<2026.1H> LIB 4 Major Materials SCM Analysis and Mid/Long-Term Outlook
1. Introduction
Report
Overview
This report aims to analyze the
global lithium-ion battery (LIB) market and supply chain management (SCM)
landscape on a semiannual basis (H1/H2) for 2026, while providing a
comprehensive review of market trends across the four key battery materials:
cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes, and separators.
Overview of
LIBs
LIBs are widely used as energy
storage devices across various applications, including portable electronic
devices, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems (ESS). The core
components of LIBs consist of cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes,
and separators. The quality and performance of these four key materials play a
critical role in determining the efficiency, safety, and lifespan of batteries.
Importance of
the Four Key Materials
Cathode materials, anode materials,
electrolytes, and separators each have a direct impact on lithium-ion storage
and transport, electrical performance, and battery safety. The composition and
characteristics of these materials significantly influence both battery
performance and production costs. Therefore, understanding the market dynamics
and supply chain status of these four key materials is essential for developing
successful strategies in the LIB industry.
2. 2026
Lithium-Ion Battery Market Analysis
Market Size
and Growth Rate
The global LIB market is projected
to reach approximately 2,018 GWh in 2026, representing a year-on-year growth of
approximately 40.1% in terms of shipment volume. Although EV demand growth has
moderated, the rapid expansion of the ESS market has emerged as the primary
growth driver. The EV market recorded approximately 21.47 million units in
2025, reflecting a 21.5% year-on-year increase, while the ESS market reached
562 GWh, with GWh-scale demand continuing to grow rapidly each year. Driven by
the explosive growth of the ESS market and increasing AI-driven power grid
demand, the LIB market is expected to maintain steady expansion. However, as
Chinese manufacturers account for more than 70% of the global market share, the
competitive position of Korea's three major battery manufacturers continues to
weaken. Nevertheless, the expansion of the North American supply chain is
expected to provide new growth opportunities beginning in 2026.
Major Market
Trends
Throughout the year, major players
in the LIB industry focused on reducing production costs while accelerating
technological innovation to overcome the ongoing EV market slowdown. In
response to pricing pressure from automakers and reduced government subsidies,
battery manufacturers implemented structural improvements across the entire
value chain. At the same time, the adoption of relatively low-cost LFP
batteries increased as demand grew for cost reduction and enhanced price
competitiveness. With the ESS market entering a phase of rapid expansion,
particularly in the U.S. and China, demand for LFP batteries is estimated to
have increased by more than 60% YoY.
Status of
Major LIB Companies
The global
shipment volume of large-format batteries for EV and ESS applications by
Korea’s three major battery manufacturers is projected to increase by
approximately 30%, from 1,882 GWh in 2025 to 2,447 GWh. However, their combined
market share is expected to decline by approximately 0.7%p YoY to 10.3%,
equivalent to 255 GWh. In 2025, the three Korean manufacturers accounted for
208 GWh out of the total market volume of 1,882 GWh, representing a market
share of approximately 11%.
China’s CATL
EV Market: CATL maintained its
dominant position as the global No. 1 player, recording a market share of 40.1%
and surpassing the 40% threshold for the first time.
ESS Market: Shipments increased
significantly, accounting for approximately one-third of the net increase in
the overall market.
LG Energy Solution (LGES)
EV Market: LGES maintained its
position as the global No. 3 player with a market share of approximately 8–9%.
EV battery usage reached 23.7 GWh from January to March, up 6.6% YoY.
ESS Market: Shipments surged by
253% YoY, significantly strengthening its market position.
Samsung SDI
EV Market: Samsung SDI continued to
experience a decline in market share, ranking around the global top 10. Battery
usage reached 5.3 GWh, down 27.7% YoY.
ESS Market: Although shipments
increased, growth remained below the market average, resulting in a slight
decline in market share.
SK On
EV Market: SK On was directly
affected by slowing EV sales in the U.S. and among major automakers. Battery
usage from January to March reached 9.0 GWh, down 10.4% YoY, with a global
market share of 3.7%.
