Anode Material Market Grows 43.8% from January to April... China Holds 94.2% Share

According to energy market research firm SNE Research, the total global anode material loading volume used in the electric vehicle (battery electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicle, and hybrid vehicle) market from January to April 2025 was 361.7 kilotons (K tons), representing a 43.8% increase compared to the same period last year. During the same period, regions excluding China recorded 141.4 kilotons, a growth of 27.8%.

Anode material, along with cathode material, is a core component that determines the performance of lithium-ion batteries. It directly affects factors such as battery lifespan, charging speed, and energy density, all of which are closely linked to the efficiency of electric vehicles, further highlighting its importance.

In the global anode material market, Shanshan and BTR led the market, ranking first and second, respectively. Both companies have a broad customer base that includes CATL, BYD, and LG Energy Solution. Shangtai, Kaijin, and Shinzoom also each shipped more than 25 kilotons, achieving over 50% growth compared to the previous year.

As of the first quarter of 2025, Chinese companies maintained a dominant market position, accounting for approximately 94.2% of the total market share by country of incorporation.

Chinese companies are solidifying their dominance through aggressive capacity expansion and technological advancements. In addition, with rising demand for electric vehicles, the adoption of silicon composite anode materials (Si-Anode) is expanding, further strengthening partnerships with major battery manufacturers.

Korean companies, led by POSCO and Daejoo Electronic Materials, are actively seeking to enter the market by expanding connections with major cell manufacturers. However, their market share remains at around 3.2%.

Japanese companies such as Hitachi and Mitsubishi held a market share of only 2.6%. Japanese firms are evaluated as having relatively weakened competitiveness due to their conservative business operations, which rely on their existing customer base.

Recently, the sharp volatility in raw material prices and intensifying tariff conflicts between the United States and China have further highlighted supply chain risks in the global anode material market. In particular, the United States has imposed high tariffs on key materials such as Chinese graphite and, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), has restricted tax credits for electric vehicles containing Chinese parts and minerals. This is increasing structural pressure to reorganize the anode material supply chain, which is heavily concentrated in China.

SNE Research explained, "Across the industry, diversification of raw materials and regional production dispersion have emerged as key challenges, and there are also parallel efforts to secure technological alternatives such as silicon-based anode materials and bio-based materials."

Accordingly, Korean companies are seeking opportunities to expand their presence in the market by increasing production bases in North America and strengthening their lineup of high energy density and premium products.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.