Cathode Materials Market Report 2026

The cathode materials market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $22.62 billion in 2025 to $24.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in portable electronics usage, early adoption of lithium-based chemistries, growth in consumer battery demand, increasing r&d in cobalt and nickel oxides, industrial shift toward rechargeable batteries.

The cathode materials market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $32.49 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of electric vehicle production, rising demand for high-energy-density cells, increasing investments in next-gen cathode materials, adoption of fast-charging battery technologies, growth in stationary energy storage systems. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced high-energy-density cathode chemistries, growth in nickel-rich multi-metal oxide development, increasing use of cobalt-reduced and cobalt-free materials, improved cycling stability through material refinement, expansion of high-load-capacity battery designs.

The growing demand for smartphones is expected to significantly drive the growth of the cathode materials market in the future. Smartphones are advanced mobile devices that integrate traditional cellular phone functions with features typically associated with computers. These devices rely on cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which provide higher energy density, longer battery life, and enhanced safety features. For instance, in March 2024, Deloitte Ireland LLP reported that 67% of respondents felt they were using their devices excessively, a significant increase from 51% the previous year. Among various age groups, 82% of individuals aged 18-34 are most likely to believe they spend too much time on their smartphones and other devices. Nearly all individuals aged 18-75 (98%) use their smartphones daily, with over a third doing so during meals. Additionally, 74% report using their devices as soon as they wake up, up from 59% last year. This increasing demand for smartphones is driving growth in the cathode materials market.

Leading companies in the cathode materials sector are strategically driving innovation, notably through solutions such as sodium manganese oxide (NMO) cathode materials, aiming to secure a competitive advantage. NMO, a pioneering material employed in sodium-ion batteries, offers an alternative to conventional lithium-based cathodes. For example, in November 2023, IBU-tec Advance Materials, a German chemicals firm, unveiled IBUvolt sodium manganese oxide (NMO), a cathode material heralded for its safety and efficiency in modern batteries. Featuring non-hazardous and non-toxic components, IBUvolt NMO is deployed across diverse applications including electromobility and stationary energy storage systems.

In February 2024, Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM), a Germany-based developer of advanced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials, acquired LFP Cathode Technology Center for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, EAM aims to accelerate commercial-scale LFP cathode production and strengthen its position within the global battery materials supply chain. LFP Cathode Technology Center is a Germany-based manufacturer of cathode materials.

Major companies operating in the cathode materials market are BASF SE, Hitachi Chemical Energy Technology Ltd., POSCO, Panasonic Corporation, SK Innovation Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, LG Chem Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, BKT Carbon, Toda Kogyo Corp, Showa Denko Materials Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey plc, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Ube Industries Ltd., Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., Umicore SA, Jiangxi HEIMAO Carbon Black Co. Ltd., Kureha Corporation, International CSRC Investment Holdings Co. Ltd., Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry Co. Ltd., Tanaka Chemical Corporation, Nippon Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd., Epsilon Carbon Private Limited, AME Energy Co. Ltd., NEI Corporation, Nano One Materials Corp., SKC Solmics Co. Ltd.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the cathode materials market by increasing import costs for critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium precursors, leading to higher battery production expenses and disrupted supply chains. Material-heavy segments like Lithium-Ion and NMC chemistries are most affected, especially in Asia-Pacific and Europe, where dependence on cross-border metal sourcing remains high. These tariffs may delay manufacturing timelines but also encourage domestic mining, localized processing, and alternative material innovation, creating long-term opportunities for more resilient and diversified cathode supply ecosystems.

The cathode materials market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cathode materials market statistics, including cathode materials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cathode materials market share, detailed cathode materials market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cathode materials industry. This cathode materials market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Cathode materials in batteries cater to diverse user needs for high energy density and load capacity, comprised of cobalt, nickel, multi-metal oxides, and lithium additives, defining a battery's capacity and power.

The cathode materials market involves the sale of materials utilized in batteries to determine battery capacity and power. Cathode materials encompass a range of products tailored to diverse user requirements, aiming for high energy density and robust load capacity. These materials typically comprise cobalt, nickel, and multi-metal oxide compositions with the inclusion of lithium.North America was the largest region in the cathode materials market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regions in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cathode materials market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cathode materials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cathode materials market consists of sales of Ni-rich layered oxide, Lithium-excess cathode oxides, anionic redox chemistry of cathode materials, high-voltage cathode materials, cobalt-free cathode materials, polyanionic cathode materials, spinel-type cathode materials, organic cathode materials, and spinel-type cathode materials. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.