In January 2025, Chinese solid-state producer WeLion signed a long term supply agreement to source 80% of its membrane and electrolyte needs from Semcorp. The agreement specifies a minimum order quantity of 300 million square metres of membranes and 100 tonnes of solid electrolyte from the Chinese separator giant over the next six years, equivalent […]
> Globally, China represents three-quarters of solid-state capacity this year, with much of this concentrated in Shandong province. Between 2024 and 2030, China’s solid-state capacity is set to grow from 62 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to almost 220 GWh, primarily driven by emerging solid-state developers rather than incumbent cell producers from the traditional lithium ion industry. “The Chinese […]
> R&D is key to how any future-facing market evolves, and in batteries, it determines which company will lead the next wave of energy innovation. Across leading cell manufacturers, R&D spending highlights sharply contrasting strategies and substantial differences within the global battery supply chain. CATL leads the way in R&D CATL has consistently led R&D investment, […]
> Lithium chemical prices spiked in China on Monday following a bullish speech by the chairman of Ganfeng – the world’s third-largest lithium producer – in which it was suggested that lithium demand growth could reach 30% in 2026. In a keynote speech on 16 November at the 10th International Summit on Power Battery Application in […]
> China has postponed the implementation of its expanded rare earth export controls announced in early October following high-level US-China trade negotiations in South Korea this week. It marks a temporary easing in what had become an escalating front in the tit-for-tat US–China trade confrontation. The announcement follows extensive economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur, […]
> Escalating unrest in Mali, as jihadi groups target fuel convoys around the capital Bamako, has led several governments including France and the US to advise their citizens to leave the country. The attacks have created fuel shortages, and raised serious concerns around the military government’s ability to maintain its rule in the country. Mali is […]
> Benchmark is pleased to announce the launch of its New Technology Service, a comprehensive quarterly report designed to serve stakeholders across the energy transition supply and value chain. The service is tailored to meet the needs of active supply chain participants assessing disruptive technology risks and opportunities, OEMs and system integrators evaluating technology readiness levels […]
> Benchmark Mineral Intelligence today announced the commercial launch of its new 314Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell price for energy storage applications. The announcement comes as global LFP battery cell prices show signs of recovery, following a marked rebound in lithium carbonate costs and tightening supply conditions across the battery materials market. Benchmark’s Head of […]
> China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has unveiled stricter listing requirements for new energy vehicles (NEVs), set to take effect from 2026. Vehicles must meet these revised specifications to qualify for inclusion on the official MIIT listing, a prerequisite for receiving favourable tax treatment. How will the new PHEV rules affect the market? From […]