Top lithium battery separator manufacturers in 2024 in China

Lithium ion batteries are widely used in fields such as household appliances and electric vehicles due to their advantages of high efficiency, safety, and low cost. In the structure of lithium-ion batteries, the separator is an important component.

On the surface, it is just a white "plastic cloth" with a thickness of 5 microns, but it plays a crucial role in effectively separating the positive and negative electrodes of the battery and preventing short circuits from occurring. Therefore, its quality and performance will directly affect the safety and stability of the battery and lithium battery separator enterprises especially the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers are a key link in the lithium ion battery industry chain. 

In this article introducing the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers in 2024 in China is the main content. In addition the challenges of the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers and the present market are also been discussed.

The challenge of lithium battery separator manufacturers

Firstly, as a capital intensive industry, the investment in battery separator production lines and related supporting facilities is relatively high.

Secondly, due to the involvement of multiple disciplines such as polymer materials, material processing, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, surface and interface science, mechanical design, and automation control technology in lithium battery separators, there is significant uncertainty in whether the production line can be smoothly connected and whether the product yield meets the requirements. If there are problems in a certain link, the quality of the final product may be affected.

Thirdly, the cost of lithium battery separators is influenced by various factors such as economies of scale, customer structure, equipment depreciation, and product yield, making it difficult to reduce costs.

In 2023, the CR10 of China's separator industry exceeded 90%, with high industry concentration and barriers. Thanks to the long construction period and high technological barriers, the separator market is currently in a state of basic matching between production capacity and market demand, and is still in the stage of market expansion.

The market of lithium battery separator industry

From the current competitive landscape of the separator industry in China, there have been significant changes compared to the past. Although companies like SEMCORP still maintain their leading position in the industry and lead in shipment volume, their market share has significantly decreased compared to 2022. At the same time, companies such as Senior, Sinoma Technology, Gellec, ZIMT, and Huiqiang New Materials have seen varying degrees of market share increase.

Another obvious trend is that Chinese consumer lithium batteries have entered a period of stable development. With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the market share of power lithium batteries continues to increase, which in turn drives the overall market demand for lithium battery separators in China to grow rapidly. However, in the high-end lithium battery separator market, due to incomplete localization, the demand for related separators mainly relies on imports.

Top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers in 2024 in China

Here are the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers which will be introduced from the company overview to the company updates for you to know more about the top enterprises in lithium battery separator industry.

SEMCORP

Company overview

As one of the top lithium battery separator manufacturers in the lithium battery separator industry, the company's wet process lithium-ion battery separator production scale is at the forefront of the world, with the world's largest production and supply capacity for lithium-ion battery separators. The company is the world's largest supplier of lithium-ion battery separators with the highest market share.

Main products

Membrane products, packaging printing products, paper product packaging, lithium-ion battery separators.

Company updates

On January 6, 2025, the results of the "2024 New Fortune Magazine Best Listed Company Selection" were announced, and SEMCORP was awarded the "Best Listed Company" and "Best ESG Practice Award" for its outstanding performance.

Senior

Company overview

As the second-ranked in the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers, the company focuses on cultivating the lithium battery separator industry, specializing in the research and development, production, sales, and technical services of lithium battery separators. Its main products are wet separators and various coated separators, which are applied in the fields of new energy vehicle power batteries, 3C consumer batteries, energy storage batteries, etc.

At present, Sinoma Lithium Film has established seven production bases in China. The current production capacity exceeds 4 billion square meters, the under construction capacity exceeds 2 billion square meters, and by the end of the 14th Five Year Plan, the total built capacity will exceed 7 billion square meters. 

Main products

Research and sales of lithium-ion battery separators and various functional membranes.

Company updates

Senior announced that they will sign a strategic cooperation framework agreement with RS Technologies on January 8, 2025. The two parties plan to collaborate and exchange ideas in the fields of semiconductor materials, technology transfer, and technology service ecology.

Sinoma

Company overview

Sinoma is the largest high-tech enterprise in China's special fiber composite materials industry, one of the top lithium battery separator manufacturers in 2024 in China, integrating research and development design, product manufacturing and sales, complete technology and equipment. It is the technology and equipment research and development center for China's special fiber composite materials.

Main products

Concentrate advantageous resources to vigorously develop the three leading industries of wind turbine blades, glass fiber and products, and lithium battery separators.

Company updates

On December 9, 2024, Sinoma, Swancor, and Goldwind reached an important cooperation agreement to jointly promote the development of green and circular economy in the wind power industry. The three parties will carry out in-depth cooperation in the green recycling and recyclable use of wind turbine resources to promote the sustainable development of the wind power industry.

Gellec

Company overview

Gellec is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and application of new energy lithium battery materials. It mainly produces nano lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the positive electrode material for lithium-ion power high-end batteries and high-end battery separators based on polyethylene (PE). The company adheres to the concept of "green and low-carbon, thinking first", and makes positive contributions to combating global climate change, reducing global dependence on oil use, and developing clean energy.

Main products

The company focuses on the research, development, production, and sales of wet process separators and coated separators for lithium batteries.

Company updates

Gellec's 108 shareholders are preparing to sell upstream material supplier for power batteries, Gellec shares, to Chinese state-owned enterprise FSPG, which is steadily advancing the acquisition of leading separator company Gellec's shares. They plan to acquire 100% of Gellec's shares through issuing shares and paying cash.

