Global Traction Battery Cathode Material Industrial Chain Trade Analysis: A Multilayer Modeling Approach

The fast expansion of the electric vehicle market has led to a significant increase in the demand for traction batteries, an essential element in these vehicles that provide the opportunity to achieve low-carbon and environmentally friendly growth and carbon neutrality. By analyzing the network structure and key trading countries from 2000 to 2021, this research uses multilayer network theory to explore the trade patterns and the evolution of the global cathode material industrial chain of traction batteries. Our findings indicate the following: (1) The industrial networks display multi-core trading country characteristics. Trade connections among the top 20 countries, which account for more than 80% of the global trade volume, have strengthened. (2) Over time, the geographic center of trade has shifted from being primarily focused in Europe, North America, and East Asia to embracing the entire world, including regions such as Africa, South America, and Oceania. (3) In 2021, Australia overtook Japan as the main exporter, which held the top position in 2000. Similarly, China surpassed the United States, which was the top importer in 2000. (4) Changes in global trade relationships have affected the trading habits of the top-ranked countries.