The Daily Brief When economics needs a (battery) chemistry lesson
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Sep 11, 2025 The podcast dives into the pivotal role of battery chemistry in shaping economic dynamics, exploring how innovations can alter market trends and supply chains. It discusses the challenges faced by Indian textile exporters due to new US tariffs, highlighting the potential loss of livelihoods and necessary adaptive strategies. Insights into production costs and the complexities of exports unveil the intricate relationship between policy changes and market forces. Tune in for a blend of technology and economic discourse!
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Chemistry Shapes Battery Economics
- Battery chemistry determines safety, cost, charge speed and who captures value in the supply chain.
- A cell's cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator together set trade-offs that shape the whole industry.
Cathode Drives Costs And Value
- The cathode accounts for roughly 40–50% of material costs, making it the primary value driver.
- Upstream mining, midstream refining, component making and downstream integration split profits and risks across the chain.
Different Lithium Recipes, Different Winners
- LFP and NMC/NCA are competing lithium‑ion recipes with different trade-offs in cost, density and supply risk.
- A shift in dominant chemistry rearranges winners from cobalt miners to iron/phosphate suppliers or others.