ZIMT

Company overview

ZIMT is a national high-tech enterprise engaged in the research and development, production, and sales of lithium-ion battery separators. ZTE New Materials, guided by market and technology, has established Shenzhen Research Institute and Wuhan Technology Center, focusing on research and development in the fields of next-generation lithium-ion battery separators for power and energy storage, new functional membranes, polymer special membrane materials, water-based coated separators, solid electrolyte membranes, etc. Its core technologies include single/double/three-layer polyolefin separator production technology, surface defect control technology, PVDF coating technology, ceramic coating technology, etc.

Main products

Research and development, production, sales, and technical maintenance of lithium-ion battery separators and special polymer membrane materials; Polymer raw materials and membrane products

Company updates

In October 2024, ZIMT Wuhan Base successfully passed the Level 3 certification of the Data Management Capability Maturity Assessment Model (DCMM). This marks the official recognition of the company's professional capabilities in the field of data solutions, laying the foundation for the transformation of digital factories.

Huiqiang

Company overview

Huiqiang New Energy is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, production, and sales of high-quality lithium-ion battery separators. The company has won honors such as Henan Province High tech Enterprise, Henan Province Functional Diaphragm Material Engineering Technology Research Center, Henan Province Science and Progress Award, Henan Province "Gazelle" Enterprise, and National Specialized and New "Little Giant" Enterprise.

Main products

Production, sales, research and development of lithium battery separators; Production and sales of insulation materials for motors and electrical appliances; Sales of lithium batteries, electrode materials, and related products; Purchase and sale of production equipment and inspection equipment for lithium battery separator raw materials and related products. 

Company updates

In 2024, Huiqiang New Energy obtained a patent for a heat treatment device for battery separator molding, which not only marks another major breakthrough in the field of battery materials, but also provides a new solution for the safety and efficiency of battery manufacturing.

Horizon

Company overview

Horizon is a manufacturer of high-end lithium-ion battery separators in the world, with an annual output of 1 billion square meters of lithium-ion battery separators, used in fields such as new energy vehicle power batteries, 3C consumer batteries, and energy storage batteries. The company has globally advanced equipment and an internationally leading technical team, providing strong guarantees for the high-end and stable quality of its products.

Main products

The enterprise is mainly committed to the research and manufacturing of functional films in the fields of new energy, environmental protection, etc. The base film covers various series of products ranging from 3-30 μ m, and the coating includes high heat-resistant inorganic ceramics, high viscosity organic polymers, and various functional modified material coating series products 

Company updates

Horizon, with its outstanding research and development capabilities and technological innovation achievements in the field of lithium battery separators, has won the sixth batch of national level specialized, refined, and new "Little Giant" awards.

Cangzhou Mingzhu

Company overview

Cangzhou Mingzhu has established three major industrial parks in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, China. In the fields of water and gas pipeline networks, Cangzhou Mingzhu has outstanding product advantages and leads the domestic market. We also operate the business of biaxially oriented nylon film and lithium-ion battery separator.

Main products

The company's main products include PE gas pipes, water supply pipe materials, fittings, film products, lithium battery separators, and other business income. 

Company updates

In the first three quarters of 2024, Cangzhou Mingzhu's revenue slightly decreased by 1.5% year-on-year, although the decline was not significant, it has been a continuous decline for more than two years. Overall, the performance in the first three quarters of 2024 is still sluggish, but the situation in the third quarter is still good.

BS

Company overview

BS is a high-tech enterprise in the field of new energy materials, a strategic emerging industry in China, and a top tier enterprise in the lithium-ion battery dry separator industry. It specializes in the research and development, production, and sales of lithium-ion battery separators. Headquartered in Shenzhen and two major production bases in China the products are mainly supplied to leading battery companies such as BYD and CATL.

Main products

Our main business includes the research and development, sales, and technical services of battery materials, separator materials, special polymer films, thermal conductive materials, and insulation materials

Company updates

In 2024, BS will show up at the 16th International Battery Technology Exchange Conference/Exhibition with various specifications of lithium battery separators, new composite collectors, foam copper, extruded copper aluminum bars and semi-solid electrolyte composite films.

Pulead

Company overview

Pulead is a start-up, innovative, and technology-based high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, production, sales, and technical services of separator materials for international and Chinese high-power energy storage and electric vehicle lithium battery manufacturing enterprises. The company is mainly committed to the research and production of wet process diaphragm products, and the diaphragm materials produced are mainly used in high-power energy storage battery and lithium batteries for electric vehicles both domestically and internationally.

Main products

The main business scope includes the research and development, production, and sales of electronic insulation materials, polymer composite materials, energy storage materials, microporous membrane materials, plastic additives, and new energy devices, as well as the import and export business of various commodities and technologies through self operation and agency.

Company updates

In the field of lithium battery separators, Pulead has achieved multiple core technological achievements and applied for a patent for a biaxial stretching device for polyethylene separators in March 2024.

Conclusion

Chinese lithium battery separator industry has significantly expanded their production capacity, and global production capacity is concentrated in China. In the past two years, with the high prosperity of the separator industry, the expansion speed of production capacity of Chinese separator enterprises has accelerated. 

At present, more Chinese companies are turning their attention to overseas and gradually increasing the scale of building factories overseas. Different countries and regions have specific requirements for enterprises, with the most typical being the requirement for "localized production". Most of the top 10 lithium battery separator manufacturers have built factories overseas in advance, aiming to establish a good brand image and reputation locally in response to policy adjustments or changes in regional conditions.

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