Recently, the global lithium battery industry chain has entered a new round of investment and construction boom, with domestic and overseas layouts accelerating in parallel. Overseas, CALB Group Co., Ltd. (China Aviation Lithium Battery, “CALB”)’s multi billion level factory has officially been established in Portugal. Domestically, companies including LG Energy Solution, Hunan Yunneng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hunan Yunneng”), REPT BATTERO Energy Co., Ltd. (“REPT BATTERO”), Wanrun New Energy, and Shangtai Technology are competitively increasing investment, intensively advancing the expansion of energy storage batteries, sodium ion technologies, and core material production capacity.
01 CALB Signs Agreement for 15 GWh Energy Storage Battery Factory in Portugal
On January 20, the Portuguese government held a strategic investment contract signing ceremony in Sines, officially signing an investment agreement with CALB Group Co., Ltd. (CALB).
CALB plans to build a highly automated 15 GWh lithium battery factory in the Sines Industrial Logistics Zone (ZILS), with a total project investment of approximately €2.067 billion (about RMB 16.9 billion), and full commercial operation is planned for 2028. The factory will focus on producing both power and energy storage batteries to meet the strong demand for new energy products in the European market. According to the agreement, the Portuguese government will provide approximately €350 million in fiscal incentives for the project.
02 LG Energy Solution Advances Sodium Ion Battery Pilot Line at Nanjing Plant
Recently, LG Energy Solution has been advancing the construction of a sodium ion battery pilot production line at its Nanjing plant in China to validate mass production feasibility. Under the company’s R&D process, this line will follow work done at the Daejeon R&D Center in South Korea and the Wucang factory (A samples), focusing on producing more complete B samples and C samples that meet the conditions for mass production.
According to reports, LG plans to complete the pilot line construction and begin sample production within the year to accelerate commercialization of next generation battery technologies. LG has responded that it “is conducting research on various construction plans, and no final decision has been made yet.”
03 Hunan Yunneng Raises Funds to Expand Production of Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate Cathode Materials
On January 19, Hunan Yunneng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hunan Yunneng”) released a fundraising prospectus announcement for a targeted share issuance. The company plans to raise up to RMB 4.788 billion, primarily for expanding production capacity of cathode materials and supplementing working capital.
According to the announcement, the proposed investment projects include: an annual 320,000 ton lithium manganese iron phosphate project, with RMB 2.8 billion of raised funds, focusing on phosphate cathode materials including lithium manganese iron phosphate; an annual 75,000 ton long cycle lithium iron phosphate project, planned with RMB 500 million of funds; and an annual 100,000 ton lithium iron phosphate project, planned with RMB 600 million of funds, to complete the upstream precursor self supply system and ensure supply chain stability and cost advantage.
04 RUNDA Green Investment Signs 10 GWh Sodium Ion Battery Project
On January 19, RUNDA Green Investment (Ningxia) Energy Group Co., Ltd. signed a demonstration project agreement for a full sodium ion battery industry chain with the People’s Government of Yanchi County, Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
RUNDA plans a total investment of RMB 3.033 billion to build a 10 GWh sodium ion battery production project in Yanchi County, covering R&D of sodium ion battery materials, cell production, and energy storage applications. Once completed, the capacity is expected to meet demand from the energy storage and electric vehicle sectors.
05 REPT BATTERO – Shengtai Technology RMB 10 Billion Battery Project Accelerates
On January 16, the construction mobilization for the REPT BATTERO–Shengtai Technology battery project in Chongqing was launched at Fuling High Tech Zone. This project is a strategic layout of Tsingshan Holding Group and SAIC Motor in southwest China, with a total investment of RMB 10 billion. It will adopt a “cell + system” deep synergy model focusing on power and energy storage battery R&D and manufacturing.
The initial phase plans an annual 12 GWh output, with production lines designed to support a variety of self developed products including the “Wending Battery.” The first phase is expected to be completed and commissioned by October this year, with full capacity planned for 2028.
06 Wanhua Chemical Advances Two Major Lithium Iron Phosphate Projects in Yantai
On January 16, Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. announced that its 650,000 ton annual lithium iron phosphate project in Laizhou and the 20 million ton annual lithium iron phosphate project (Phase II) at the Green Power Industrial Park in Haiyang have completed the environmental impact assessment acceptance and public disclosure at the Yantai Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.
The Laizhou project site covers about 366,850 ㎡ and will include a 650,000 ton per year lithium iron phosphate plant with auxiliary facilities such as circulation water systems, desalinated water systems, and air separation and compression units.
The Phase II project at the Green Power Industrial Park will construct a 200,000 ton per year battery grade lithium iron phosphate facility with associated auxiliary systems. Once completed, it will add 200,000 tons capacity annually.
07 Wanrun New Energy Plans High Pressure High Density Lithium Iron Phosphate Project
On January 16, Wanrun New Energy announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Hubei Hongmai Gaoke New Materials Co., Ltd., plans to invest in a 70,000 ton per year high pressure, high density lithium iron phosphate project, with a total investment of RMB 1.079 billion, funded from the company’s self raised capital. The project’s construction period is approximately 12 months, and the company has provided RMB 700 million in guarantees. The project will mainly produce high pressure, high density lithium iron phosphate products.
08 Shangtai Technology Advances 200,000 Ton Anode Materials Project
On January 15, Shangtai Technology disclosed during an online roadshow for convertible bonds that it plans to raise up to RMB 1.734 billion, with net proceeds to be fully invested in its 200,000 ton per year integrated lithium battery anode materials project.
The total project investment is about RMB 3.994 billion and will be implemented by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shanxi Shangtai Technology Co., Ltd., with an estimated 18 month construction period. The project includes new factory construction and procurement of advanced equipment to create 200,000 tons of synthetic graphite anode material capacity, significantly enhancing the company’s delivery capabilities and, together with its overseas layouts such as in Malaysia, further consolidating its market share.
Source：EnergyTrend