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In the vast territory of the energy storage field, the lead-acid battery, a "veteran" after years of precipitation, even in the face of the fierce impact of emerging energy storage technologies, is still firmly rooted in the market with deep technical accumulation and unique advantages, and releases energy that cannot be ignored. Recently, the lead-acid battery industry is bustling, the expansion of market size, the emergence of technological innovation, the change of policy direction and the reshaping of the competitive landscape, each dynamic is injecting new vitality into the development of the industry, drawing a magnificent development blueprint.

1. Market size: Steady growth with unlimited potential

In recent years, the market size of the lead-acid battery industry has shown a steady upward trend. Domestic market data show that in 2023, the market size of China's lead-acid battery industry successfully exceeded the 150 billion yuan mark, and in the past five years, the compound growth rate of the industry reached 4.48%, demonstrating stable growth resilience. Into 2024, the pace of growth is still continuing, preliminary estimates, this year, China's lead-acid battery industry market size has been stable more than 160 billion yuan. Looking at the world, the market size of the global lead-acid battery industry in 2023 is close to 50 billion US dollars, and the compound growth rate of the industry in the past five years is as high as 6.44%, and by 2024, the global market size has successfully crossed the threshold of 52 billion US dollars.

Such a strong growth momentum cannot be separated from its extensive and solid downstream application support. In the automotive starting application market, lead-acid batteries have always occupied an unshakable dominant position. In 2023, this field will account for more than 40% of the market share of lead acid batteries in China. The moment the car starts, the engine needs a strong current to drive the starter, and the lead-acid battery can accurately capture this demand, with the excellent performance of the instant release of large current, regardless of the cold winter and summer, it can ensure the smooth ignition of the car engine and open convenient travel for the owner. In the field of backup power supply of communication base stations, lead-acid batteries also play the role of "ballast stone". Communication base stations on the stability and continuity of power supply requirements are almost harsh, once the mains interruption, lead-acid batteries will quickly "come forward", relying on its mature technology and relatively close to the cost of the people, a steady stream of power for the base station equipment, to ensure the stable operation of the communication network, so that the transmission of information without the least obstruction.

2. Technological innovation: bring forth the new and reshape vitality

The lead-acid battery industry is racing on the track of technological innovation and constantly making breakthroughs. Material innovation opens up a new world for improving battery performance. Researchers have explored the mysteries of lead alloys, and after repeated trials and optimization, they have successfully developed new lead-calcium alloys and lead-tin alloys. These new alloys are like injecting a "booster shot" into lead-acid batteries, effectively suppressing the painful side reaction of hydrogen evolution during battery charging and discharging. In the past, hydrogen evolution side reactions often lead to a large amount of electrolyte consumption, the battery life is greatly reduced, and now the use of new alloy plates, gas recombination efficiency has been greatly improved, the water loss problem has been significantly improved, the service life of the battery has been greatly extended, and the stability and reliability in the long-term use of the process to a higher level.

The upgrading of the manufacturing process has also injected surging momentum into the development of the industry. Automated and refined production process has become the mainstream trend of industry development. In the plate manufacturing process, continuous casting and rolling technology is like a skilled craftsman, accurately controlling the plate thickness, making it more uniform, and greatly improving the utilization of active substances, which significantly enhances the capacity and charge-discharge performance of the battery. Into the modern battery assembly workshop, high-precision automation equipment is neatly arranged, they are like trained "soldiers", and meticulously assemble the polar group to ensure that the polar group assembly of each battery is highly consistent, greatly reducing the battery performance differences caused by assembly errors. Not only that, some companies have also introduced advanced battery management system (BMS), this system is like an intelligent "butler", real-time accurate monitoring of battery voltage, current, temperature and other key parameters, according to the monitoring data intelligent regulation of charge and discharge process, all-round improve the safety and reliability of the battery, The lead-acid battery can also run stably in complex and varied application scenarios.

3. Policy orientation: good news, escort

Recently, the policy level has brought many positive signals for the development of the lead-acid battery industry. The Ministry of Commerce and other five departments jointly issued the "promotion of electric bicycles to replace the old implementation plan" is particularly eye-catching, the plan clearly states that for the return of old lithium-ion battery electric bicycles and buy lead-acid battery electric bicycles consumers, will appropriately increase subsidies. The introduction of this policy is by no means accidental, in recent years, electric bicycle lithium battery safety accidents have occurred frequently, which has caused widespread concern from all walks of life. In sharp contrast, lead-acid batteries, with their mature technology, excellent safety performance and perfect recycling system, have become the only choice to improve the safety of electric bicycles. Once the policy was released, Fujian, Chongqing, Hainan, Sichuan and other provinces and cities quickly responded, have combined with the local actual situation, introduced local subsidy programs to encourage consumers to actively buy lead-acid battery electric bicycles, this initiative is like a timely rain, for the lead-acid battery industry has brought new market growth opportunities.

In terms of environmental protection policies, although the environmental requirements for lead-acid battery production and recycling are increasingly stringent, in the long run, this is undoubtedly a powerful driving force to promote the transformation and upgrading of the industry. Many enterprises actively respond to the call for environmental protection, increase investment in environmental protection, and reduce pollutant emissions from the source by improving the production process; In the recycling process, a perfect recycling system has been gradually established to ensure the efficient recovery and resource recycling of waste lead-acid batteries. This not only reduces the harm to the environment, but also opens up a new profit growth point for enterprises, and realizes a win-win situation of economic benefits and environmental benefits.

4. Competition pattern: Leading the way and advancing in diversity

In the competition stage of the lead-acid battery industry, leading enterprises have become the mainstay of the development of the industry with multiple advantages such as brand, technology and scale. Leading enterprises spare no effort in technology research and development, continue to increase investment, and continue to introduce a series of high-performance, long-life lead-acid battery products, which have gained wide recognition and good reputation in the market. For example, with cutting-edge research and development technology, the new products launched by Tianneng battery have achieved major breakthroughs in driving range and service life; By optimizing the production process, accurately controlling the cost, greatly improving the product cost performance, and further consolidating the market competitiveness.

At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises in the industry are not outdone and actively explore differentiated development paths. Some companies focus on market segments and develop special products for specific application scenarios, such as solar energy storage and special environmental operations. These products accurately meet individual needs and successfully open up a "blue ocean" of their own in the market. There are also some enterprises through strengthening close cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises, integrating industrial chain resources, optimizing operational processes, improving overall operational efficiency, and responding to the fierce market competition with a more flexible attitude, injecting diversified vitality into the development of the industry.

The lead-acid battery industry has shown a good trend of steady expansion of market size, fruitful achievements in technological innovation, continuous favorable policy environment, and diversified development of competitive pattern in the near future. Looking forward to the future, with the continuous progress of technology, the continuous expansion of application fields and the strong support of policies, lead-acid batteries are expected to continue to write a brilliant chapter in the energy storage market and continue to contribute important forces to social development.