Source: Christopherchico
China's 60% year-over-year expansion in lithium iron phosphate cathode capacity to 3.75 million tons reflects producers racing to capture share before prices compress further, not a sign of market health. The expansion is fragmented across dozens of regional players with inconsistent quality and cost structures. The industry will cannibalize margins rather than consolidate, forcing global EV makers to either accept lower-grade materials or lock into long-term contracts with Chinese suppliers at rates already undercutting Western alternatives.