Page 156 - CW E-Magazine (29-7-2025)

News from Abroad

CONSOLIDATING DOMINANCE
China restricts battery cathode material technology

exports

China has put export restrictions preparation. It also adjusts require-
on technologies critical for producing ments for gallium metal extraction.
electric vehicle (EV) batteries, includ- The export of LFP and LMFP techno-
ing lithium iron phosphate (LFP). logy has not been completely halted.
Inclusion on the list means transferring According to a ministry spokesper-
the technologies overseas – such as son, as “technologies restricted from
through trade, investment, or techno- export”, they are subject to licence
logical cooperation – will require a management: they may not be exported
government-issued license, according without authorisation. “The Ministry
to a statement by the country’s to push them to set up shop there. Many of Commerce will further optimise
Commerce Ministry on July 15. Chinese battery makers also have plans management measures, improve export
to localise production in markets such licensing and contract registration pro-
The new restriction covers prepa- as Southeast Asia and the US. cedures, provide more public service
ration technologies for battery cathode products, and guide enterprises to do
materials, including lithium iron phos- China’s Commerce Ministry said a good job in compliance,” said the
phate, lithium manganese iron phos- the restrictions “aim to safeguard spokesperson.
phate, and phosphate cathode raw mate- national economic security and deve-
rials. These technologies are widely lopment interests, and promote inter- China dominates the production
used in the electric mobility sector for national economic and technological of LFP batteries and the processing of
lithium-ion battery production, parti- cooperation.” lithium globally, according to Fastmarkets,
cularly for electric vehicles and energy a UK-based research company. Last
storage. The revision also modifi es existing year, it held 94% market share for LFP
restrictions on non-ferrous metallurgy production capacity and provided 70%
The new controls mirror similar res- technology, adding control points for of global processed lithium production.
trictions introduced just three months spodumene-based lithium carbonate China’s dominance in LFP production
ago on certain rare earth elements and and lithium hydroxide production, means that even for LFP produced out-
their magnets – critical materials used metal lithium and lithium alloy prepa- side of China, Chinese suppliers would
not only in EV production, but also ration, brine lithium extraction, and still often play a part in the production
in consumer electronics and military lithium-containing purifi cation liquid of precursors to LFP cathodes.
equipment such as fi ghter jets.
LBB Specialties and Givaudan ink
Huge numbers of car manufacturers
around the world use Chinese EV exclusive distribution deal
batteries in their vehicles. Chinese EV
battery makers accounted for at least US-based speciality chemicals Active Beauty’s portfolio of cosmetic
67% of the global market share, according and ingredient distribution, LBB ingredient solutions.
to SNE Research, a market research Specialties (LBBS), has announced
and consultancy fi rm. a new exclusive distribution partner- “This collaboration enhances LBBS
ship in Canada with Givaudan Active Canada’s ability to offer a broader
First proposed in January, the latest Beauty, the Swiss cosmetic ingredients range of specialty ingredients and pro-
licensing requirements have cast uncer- company. vide technically driven solutions for
tainty over Chinese EV makers’ over- skin, hair, makeup, and body applica-
seas expansion plans, particularly as Under this agreement, LBB Specia- tions, including proven technologies
markets like the European Union have lties Canada will become the exclu- like biotech actives, hyaluronic acid,
employed tariffs on Chinese car exports sive Canadian distributor of Givaudan and squalane,” the company said.

156 Chemical Weekly July 29, 2025

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