total market share of approximate 70%. Subordinated to Samsung Group, Chiel Industries is the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable lithium battery electrolyte as well as the largest clothing enterprise in South Korea. Benefiting from the substantially increased demand of LG Chem and Samsung SDI, Chiel Industries surpassed Japan’s Ube in 2010 and became the global No.1 with the market share of 33%. Ube, whose annual revenue is more than US$6 billion, has a wide product scope, ranging from aluminum wheel hub to pharmaceuticals and from coal washer to electrolyte. Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical and Tomiyama Pure Chemical take the third and fourth positions respectively. Lithium hexafluorophosphate, the vital raw material of electrolyte, is almost monopolized by Japanese manufacturers such as Stella Chemical, Kanto Denka and SUTERAKEMIFA.
Compared with the rechargeable lithium battery upstream manufacturers in China, almost all of the overseas manufacturers are super-big plants with the annual revenue usually surpassing US$1 billion. On the contrary, Chinese manufacturers are generally new entrants relying on bank loans and most of them have the annual revenue less than US$100 million. Rechargeable lithium battery hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles are slowly promoted, while the upstream rechargeable lithium battery industry in China has been confronted with overcapacity.
Energy Technology Industry in Asia
1. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry Overview
1.1 Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Market Scale
1.2 Geographical Distribution of Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry
1.3 Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry Ranking
1.4 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry Chain
1.4.1 Cost Structure of Rechargeable Lithium Battery
1.4.2 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry Chain
1.4.3 Lithium Carbonate
2. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Market
2.1 Mobile Phone Market
2.1.1 Mobile Phone Battery Market
2.2 Laptop Market
2.3 Automotive Market
2.4 Consumer Electronics Market
3. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode
3.1 Introduction
3.2 LiFePO4 Industry
3.2.1 LiFePO4 is not Necessarily the Future Mainstream
3.3 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode Market Trends
3.4 Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode Industry Pattern
3.5 China Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode Industry Pattern
3.6 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode Enterprises
3.6.1 Umicore
3.6.2 Shanshan
3.6.3 Easpring
3.6.4 Hunan Reshine New Material
3.6.5 Ningbo Jinhe
3.6.6 CITIC GUOAN MGL
3.6.7 Tianjin B&M Science and Technology
3.6.8 Pulead
3.6.9 Tianjiao Technology
3.6.10 Nichia
3.6.11 L&F
3.6.12 TODA KOGYO
3.6.12 Tanaka Chemical
3.6.13 Tianjin STL
3.6.14 Yunnan Huilong
3.6.15 Phostech Lithium
4. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode Industry Pattern
4.3 China Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode Industry Pattern
4.4 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode Enterprises
4.4.1 Shenzhen BTR
4.4.2 Changsha Hairong
4.4.3 Hitachi Chemical
5. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Materials Market
5.3 Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Industry Pattern
5.4 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Enterprises
5.4.1 Asahi Kasei
5.4.2 Tonen Chemical
5.4.3 Celgard
5.4.4 Shenzhen Senior Technology Material
5.4.5 Foshan Jinhui Hi-Tech
5.4.6 Xinxiang Green New Energy
5.4.7 ENTEK
5.4.8 SK Energy
6. Rechargeable Lithium Battery Electrolyte
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Lithium Hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6)
6.3 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Electrolyte Industry Pattern
