Battery materials firms ramp up LFP capacity amid rising demand

Battery materials makers are accelerating their expansion into lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials, as growing demand for energy storage systems (ESS) and non-Chinese supply chains in North America fuels competition to secure production capacity. LFP cathode supply commitments between domestic battery cell makers and materials suppliers are estimated to exceed 210,000 metric tons, according to industry estimates, prompting manufacturers — POSCO Future M, L&F and EcoPro BM — to step up investments. POSCO Future M is expanding its LFP capacity by converting part of its existing high-nickel cathode production lines at its Pohang plant. The company plans to increase annual capacity from about 20,000 tons to as much as 105,000 tons by the end of next year. It also plans to utilize up to 50,000 tons of capacity from CNP New Material Technology, a joint venture with CNGR and Fino. Following a 1.07 trillion won ($784.5 million) LFP cathode material supply deal with SK On in September, POSCO Future M signed another long-term supply contract worth about 6 trillion won with Samsung SDI last