Global Market
Outlook
With the full-scale implementation
of policies such as the U.S. OBBBA and the EU Critical Raw Materials Act
(CRMA), the battery market in the U.S. and Europe is expected to expand
further. In response, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese battery manufacturers are
accelerating local investments, while suppliers of the four key battery
materials are also expanding overseas through local production facilities and
joint ventures. In addition, as the ESS market continues to expand rapidly,
particularly in the U.S. and China, demand for batteries—especially LFP
batteries—is expected to increase further. Accordingly, consumption of the four
key battery materials (cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes, and
separators) is also projected to increase in line with the growing adoption of
LFP batteries. To overcome the prolonged EV market slowdown, battery
manufacturers are prioritizing production cost reduction and technological
innovation in safety and efficiency rather than pursuing capacity expansion
alone. Furthermore, the industry's R&D focus is rapidly shifting beyond
price competitiveness and energy density toward enhanced durability and longer
battery life.
3. Report
Structure
LIB and Four
Key Materials Market Analysis
This report is divided into three
main sections. The first section provides an analysis of the LIB downstream
market for H1 and H2 of 2025 and 2026, along with a mid- to long-term outlook.
It covers the global LIB market for small IT batteries, medium- and
large-format batteries for xEVs, and ESS applications, and includes SNE’s
insights and annual analysis for 2026.
The second section provides a
detailed analysis of LIB material manufacturers in Korea, China, and Japan. It
covers the production capacity and supply volume of global manufacturers and
provides detailed information on the supply chain management (SCM) structure
for each material. It also analyzes price trends for each material and raw
material from 2020 through H1 2026 and provides related insights.
Lastly, representative companies
for each material are categorized by Korea, China, and Japan and analyzed in
terms of business history, current status, and product information. This
section also covers major market issues that emerged throughout 2025 and 2026.
4. Strong
Points of This Report
(1) Understanding the Latest
Battery and Materials Market Trends:
This report provides insights into
global market trends and key developments, including demand for the four key
LIB materials and the business performance of major suppliers.
(2) Comprehensive Analysis of Major
Suppliers and Demand for the Four Key Materials:
This report provides a
comprehensive analysis of material supply by major suppliers, demand from LIB
manufacturers, material price trends, and annual market forecasts. It also
includes quarterly updates on major material manufacturers in Korea, China, and
Japan.
(3) Analysis of the SCM Landscape:
This report provides a detailed
overview of the SCM structure for the four key materials supplied to major LIB
manufacturers.
(4) Analysis of Material
Consumption Trends:
This report provides a detailed
analysis of changes in the consumption of each key material by major LIB
manufacturers from H1 2024 through H1 2026.
This report is expected to serve as
a valuable resource for understanding the overall LIB and battery materials
markets and for forecasting future market developments.
[Contents] – 211
Pages
1. EV / LIB
Market Dynamics
Global EV/LIB Market Review &
Forecast 06
1.1 Battery shipments (xEV/ESS) of
major LIB manufacturers in 2025 07
1.2 LIB manufacturer shipment
trends and outlook by year (Shipment) 08
1.3 Capacity utilization trends of
major LIB manufacturers 09
1.4 Mid-/long-term EV market
outlook (~2035) 10
1.5 Mid-/long-term ESS market
outlook (~2035) 11
1.6 Global battery supply-demand
outlook 12
1.7 North America/Europe battery
supply-demand outlook 13
(Reference) Battery consumption vs.