6.4 China Rechargeable Lithium Battery Electrolyte Industry Pattern
6.5 Rechargeable Lithium Battery Electrolyte Enterprises
6.5.1 Capchem Technology
6.5.2 Zhangjiagang Guotai-Huarong New Chemical Materials
6.5.3 Cheil Industries
6.5.4 UBE
6.5.5 Mitsubishi Chemical
7.Motive Rechargeable Lithium Battery Enterprises
7.1 Ener1
7.2 SB LiMotive
7.3 PEV
7.4 Lithium Energy Japan
7.5 Blue Energy
7.6 CPI
7.7 Saft
7.8 Hitachi Vehicle Energy
7.9 A123
7.10 ASEC
8. Traditional Rechargeable Lithium Battery Enterprises
8.1 BAK
8.2 BYD
8.3 SCUD
8.4 Tianjin Lishen
8.5 Sanyo
8.6 Panasonic
8.7 Amperex Technology
8.8 Sony
8.9 Samsung SDI
8.9.1 Tianjin Samsung SDI
8.10 LG Chem
8.11 Simplo
8.12 DynaPack
8.13 Celxpert
Selected charts
Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Shipment, 2005-2011
Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Market Scale, 2005-2011
Geographical Distribution of Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industry by Value, 2005-2011
Shipment of Global Leading Rechargeable Lithium Battery Manufacturers, 2005-2010
Rechargeable Lithium Battery Industrial Chain
Global Lithium Ore Supply by Region
Global Lithium Ore Suppliers
Quarterly Shipment and Annual Growth of Global Mobile Phone Market, 2007 Q1-2010 Q2
Quarterly Mobile Phone Shipment Worldwide by Region, 2007 Q1-2010 Q2
Quarterly Mobile Phone Shipment Worldwide by Technology, 2007 Q1-2010 Q2
CDMA/WCDMA Mobile Phone Shipment Worldwide by Region, 2006-2010
Shipment of Leading Mobile Phone Manufacturers Worldwide, Q1-Q2 2010
Shipment and Annual Growth of Global Laptop Market, 2003-2011
Average Selling Price of Laptop and Market Scale Worldwide, 2003-2011
Market Occupancy of Major Laptop Manufacturers Worldwide, 2009 Q3
E-Book Market Scale, 2008-2012
Digital Camera Shipment, 2004-2011E
Market Occupancy of Major Digital Camera Manufacturers Worldwide by Sales Volume, 2009
Shipment of Anode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Worldwide, 2005-2010
Shipment of Anode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Worldwide by Technology, 2009-2014
Shipment of Anode Materials for Stationary Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Worldwide by Technology, 2009-2014
Shipment of Anode Materials for Motive Rechargeable Lithium Batteries Worldwide by Technology, 2009-2014
Market Occupancy of Leading Rechargeable Lithium Battery Anode Material Manufacturers Worldwide, 2010
LiCo2O4 Manufacturers vs. Battery Manufacturers
Revenue and EBIT of Umicore, 2005-2010
Revenue and EBIT from Advanced Materials Division of Umicore, 2007 H1-2010 H1
Battery Materials Base of Umicore
Organization of Umicore (China)
Distribution of Umicore (China)
Revenue of Umicore (China) by Product
Revenue and Gross Profit Margin of Ningbo Shanshan, 2007-2012
Revenue of Ningbo Shanshan by Product, 2007-2012
Sales Volume of Ningbo Shanshan by Product, 2007-2012
Customers of Beijing Easpring, 2007-2009
Cost Structure of Beijing Easpring, 2009
LiCo2O4 Sales Volume and Average Price of Beijing Easpring, 2007-2012
Revenue and Gross Profit Margin of LiCo2O4 of Beijing Easpring, 2007-2012
Revenue and Gross Profit Margin of Beijing Easpring, 2007-2012
General Expenses of Beijing Easpring, 2007-2012
Revenue of Nichia by Product, FY2004-FY2010
Revenue and Operating Profit of L&F, 2006-2011
Revenue Proportion: L&F vs. Battery Material, 2006-2011
Revenue and Operating Profit of Toda Kogyo Corp., FY2006-FY2012
Revenue and Operating Profit of Tanaka Chemical, FY2006-FY2011
Product Shipment of Tanaka Chemical Corporation, FY2009-FY2010
Income Distribution of Tanaka Chemical Corporation by Application, FY2009-FY2010
Customers of Phostech Lithium
Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode Material Manufacturers and Battery Manufacturers
Market Occupancy of Major Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cathode Material Manufacturers, 2010
