Consolidation across the Li-Ion battery market gaining speed
Press release
New Roland Berger study: Consolidation across the Li-Ion battery market gaining speed
"The tremendous hype around Li-Ion batteries has left us with a bubble," explains Thomas F. Wendt, Partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants' Chicago office. "Government support and far too optimistic growth assumptions about electro mobility have led to major overcapacities. What is more, the ambitious drive to achieve economies of scale as fast as possible has triggered a fierce price war between the established market players in Asia and new players in the US."
Battery suppliers unable to meet costs of capital
The Roland Berger study starts with a careful bottom-up calculation of cell and material costs right along the value chain. It demonstrates that, in many cases, producers of large-formal Li-Ion batteries will not be able to generate sufficient earnings to cover their costs of capital. This is because the automotive OEMs have been able to force significantly lower prices on their battery suppliers. OEMs will be paying between EUR 180 and 200 per kWh for large-format battery cells until 2014/2015.
"In this environment, battery producers can't generate sufficient cashflow to make vital investments in new and more efficient production systems and in the R&D needed for next-generation batteries. Yet this spending is important for driving down material costs," says Thomas Wendt.
Only the large suppliers will survive
The tight margins and lack of capital for new investment will result in a major market shake-out over the next few years. Only a few of the big suppliers of Li-Ion batteries will survive, with players from Korea and Japan probably among them.
In this struggle for survival, both the battery manufacturers and their customers, the OEMs, will be forced to rethink their strategies. Alternative technologies, like start-stop systems or light-hybrid engines, do not offer a promising market for battery makers. New developments in lead-acid batteries also present some big challenges for suppliers of Li-Ion batteries as they seek to remain competitive.
"On the other side, the OEMs have to review their supplier portfolio and find the most innovative companies to collaborate with. This is essential for securing innovative solutions and significant cost advantages," concludes Wendt.
New Roland Berger study: Consolidation across the Li-Ion battery market gaining speed
- The consolidation trend, first forecast by Roland Berger back in 2010, is unfolding faster
- Only six to eight international players in battery production will remain in the market by 2017
- Main drivers of consolidation: Overcapacity, fierce price competition, slow market growth, low margins and high R&D investment needs
- Both OEMs and battery makers must develop the right strategies for success in a difficult environment
"The tremendous hype around Li-Ion batteries has left us with a bubble," explains Thomas F. Wendt, Partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants' Chicago office. "Government support and far too optimistic growth assumptions about electro mobility have led to major overcapacities. What is more, the ambitious drive to achieve economies of scale as fast as possible has triggered a fierce price war between the established market players in Asia and new players in the US."
Battery suppliers unable to meet costs of capital
The Roland Berger study starts with a careful bottom-up calculation of cell and material costs right along the value chain. It demonstrates that, in many cases, producers of large-formal Li-Ion batteries will not be able to generate sufficient earnings to cover their costs of capital. This is because the automotive OEMs have been able to force significantly lower prices on their battery suppliers. OEMs will be paying between EUR 180 and 200 per kWh for large-format battery cells until 2014/2015.
"In this environment, battery producers can't generate sufficient cashflow to make vital investments in new and more efficient production systems and in the R&D needed for next-generation batteries. Yet this spending is important for driving down material costs," says Thomas Wendt.
Only the large suppliers will survive
The tight margins and lack of capital for new investment will result in a major market shake-out over the next few years. Only a few of the big suppliers of Li-Ion batteries will survive, with players from Korea and Japan probably among them.
In this struggle for survival, both the battery manufacturers and their customers, the OEMs, will be forced to rethink their strategies. Alternative technologies, like start-stop systems or light-hybrid engines, do not offer a promising market for battery makers. New developments in lead-acid batteries also present some big challenges for suppliers of Li-Ion batteries as they seek to remain competitive.
"On the other side, the OEMs have to review their supplier portfolio and find the most innovative companies to collaborate with. This is essential for securing innovative solutions and significant cost advantages," concludes Wendt.
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For further information, please contact:
Thomas F. Wendt
Partner
+1 248 729 5000
