In the international market, leading companies in the lithium battery industry include Panasonic, LG Chem, Samsung SDI, and SKI.
1. Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation, founded in 1918, operates its battery business under the Automotive & Industrial Systems segment. Panasonic developed its first lithium-ion battery in 1994 and began collaborating with Tesla in 2008. Its batteries are primarily cylindrical and prismatic. In fiscal year 2019, Panasonic achieved operating revenue of 8,002.7 billion yen, operating profit of 411.5 billion yen, and net profit of 284.1 billion yen.
2. LG Chem
LG Chem Corporation, founded in 1947, is a subsidiary of the South Korean LG Group. Its business scope includes basic materials, information and electronic materials, batteries, display materials, and life science materials. LG Chem entered the battery field in 1998. Since 2009, LG Chem has partnered with Hyundai and Kia to enter the power battery market, primarily offering ternary lithium-ion pouch batteries. In fiscal year 2018, LG Chem achieved operating revenue of 28,183 billion won, operating profit of 2,246.1 billion won, and net profit of 1,519.3 billion won.
3. Samsung SDI
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., established in 1970, is a subsidiary of the Samsung Group of South Korea. Its business scope includes the production of rechargeable batteries, semiconductors, displays, and solar energy materials for the electronics, automotive, and energy storage industries. SDI entered the lithium-ion battery field in 1999 and the automotive power battery field in 2008, primarily producing prismatic batteries. In fiscal year 2018, SDI achieved operating revenue of 9,158.3 billion won, operating profit of 715 billion won, and net profit of 745 billion won.
4. SKI
SK Innovation Co., Ltd., established in 1962, is South Korea's first and largest energy and chemical company. Its business scope includes oil extraction and refining, batteries, information and electronic materials, and chemicals. SKI entered the lithium-ion battery field in 2005 and the power battery field in 2009, specializing in ternary lithium-ion pouch batteries. In fiscal year 2018, SKI achieved operating revenue of 54,510.9 billion won, operating profit of 2,117.6 billion won, and net profit of 1,710 billion won.
In the Chinese market, leading companies in the lithium battery industry include CATL, BYD, Guoxuan High-Tech, AESC, and EVE Energy.
1. CATL
CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) was established in 2011. It primarily engages in the research, development, production, and sales of power battery systems and energy storage systems for new energy vehicles. CATL possesses comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities across the entire industry chain, including materials, cells, battery systems, and battery recycling for power and energy storage batteries. In 2018, CATL achieved operating revenue of RMB 29.611 billion and net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB 3.387 billion.
2. BYD
Founded in 1995, BYD Co., Ltd. has a business scope covering electronics, automobiles, new energy, and rail transportation. In the field of rechargeable batteries, its products include lithium iron phosphate batteries, ternary lithium batteries, and lithium cobalt oxide batteries, which are used in new energy vehicles, energy storage, and electronic products. In 2018, BYD achieved operating revenue of RMB 130.055 billion and net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB 2.78 billion.
3. Guoxuan High-Tech
Guoxuan High-Tech Co., Ltd., established in 1995, primarily operates in two sectors: power lithium batteries and power transmission and distribution equipment. Its products include power lithium-ion battery packs, individual lithium-ion batteries (cells), and power lithium battery cathode materials. In 2018, Guoxuan High-Tech achieved operating revenue of 5.127 billion yuan and net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of 580 million yuan.
4. AESC
Founded in 2007, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation was acquired by Envision Group in August 2018 and officially renamed "Envision AESC" in April 2019. Its main products are AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) power batteries, which combine battery electrochemical technology with the Internet of Things for energy and provide customized services according to customer needs.
5. Tianjin Lishen
Tianjin Lishen Battery Co., Ltd. was established in 1997. Its main business is to provide customers with overall power solutions. Its products include six major series and nearly a thousand models, including cylindrical, prismatic, power and polymer batteries, as well as photovoltaic systems and supercapacitors. The products are used in three major fields: consumer electronics, new energy vehicles and energy storage.
6. EVE Energy
Huizhou EVE Energy Co., Ltd., established in 2001, is primarily engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of primary lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries, and also provides related supporting products and services based on customer needs. In 2018, EVE Energy achieved operating revenue of RMB 4.351 billion and net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB 571 million.
