BTR Anode Capacity Expansion Strengthens China’s Battery Materials Base

BTR

BTR anode capacity is expanding again as the Chinese battery materials producer starts construction of a new 120,000 t/yr anode material project in Changzhou, Jiangsu province. The project will deepen the city’s role as BTR’s largest anode production hub in China.

BTR anode capacity in Changzhou already includes an 80,000 t/yr facility completed in June 2023. The new project will significantly increase the company’s local production base, although a commissioning timeline has not yet been disclosed.

BTR anode capacity reached 782,500 t/yr in 2025, including 622,500 t/yr in China and 160,000 t/yr in Indonesia. The latest investment shows that the company is continuing to add scale both domestically and overseas.

The expansion comes as Chinese anode material shipments continue to grow, supported by higher new energy vehicle production and rapid battery energy storage deployment.

Changzhou Location Strengthens Links to Battery Customers

BTR selected Changzhou because Jiangsu province hosts several major battery manufacturers, including CATL, CALB and Svolt. Proximity to these customers can lower logistics costs and strengthen supply-chain coordination.

This matters because anode materials are a core component of lithium-ion batteries. Battery manufacturers require consistent chemistry, particle characteristics, coating performance and large-volume supply.

Locating capacity near major cell producers can also shorten qualification and delivery cycles. As battery makers scale output, suppliers that can provide reliable local volumes gain an operational advantage.

China’s anode material market remains large and fast-growing. Domestic research groups estimated shipments of 2.9mn-3.12mn t in 2025 and expect volumes to rise to 3.3mn-3.7mn t in 2026.

That growth reflects demand from both EVs and stationary energy storage. The latter is becoming increasingly important as China and other markets deploy larger battery storage systems for renewable power integration.

Overseas Expansion Broadens BTR’s Supply Footprint

BTR is also expanding outside China. Its Indonesian cathode plant is operational and ramping toward its designed 160,000 t/yr capacity.

The company’s Morocco project remains under construction, with planned cathode capacity of 60,000 t/yr. These investments show that BTR is building a broader international battery materials network alongside its large Chinese production base.

Overseas expansion gives the company access to regional customers and can help manage trade, localization and supply-chain requirements. This is becoming more important as battery markets fragment across Asia, Europe and North America.

At the same time, continued capacity growth raises competition. Chinese anode producers will need to balance scale with utilisation, pricing and product differentiation as more capacity enters the market.

BTR’s Changzhou project therefore reflects both confidence and pressure. Demand is still growing, but success will depend increasingly on customer integration, cost control and international market access.

The Metalnomist Commentary

BTR’s expansion shows that battery materials competition is shifting from simple capacity growth toward location, customer proximity and global footprint. The strongest producers will be those that combine scale in China with regional production in key overseas markets.