Interview: Inside BTR’s Graphite Strategy and Global Expansion
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At a Glance: BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd.
| What You Should Know | BTR’s Position |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Global Rank | #1 in anode material shipments (15 years) |
| 📊 2024 Market Share | >22% |
| 🔗 Strength | Full supply chain integration from mine to anode |
| 🌱 Natural Graphite | Integrated from mining to purification |
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Overview of BTR Group
GraphiteHub: BTR has ranked No. 1 in global anode material shipments for 15 consecutive years, with a market share exceeding 22% in 2024. Could you further elaborate on the company’s leading advantages in the natural graphite sector?
BTR: BTR’s leading advantage in the natural graphite sector lies primarily in its full industry chain layout. The company has established an integrated industrial chain covering everything from mining, natural flake graphite processing, spheronization, and purification, to the production of finished products, ensuring a stable raw material supply and low-cost advantages.
Industry Trends & Technological Competition
GraphiteHub: The global anode material market is currently facing structural overcapacity and a price war. How is BTR addressing these challenges through its silicon-based anodes and integrated industrial chain strategy?
BTR: BTR is one of the first companies in China to achieve mass production of silicon-based anode materials, maintaining a leading position in shipment volumes. The company is also actively developing silicon-based anode materials through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology, which has been recognized by several mainstream customers, with mass supply expected in 2025. In addition, BTR has established a full industry chain layout for both natural and synthetic graphite, ensuring cost advantages and continuous technological innovation.
GraphiteHub: Will there be any disruptive changes in the application scenarios for synthetic graphite and natural graphite? How does BTR balance its deployments in power batteries and energy storage?
BTR: Synthetic graphite offers excellent cycle life, fast-charging capabilities, and strong electrochemical stability, with growing market penetration. Natural graphite, on the other hand, features high capacity, high compaction density, good processing performance, low energy consumption, and low cost. Both technological routes have distinct advantages and application scenarios and are expected to coexist over the long term.
GraphiteHub: Silicon-based anodes are seen as the future direction but face high production costs and significant technical barriers. How is BTR progressing with its 40,000-ton silicon-based anode material project, and when is it expected to become a core profit driver?
BTR: The new production lines are currently under construction, and we will gradually release capacity based on market demand. With the emergence of new fields such as the low-altitude economy and drones, along with the promotion of large cylindrical batteries and solid-state batteries, the demand for silicon-based products is expected to grow, positively contributing to the company’s shipments and overall profits.
Global Strategy and Challenges
GraphiteHub: How is BTR progressing with its “dual overseas” strategy in Indonesia and Morocco? Is there a plan to expand into the North American market?
BTR: The first phase of BTR’s Indonesia project, with an annual capacity of 80,000 tons of anode materials, achieved production in 2024 and is currently ramping up. The second phase is under construction and is expected to be operational in 2025, bringing the total capacity in Indonesia to 160,000 tons per year. At the same time, BTR is steadily advancing its cathode and anode material projects in Morocco. Moving forward, the company will plan further overseas capacity layouts based on industry development and overseas customer demand.
GraphiteHub: BTR’s overseas revenue share is significantly higher than its peers. What are the key advantages of BTR’s global strategy, and how does the company respond to complex political situations?
BTR: Through high-quality customer portfolios, full industry chain integration, strong technical reserves, and a global layout, BTR ensures its competitive advantage even in the face of complex geopolitical challenges.
📢 Additional Information
BTR is currently seeking suppliers in several areas. For its projects outside China, the company requires 100,000 t/year of flake graphite and 15,000 t/year of petroleum-based pitch. If your company can meet these needs, please contact:
Zhen Tang – Resource Development & Central Purchasing Center, BTR
Mobile: +86 158 2049 1229
Email: tangzhen@btrchina.com
If you have any questions or need assistance, you can also reach us at Harry@graphitehub.com, and we will be happy to facilitate an introduction and provide any necessary support.