shipment 14
(Reference) Logic of 4 major
materials consumption 15
2. Cathode
Market Review & Forecast
Global Cathode Market Review &
Forecast 16
2.1 Cathode demand trends 19
2.1.1 Cathode demand trends by
material type (`25 ~ `26F)
2.1.2 Cathode demand trends by
region (`25 ~ `26F)
2.1.3 Cathode demand trends by
application (`25 ~ `26F)
2.1.4 Cathode usage trends of cell
manufacturers
2.1.5 Cathode consumption outlook
2.2 Cathode manufacturer market share 27
2.2.1 Cathode market share by
manufacturer (2024)
2.2.2 Cathode market share by
manufacturer (2025)
2.2.3 Cathode market share by
manufacturer (2026F)
2.3 Cathode market SCM (2025) – Ternary / LFP 39
2.3 Cathode market SCM (2026F) – Ternary / LFP 42
2.4 Cathode market outlook (mid-/long-term) 45
2.4.1 Cathode demand outlook by region
and material type ('23 ~ '35F)
2.4.2 Cathode production capacity
outlook ('23 ~ '35F)
2.5 Cathode and material price
trends 48
2.5.1 Cathode price trends by type
(`20.1Q ~ `26.1Q)
2.5.2 Cathode precursor price trends by
type
2.5.3 Battery metal price trends by
type
2.6 Key cathode manufacturer
developments 51
3. Anode
Market Review & Forecast
Global Anode Market Review &
Forecast 90
3.1 Anode demand trends 93
3.1.1 Anode demand trends by
material type (`25 ~ `26F)
3.1.2 Anode demand trends by region
(`25 ~ `26F)
3.1.3 Anode demand trends by
application (`25 ~ `26F)
3.1.4 Anode usage trends of cell
manufacturers
3.1.5 Anode consumption outlook
3.2 Anode manufacturer market share 101
3.2.1 Anode market share by manufacturer
(2024)
3.2.2 Anode market share by manufacturer
(2025)
3.2.3 Anode market share by manufacturer
(2026F)
3.3 Anode market SCM (2025) – NG /
AG / Si anode 111
3.3 Anode market SCM (2026F) – NG /
AG / Si anode 112
3.4 Anode market outlook
(mid-/long-term) 113
3.4.1 Anode demand outlook by region
and material type ('23 ~ '35F)
3.4.2 Anode production capacity outlook
('23 ~ '35F)
3.5 Anode and material price trends 116
3.5.1 Graphite anode price trends by
type (`21.1Q ~ `26.1Q)
3.5.2 Anode raw material price trends
by type
3.6 Key anode manufacturer
developments 119
4. Separator
Market Review & Forecast
Global Separator Market Review
& Forecast 140
4.1 Separator demand trends 142
4.1.1 Separator demand trends by
material type (`25 ~ `26F)
4.1.2 Separator demand trends by
region (`25 ~ `26F)
4.1.3 Separator demand trends by
application (`25 ~ `26F)
4.1.4 Separator usage trends of
cell manufacturers
4.1.5 Separator consumption outlook
4.2 Separator manufacturer market
share 147
4.2.1 Separator market share by
manufacturer
4.2.2 Separator market share by
manufacturer (2025)
4.2.3 Separator market share by
manufacturer (2026F)
4.3 Separator market SCM (2025) –
EV / ESS / CE 150
4.3 Separator market SCM (2026) –
EV / ESS / CE 151
4.4 Separator market outlook
(mid-/long-term) 152
4.4.1 Separator demand outlook ('23 ~
'35F)
4.4.2 Separator production capacity
outlook ('23 ~ '35F)
4.5 Separator price trends 154
4.5.1 Separator price trends by type
(`20.1Q ~ `26.1Q)
4.6 Key separator manufacturer
developments 156
5.
Electrolyte Market Review & Forecast
Global Electrolyte Market Review
& Forecast 174
5.1 Electrolyte demand trends 176
5.1.1 Electrolyte demand trends by
battery type (`25 ~ `26F)
5.1.2 Electrolyte demand trends by
region (`25 ~ `26F)
5.1.3 Electrolyte demand trends by
application (`25 ~ `26F)
5.1.4 Electrolyte usage trends of
cell manufacturers
5.1.5 Electrolyte consumption
outlook
5.2 Electrolyte manufacturer market
share 181
5.2.1 Electrolyte market share by
manufacturer
5.2.2 Electrolyte market share by
manufacturer (2025)
5.2.3 Electrolyte market share by
manufacturer (2026F)
5.3 Electrolyte market SCM (2025) 184
5.3 Electrolyte market SCM (2026) 185
5.4 Electrolyte market outlook
(mid-/long-term) 186
5.4.1 Electrolyte demand outlook ('23 ~
'35F)
5.4.2 Electrolyte production capacity
outlook ('23 ~ '35F)
5.5 Electrolyte and raw material
price trends 188
5.5.1 Electrolyte price trends by type
(`20.1Q ~ `26.1Q)
5.5.2 Solvent price trends by type
(`20.1Q ~ `26.1Q)
5.5.3 Lithium salt price trends (`20.1Q
~ `26.1Q)
5.5.4 Additive price trends (`20.1Q ~
`26.1Q)
5.6 Key electrolyte manufacturer
developments 192