Silicon-based anodes are expected to open up channels in the field of power batteries

Silicon-based cathode are expected to open up channels in the field of power batteries

The market potential of silicon-based anodes is gradually opening up

The data shows that in 2020, China’s composite silicon-based anode shipments will be 6,000 tons, and in 2021, the shipments will be 11,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 83.3%.

Behind the rapid growth, on the one hand, from the strong market demand for power tool batteries and smart home lithium batteries, superimposed by international power tool giants,

The supply of lithium batteries such as cross-border e-commerce has shifted to China, and the increase in demand for high-capacity and high-rate lithium batteries has driven the China demand for silicon-based anodes.

At present, silicon-based anodes are mainly used in the field of high-end cylindrical battery, and the application of silicon-based anodes in the above two major segments accounts for more than 70% of the silicon-based anode market consumption.

Silicon-based anodes are mainly used in the field of high-end cylindrical batteries

On the other hand, it stems from the steady growth of power batteries. In terms of power batteries, among the current mass-produced models, only Tesla’s long-range version models incorporate a small amount of silicon into the negative electrode, and the increase in model sales has driven the growth of demand for some Chinese silicon-based negative electrodes.

Gaogong Lithium was informed that, as one of the few companies in China that has achieved mass production of silicon-based anodes, Shanshan Technology’s silicon-based anodes are rapidly increasing in the supply of power tools, smart homes, and high-end 3C digital markets.

In 2021, the silicon-based anode will achieve full production and full sales, and will pass multiple rounds of evaluations by mainstream car companies in the field of power battery applications.

The unanimous judgment of the industry is that, taking into account the higher specific capacity and longer service life than graphite, silicon-based anodes will quickly usher in large-scale application needs in the field of high-end lithium batteries.

At the same time, the large-scale mass production of 4680 large cylindrical batteries and long-life fast-charging models, superimposed on the expansion and acceleration of the silicon-based anode industry chain, will promote the explosive growth of silicon-based anode materials.

Three major incremental markets for silicon-based anodes

Silicon-based anodes mainly refer to graphite-doped silicon composite materials. Doping products include silicon carbon (Si/C) anode materials and silicon oxide (SiO/C) anode materials. The mainstream silicon-doped ratio is 5%-6%.

At present, silicon-based anodes are mainly used in high-end 3C digital, power tools and other fields, and are expected to open up an exponential growth channel in the field of power batteries.

Silicon-based anodes mainly refer to graphite-doped silicon composite materials

Power tool market

Since 2021, EVE, Changhong Energy, BAK Battery, Far East Battery, Penghui Energy and other companies have seen different levels of growth in the shipment of lithium batteries for power tools, and are actively expanding production to meet the growing demand in the downstream market.

The head supplier of power tool lithium batteries said that according to the customer’s demand for battery performance, some high-rate cylindrical batteries with a capacity of 2500-2600mAh have silicon-based anode applications, and most products with a capacity of 3000-3350mAh and 3500mAh must be A silicon-based negative electrode is used.

Entering 2022, the market demand for power tool lithium batteries will continue to grow. Haistar Power’s current cylindrical lithium battery orders have covered the company’s production plan for the first three quarters; Penghui Energy is preparing more production lines to supply TTI and other high-end tool customers; Tianpeng Power has been supplied by Stanley Black & Decker for 3 years long order.

The data shows that, driven by the growth of the global power tool market, the global power tool lithium battery shipments will be 22GWh in 2021; Driven by this, silicon-based anodes will also usher in continuous growth opportunities.

Entering 2022, the market demand for power tool lithium batteries will continue to grow

Power battery market

Downstream customers have higher requirements for fast charging performance and battery life. High-energy-density batteries are favored by the market, and the advantages of silicon-based negative electrodes are more prominent.

On the market side, the application of silicon-based negative electrodes has been significantly accelerated by car companies. The 4680 cylindrical battery launched by Tesla is clearly matched with silicon-based negative electrodes, and mass production has been launched in February this year.

Including Weilai, Zhiji and GAC Aian, all mentioned silicon anodes in battery technology, and they plan to launch and deliver them this year; Guoxuan 210Wh/Kg LFP cells have also successfully applied silicon anodes for the first time.

Li Jin, senior manager of GAC Aeon Technology Center, said that the GAC Aeon sponge silicon anode sheet battery uses a ternary positive electrode, with a silicon oxide anode material, and the gram capacity and silicon doping ratio are higher than the levels of existing models on the market.

Generally speaking, silicon-based negative electrodes are most suitable for use on cylindrical batteries, but GAC Aeon took the lead in applying them to square batteries, the battery material system has been improved, and the design of magazine batteries has been introduced into the whole package design. ideas.

Tesla 4680 battery application effect, superimposed silicon-based anodes in the field of power batteries from cylindrical to square and soft pack applications, the silicon-based anode market will go from dormancy to explosion.
The 4680 cylindrical battery launched by Tesla is clearly matched with silicon-based negative electrodes

High-end digital market

The rise of products such as smartphone terminal demand, civilian drones, and smart wearable devices brought about by the promotion of 5G technology will drive the growth of high-end consumer batteries.

The industry predicts that the penetration rate of silicon-based anodes in high-end consumer batteries will exceed 50% in 2025.

Industry chain enterprises accelerate

At present, the only companies in China that have really achieved mass production and batch supply of silicon-based anodes are Shanshan and Bettray. Putailai, Shidashenghua, Xiangfenghua, Sibao Technology and other companies are in the layout, pilot test or R&D stage. The market demand for downstream applications has been “rising”, and the above-mentioned silicon-based anode companies are also accelerating the process of industrialization.

Shanshan said that the latest generation of fast-charging products (3C and 5C) have been trial-produced in mainstream consumer companies around the world. It is expected to be fully introduced in 2022, and the company’s fast-charging consumer products will continue to lead the market. In the field of power battery application, it has passed multiple rounds of evaluation by mainstream car companies, and the new generation of silicon-oxygen anode material project has been launched.

Putailai said that the company’s silicon carbon anode materials are currently mainly used in soft pack batteries and square batteries, and a certain number of pilot products are used in client applications.

Putailai said that the company's silicon carbon anode materials are currently mainly used in soft pack batteries and square batteries

With the matching of the industrial chain, such as the introduction of low-expansion binders and additives to improve the first efficiency, the application of silicon carbon and silicon-oxygen materials in prismatic cells will be increased. The company already has pilot-scale silicon carbon and silicon oxygen capabilities, and the scale will be increased according to market needs.

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