Top 10 Companies in the Cathode Active Material (CAM) Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Global Battery Innovation

In Business Insights
September 10, 2025

The Global Cathode Active Material (CAM) Market was valued at USD 21.5 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 58.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.2% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This explosive growth is fueled by skyrocketing demand for lithium-ion batteries across electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics, and energy storage systems.

As the world transitions toward electrification and renewable energy storage, CAM manufacturers are playing a pivotal role in developing high-performance materials that enhance battery energy density, lifespan, and safety. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Cathode Active Material Industry – a mix of chemical giants, battery specialists, and emerging innovators shaping the future of energy storage.


🔟 1. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt), LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Cathodes

Umicore is a global leader in battery materials with vertically integrated operations from mining to recycling. The company supplies high-nickel NMC cathodes to major automotive OEMs and maintains strong R&D capabilities for next-generation chemistries.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Pioneer in sustainable battery material production
  • Recycling capacity for 7,000+ tons of lithium-ion batteries annually
  • Strategic partnerships with European automakers

Download FREE Sample Report: Cathode Active Material (CAM) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. LG Chem

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: NCMA (Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum), High-Nickel NMC

LG Chem’s battery materials division supplies cathodes to its own battery manufacturing operations and external customers. The company is aggressively expanding its high-nickel cathode production to support EV growth.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Plans to achieve 400,000-ton annual cathode capacity by 2025
  • Developing ultra-high-nickel NCMA (90% nickel) technology
  • Mass production of single crystal NCMA underway

8️⃣ 3. Sumitomo Metal Mining

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Nickel NMC, Single Crystal Cathodes

Sumitomo is Japan’s leading CAM producer with world-class materials technology. Its proprietary single crystal cathode materials improve battery durability while maintaining high energy density.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Supplies cathodes to major Japanese and global battery makers
  • Expanding production capacity to 70,000 tons/year by 2026
  • Developing cobalt-reduced cathode formulations

7️⃣ 4. POSCO Chemical

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: NMC, LFP, High-Nickel NCMA

POSCO Chemical is scaling up its cathode business through strategic alliances with automakers and battery producers. The company is building a complete battery materials value chain.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Targeting 300,000-ton cathode capacity by 2025
  • Joint ventures with global battery manufacturers
  • Developing dry coating technology to reduce production costs

Download FREE Sample Report: Cathode Active Material (CAM) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. BASF

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: High-Nickel NMC, Manganese-Rich Cathodes

BASF is Europe’s largest chemical company with growing battery materials operations. The company focuses on advanced cathode materials with improved sustainability profiles.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Developing cobalt-free high-manganese cathodes
  • Strategic partnerships with European automakers
  • Closed-loop recycling initiatives for battery materials

5️⃣ 6. Shanshan Technology

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: LFP, NMC, Cathode Precursors

Shanshan is one of China’s largest CAM producers with complete supply chain advantages. The company has benefited significantly from China’s EV boom and LFP battery adoption.

Innovation Leadership:

  • 200,000-ton annual cathode material capacity
  • Leading supplier of LFP cathodes for Chinese EV makers
  • Developing high-performance coated NMC materials

4️⃣ 7. EcoPro BM

Headquarters: Cheongju, South Korea
Key Offering: Ultra-High Nickel NCA/NMC

EcoPro BM specializes in high-performance cathode materials for premium EVs. The company supplies major battery manufacturers with nickel-rich cathodes.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Over 90% nickel content cathode materials
  • Expanding production to 300,000 tons by 2027
  • Strategic partnership with Samsung SDI

3️⃣ 8. Ronbay Technology

Headquarters: Ningbo, China
Key Offering: Single Crystal NMC, High-Nickel Cathodes

Ronbay has emerged as a technology leader in advanced cathode materials with strong R&D capabilities. The company is expanding production to meet growing EV demand.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Specialized in single crystal cathode technology
  • Supplying major Chinese battery manufacturers
  • Expanding to 300,000-ton annual capacity

2️⃣ 9. Beijing Easpring

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: NMC, Cobalt-Free Cathodes

Easpring is a leading Chinese CAM producer with strong technological capabilities. The company is actively developing cobalt-reduced and cobalt-free cathode materials.

Innovation Leadership:

  • 180,000-ton annual cathode material capacity
  • Developing high-voltage LCO for consumer electronics
  • Strategic customer base including CATL and BYD

1️⃣ 10. Nichia Corporation

Headquarters: Anan, Japan
Key Offering: NCA (Nickel Cobalt Aluminum) Cathodes

Nichia is a specialty chemical company and leading supplier of NCA cathodes to premium battery manufacturers. The company maintains strong intellectual property in cathode formulations.

Innovation Leadership:

  • Supplier of high-energy NCA to Tesla and Panasonic
  • Patent-protected cathode surface treatment technology
  • Developing next-gen high-capacity NCA materials

Read Full Report: Cathode Active Material (CAM) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Cathode Materials Is High-Performance and Sustainable

The cathode active material market is undergoing rapid transformation as battery technologies evolve. While NMC currently dominates the EV sector, alternative chemistries like LFP are gaining traction for cost-sensitive applications.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerating adoption of high-nickel NMC/NCA cathodes for premium EVs
  • Resurgence of LFP for mass-market applications in China and globally
  • Development of cobalt-reduced and cobalt-free cathode formulations
  • Vertical integration across battery material supply chains

Read Full Report: Cathode Active Material (CAM) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies highlighted above are not just supplying materials – they’re enabling the global transition to electrified transportation and renewable energy storage through continuous innovation in cathode technologies.