What is the global market for lithium-ion batteries?

The global market for Lithium-ion batteries is expanding rapidly. We take a closer look at new value chain solutions that can help meet the growing demand.

Will Li-ion cell factories remain a supplier's market with temporary supply bottlenecks?

Although current globally-announced nameplate capacity of Li-ion cell factories exceeds our market demand projections, there are several reasons why it will likely remain a supplier’s market with temporary supply bottlenecks: not all announced projects will be executed, not all will operate at full capacity, and many will be delayed.

Do battery demand forecasts underestimate the market size?

Just as analysts tend to underestimate the amount of energy generated from renewable sources, battery demand forecasts typically underestimate the market size and are regularly corrected upwards.

What is the global demand for Li-ion batteries?

Global demand for Li-ion batteries is expected to soar over the next decade, with the number of GWh required increasing from about 700 GWh in 2022 to around 4.7 TWh by 2030 (Exhibit 1).

Is the battery industry a linear value chain?

In many respects, the current battery industry still acts as a linear value chain in which products are disposed of after use. Circularity, which focuses on reusing or recycling materials, or both, can reduce GHG intensity while creating additional economic value (Exhibit 14).

How many battery factories will be built in 2022?

In total, at least 120 to 150 new battery factories will need to be built between now and 2030 globally. In line with the surging demand for Li-ion batteries across industries, we project that revenues along the entire value chain will increase 5-fold, from about $85 billion in 2022 to over $400 billion in 2030 (Exhibit 2).