Revenue and Operating Profit Margin of Hitachi Chemical, FY2004-FY2010
Revenue of Hitachi Chemical by Division, FY2004-FY2010
Output Value of Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Worldwide, 2009-2013
Global Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Demand, 2009-2013
Market Occupancy of Major Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Material Manufacturers, 2010
Key Customers of Major Rechargeable Lithium Battery Separator Materials Manufacturers, 2010
Revenue and Operating Profit of Asahi Kasei, FY2005-FY2011
Revenue of Asahi Kasei by Product, FY2009-FY2011
Operating Profit of Asahi Kasei by Product, FY2009-FY2011
Organizational Structure of Asahi Kasei
Quarterly Revenue and Operating Profit of Electronics Division of Asahi Kasei, 1Q FY2009-FY2011
Organizational Structure of Electronic Materials Division of Asahi Kasei
Polypore’s Revenue and EBITDA, 2005-2010
Polypore’s Revenue by Product, 2005-2010
Market Shares of Major Rechargeable Lithium Battery Electrolyte Manufacturers, 2010
Sales Volume and Revenue of Guotai-Huarong, 2008-2012
UBE’s Revenue by Division, FY2007-FY2010
UBE’s Operating Profit by Division, FY2007-FY2009
Ener1 Revenue and Operating Profit, 2005-2010
PEVE’s Products
SAFT’s Revenue and EBITDA, 2004-2010
SAFT’s Revenue by Downstream Application, 2009
SAFT’s Revenue by Technology, 2009
Revenue and Gross Profit of A123 Systems, 2006-2010
Revenue of A123 Systems by Region, 2007-2009
Revenue of A123 Systems by Downstream Application, 2007-2009
Global Institution Distribution of A123 Systems
Battery of A123 Systems
Development of BAK Battery
BAK Battery Revenue and Operating Margin, FY2003-FY2010
BAK Revenue and Gross Margin, 2Q FY2009-3Q FY2010
BAK Battery Revenue by Product, FY2004-FY2009
BAK Battery Revenue by Region, FY2004-FY2009
Major Clients of BAK Battery
Capacity Utilization of BAK Battery, Jan. & Dec. 2009
BYD’s Revenue and Operating Margin, 2004-2009
BYD’s Revenue by Product, 2005-2009
BYD’s Average Battery Selling Price, 2006-2010
BYD’s Battery Shipment, 2006-2010
SCUD’s Revenue and Pre-tax Profit Margin, 2003-2009
SCUD’s Revenue and Gross Margin, 2005-2009
SCUD’s Revenue by Product, 2009
SCUD’s Battery Sales Volume, 2005-2009
Lishen’s Revenue and Shipment, 2004-2010
Lishen’s Revenue and Operating Margin, 2004-2010
Samsung SDI’s Revenue and Operating Margin, 2003-2010
Samsung SDI’s Battery Revenue and Operating Profit, 2007-2011
Samsung SDI’s Battery Shipment and Average Price, 2005-2011
Revenue and Operating Profit of Tianjin Samsung SDI, 2004-2009
Revenue and EBITDA of LG Chemical, 2004-2010
Battery Revenue of LG Chemical, 1Q2009-2Q2010
Simplo’s Revenue and Gross Margin, 2000-2010
Simplo’s Revenue and Operating Profit, 1Q2007-1Q2010
Simplo’s Gross Margin and Operating Margin, 1Q2007-1Q2010
Simplo’s Laptop Battery Shipment and Global Market Share, 1999-2009
Simplo’s Laptop Battery Shipment and Average Price, 2001-2009
DynaPack’s Revenue and Gross Margin, 2002-2009
Celxpert’s Revenue and Gross Margin, 2006-2010
Ranking of Major Rechargeable Lithium Battery Manufacturers by Revenue, 2009-2010
Mobile Phone Battery Supply Relations
Sales Volume, Revenue and Gross Margin of LiMn2O4 of Easpring, 2009-2012
Revenue by Product of Tianjin B&M Science and Technology, 2007-2009
Capacity and Output of Tianjin B&M Science and Technology, 2007-2009
Sales Volume of Tianjin B&M Science and Technology, 2007-2009
Top Five Clients of Tianjin B&M Science and Technology, 2009
Top Five Suppliers of Tianjin B&M Science and Technology, 2007-2009
Battery Anode Material Revenue of TODA KOGYO, FY2006-FY2010
Specification of PEVE’s Lithium Battery Products
Revenue and Operating Profit of Sanyo Energy (Beijing), 2004-2009
Revenue and Operating Profit of Sanyo Energy (Suzhou), 2004-2009
Revenue and Operating Profit of Panasonic Energy (Wuxi), 2004-2009
