<2025> Next-Generation Lithium Metal Battery Technology Development Status and Market Outlook
Report
Introduction
The
current electric vehicle (EV) market is facing growth limitations. Globally, EV
sales are increasing more slowly than expected, mainly due to the lack of
sufficient charging infrastructure and the limitations of battery technology.
In this situation, innovative battery technologies are urgently needed to
address concerns about EV driving range and charging time. In particular,
improving the energy density and efficiency of batteries—which significantly
affect the driving range and performance of EVs—is crucial.
In
this context, lithium metal batteries are gaining attention. Compared to
conventional lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries have higher energy
density and the potential to provide longer driving ranges. This technology is
being recognized as a promising solution that can alleviate range anxiety and
offer better performance, thereby accelerating the growth of the electric
vehicle market.
Lithium
metal, in theory, has an extremely high specific capacity (~3860 mAh/g), the
lowest electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode),
and the lowest density (0.53 g/cm³). Due to these characteristics, the lithium
metal anode is considered one of the most promising materials for delivering
high capacity and output per unit weight and volume.
In
addition, anode-less (or anode-free) technologies—which use substrates without
lithium or apply only a minimal amount of lithium to the anode—are also being
actively researched. Since there is no excess lithium within the cell,
anode-less technology offers the advantages of further increasing energy
density and reducing manufacturing costs.
However,
these technologies still face several limitations. In the case of lithium metal
anodes, dendrite growth and low Coulombic efficiency are considered major
challenges. Dendrite growth shortens the battery lifespan and, in severe cases,
can lead to safety hazards. Anode-less technology also needs to overcome issues
related to dendrite formation and low Coulombic efficiency. In particular, if
lithium metal is not uniformly deposited during the initial charge, battery
stability can be significantly compromised. Therefore, to commercialize these
technologies, methods to suppress dendrite growth and improve Coulombic
efficiency must be developed. To this end, various studies are underway,
including improvements in electrolyte design, the application of protective
surface coatings, and the development of 3D structural designs.
This
report focuses on lithium metal anode and anode-less technologies, which are
considered promising next-generation anode materials, along with the challenges
these technologies face and the latest R&D trends aimed at overcoming them.
It also examines the technological and developmental status of more than 50
companies and research institutions related to lithium metal across South
Korea, China, Japan, North America, and Europe. Lastly, in the market analysis
section, the report forecasts the demand and market size of lithium metal
anodes and lithium metal batteries through 2035 under both optimistic and
conservative scenarios, taking into account their potential application in
electric vehicles and other areas within the context of the emerging next-generation
battery market.
Table
of Contents (total
310 pages)
1. Introduction
1.1 LIB Requirements
1.2 LIB Development Status
2. Anode
Technology and Development Status
2.1 LIB Anode Overview
2.2 LIB Anode Development Status
2.3 Next-Gen
Anode Development Direction(Li-metal anode, Anode-less)
3. Lithium
Metal Production Technology and Supply Status
3.1 Lithium Production and Supply Status
3.1.1 Global Lithium Potential Reserve
3.1.2 Global Lithium Production
3.1.3 Lithium Sources: Mineral, Ores, Brines
3.1.4 Lithium Demand Outlook
3.2 Lithium
Metal Manufacturing Technology
3.2.1 Lithium Material Technology
3.2.2 Lithium Metal Anode Manufacturing Technology
3.3 Issues with Lithium Metal Manufacturing Technology
3.3.1 Limitations in Lithium Metal Anode Manufacturing
Technology
3.3.2 High-cost Structure
4. Lithium
Metal Battery R&D Status
4.1 Lithium Metal Battery Research History
4.1.1 Overview
4.1.2 Lithium Metal Battery History and Emergence of
Importance
4.2 Lithium Metal Battery Major Issues
4.2.1 Li Dendritic Growth
4.2.2 SEI Layer Issue
4.3 Lithium
Metal Battery R&D Status
4.3.1 Artificial SEI
4.3.2 New Structure Deign
4.3.3 Electrolyte Modification
4.3.4 Anodeless Design
5. Lithium
Metal-Related Companies
5.1 Overview
5.2 Asian Companies
5.2.1 Samsung SDI
5.2.2 LG Energy Solution
5.2.3 SK On
5.2.4 UBATT
5.2.5 CATL
5.2.6 EVE
5.2.7 Prologium
5.2.8 Qingtao Energy
5.2.9 Welion
5.2.10 Montavista
5.2.11 Shenzen Inx Technology
5.2.12 Hyundai Motor Group
5.2.13 POSCO
5.2.14 EcoPro Innovation
5.2.15 NEBA Corporation
5.2.16 Solum
5.2.17 Ulvac Inc.
5.2.18 Honjo Metal
5.2.19 Santoku
5.2.20 Ganfeng Lithium
5.2.21 Tianqi Lithium
5.2.22 China Energy Lithium (CEL)
5.2.23 Wuxi Sunenergy Lithium
5.2.24 BTR
5.2.25 SoftBank
5.2.26 AIST
5.2.25 NIMS
5.3 European
Companies
5.3.1 Blue Solutions
5.3.2 LionVolt
5.3.3 Volkswagen
5.3.4 Mercedes-Benz
5.3.5 SIDRABE
5.3.6 IMEC
5.4 North American Companies
5.4.1 SES AI
5.4.2 QuantumScape
5.4.3 Solid Power
5.4.4 Factorial Energy
5.4.5 SOELECT
5.4.6 TeraWatt Technology
5.4.7 Hydro Quebec
5.4.8 Sion Power
5.4.9 Lyten Energy
5.4.10 Enpower Greentech
5.4.11 PolyPlus
5.4.12 Sepion Technologies
5.4.13 Ion Storage Systems
5.4.14 Sakuu
5.4.15 Pure Lithium Corp.
5.4.16 GM
5.4.17 Ford
5.4.18 Li-Metal Corp.
5.4.19 Albemarle
5.4.20 Rio Tinto Lithium
5.5 Summary of Major Companies
6. Market
Outlook
6.1 Overview
6.1.1 Lithium Metal Battery Types and Cost Structure
6.1.2 Lithium Metal Battery Roadmap
6.1.3 Lithium Metal Battery Commercialization
Scenario
6.2 Li Metal Anode Market Outlook
6.2.1 Lithium Metal Anode Demand Outlook
6.2.2 Lithium Metal Anode Price Outlook
6.2.3 Lithium Material Price Outlook
6.2.4 Extrusion-Rolling Process Lithium Foil
Manufacturing Cost
6.2.5 Lithium Metal Battery Demand and Penetration
Outlook
6.2.6 Lithium Metal Battery Cost and Market Size
Outlook
6.2.6 Lithium Metal Battery Cost and Market Size
Outlook
6.2.7 Lithium Metal Battery Demand Outlook by
Application