The company said growth in shipments centered on high-nickel cathode materials, inventory valuation gains from rising lithium prices and steady demand from key customers are expected to keep results above market expectations.
Even as demand in the electric-vehicle market slows, L&F said exports of NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) cathode materials continue to rise. According to NCM export data by local government released March 15 by the Korea International Trade Association, Daegu’s export weight in February 2026 totaled about 6,208 tons, about 59% of the national total of 10,496 tons.
Daegu is home to L&F’s major production plants, and the market views the figures as a key indicator of the company’s shipment trend. On a cumulative basis for January and February, Daegu exports totaled 11,760 tons, about 62% of the national volume.
L&F said its total shipments for 2025 rose 34% from a year earlier, while shipments of high-nickel cathode materials increased about 75%, marking a record sales volume. The company said it plans to strengthen both mid- to long-term growth and profitability by expanding volumes based on its sole-supplier position for Ni95 high-nickel products, starting mass production of LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) cathode materials in the second half of this year — the first in South Korea — and ramping up supply of 46mm cylindrical cathode materials, which it began shipping late last year.
“This year, based on expanded shipments and a more diversified product portfolio, we will accelerate improvements in both earnings and financials along with a return to operating profit,” Chief Financial Officer Ryu Seung-heon said. “We will enter a full growth track centered on 46mm products and the new LFP business.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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