Fundamentals of Supply and Demand in the Battery Market: Exploring Antimony Metal’s Role in Lead-Antimony Alloy Plates [Minor Metals Conference]

Supply and demand fundamentals of the battery market and the application and development of antimony metal in lead-antimony alloy plates for batteries [Minor Metals Conference]

On June 13, 2025, the Minor Metals Industry Conference’s Antimony Forum, hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., featured insights from Yi Xiaobo, a Senior Advisor at the National Quality Supervision and Inspection Center for Power and Energy Storage Battery Products. His presentation titled "The Fundamentals of Supply and Demand in the Battery Market and the Application and Development of Antimony Metal in Lead-Antimony Alloy Plates for Batteries" explored the critical role of antimony in the evolving battery market.

Understanding the Lead-Acid Battery Market Landscape

Overview of Production and Market Dynamics

Antimony is pivotal in the lead-acid battery sector, a key avenue within the broader battery industry. The sector comprises various markets—power type (electric vehicles), starting type (automobiles and agricultural machines), standby power, and energy storage applications. As of 2024, China’s automotive market showcased a significant shift, with approximately 353 million vehicles, of which New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) represented 8.9% market share. Globally, NEVs comprise about 3% of 1.6 billion vehicles.

The demand for traditional lead-acid batteries faces mounting challenges, particularly from lithium-ion technologies, which dominate the NEV sector. Safety and reliability demands persist, with lead batteries still prevalent for internal combustion engine vehicles, contributing to their sustained market presence.

Key Market Segments

1. Power Type Applications

   • Vehicles, such as electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers, play a substantial role in energy consumption. Dominant players like Tianneng and Chilwee lead the charge in production.
   • Trends indicate a shift towards more efficient, safer battery compositions as the market evolves.

2. Starting Type Applications

   • Traditional vehicles predominantly use lead-acid batteries, while NEVs increasingly adopt lithium technologies, supplementing their operations with lead batteries.
3. Gradual Market Transition
   • Companies must navigate a landscape where innovation mandates a transition from established lead-acid chemistries to newer solutions, including sodium-ion batteries, which are beginning to penetrate existing markets.

The Uptick of Electric Two-Wheelers

The electric two-wheeler market in China experienced a mixed bag in 2024, showing a decline in domestic sales but an upswing in international demand. Lead-acid batteries retain around 87% market share, emphasizing the enduring reliance on conventional battery solutions, even amidst burgeoning lithium technology.

Antimony Metal: A Resource of Growing Significance

Key Characteristics and Industrial Importance

Antimony’s extreme scarcity—only two parts per ten million in the Earth’s crust—makes it a strategic metal for industrial applications. With global reserves of approximately 2.255 million metric tons as of 2024, China leads with a substantial share, positioning antimony as crucial for sectors like military applications, energy storage, and more.

Diverse Applications

• Flame Retardants: Critical for material safety, antimony compounds enhance various industries, including textiles and surface coatings.
• Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing: Antimony is integral to the creation of battery grids, improving performance and durability.
• Emerging Technologies: Antimony’s role in advanced applications like photovoltaics reflects its versatility and adaptability to modern demands.

Production Trends and Market Insights

Supply Chain Dynamics

In 2024, China’s production of antimony metal saw a decline of approximately 10.3%. This tension between production and rising demand—driven by industries seeking antimony for photovoltaic systems—is pushing import levels higher. The need for strategic regulation and technology innovation will only intensify in the coming years, addressing the anticipated supply-demand gaps and recycling opportunities.

The Evolution of Antimony in Battery Technology

Historical Context of Antimony Usage

• The inception of lead-acid batteries in 1859 marked the beginning of antimony’s relevance in energy storage.
• Progressive enhancements—from the development of lead-antimony alloy grids in the 1880s to the introduction of modern valve-regulated designs—demonstrate the material’s ongoing contributions to battery performance.

Current and Future Trends

Current applications in flooded battery grids reveal a steady reliance on antimony, although shifts towards lithium technologies. While antimony ingot usage may decline, the demand for antimony trioxide remains stable, indicating a transition rather than a complete overhaul in manufacturing practices.

Conclusion

Yi Xiaobo’s insights at the Minor Metals Industry Conference underscore the transformational challenges and opportunities presented by evolving battery technologies. As the industry navigates a phase of significant change, antimony’s unique properties and applications will remain pivotal. The ability to adapt to market demands while leveraging innovative technologies will define the future landscape of battery solutions, ensuring that critical resources like antimony continue to play a vital role in shaping energy storage and consumption trends.

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