On January 16, 2026, a heavy bidding document was quietly launched on the official platform of Wanhua Chemical, sending a heavy signal bomb to the global chemical industry. This chemical giant, known for its MDI, is turning its attention to the hot new energy track and officially embarking on a substantial journey of "second entrepreneurship". The bidding announcement for pile foundation engineering not only means that a huge base with an annual output of 650000 tons of lithium iron phosphate is about to emerge in Laizhou, Shandong, but also heralds a transformation of the industry chain initiated by industry giants, which has already pressed the starting button.

A solid starting point for billions of investment

The core of this bidding is the "Wanhua Chemical Laizhou Annual Production 650000 Tons of Lithium Iron Phosphate Phase I 320000 Tons Project Pile Foundation Engineering". The project mainly uses prefabricated reinforced concrete pipe piles to lay the foundation for the subsequent installation of the factory and equipment. The bidding is handled by Shandong Wanxin Project Management Co., Ltd. The deadline for submitting bidding documents is February 6, 2026, with a price of 500 yuan and a deadline for obtaining them on January 21, demonstrating the extremely tight pace of project progress. Wanhua Chemical selects partners with almost strict standards: bidders must have a first-class qualification for professional contracting of foundation engineering, a registered capital of not less than 15 million yuan, similar performance with a contract amount of not less than 8 million yuan since 2023, and must pass the three major management system certifications of quality, occupational health and safety, and environment. For key positions such as project managers, the company has set mandatory requirements that they must possess the qualification of a first level registered constructor, provide detailed social security certificates, and cannot be replaced arbitrarily after winning the bid. Additionally, the project does not accept consortium bidding. This reflects Wanhua Chemical's determination to build this future oriented new energy materials factory in accordance with the standards of building a world-class chemical base.

Finger at the top tier of the world

The project volume of this bidding service is astonishing, with an overall planned annual production of 650000 tons of lithium iron phosphate. The target production capacity for the first phase of this launch is 320000 tons. As the mainstream positive electrode material for power batteries and energy storage batteries, the demand for lithium iron phosphate in the market continues to grow. Based on a global shipment volume of approximately 2 million tons in 2023, once Wanhua Chemical's planned production capacity of 650000 tons is fully achieved, it will become one of the top tier global producers of lithium iron phosphate. This project is the core link for Wanhua Chemical to build a new energy materials industry cluster in Yantai and its surrounding areas. In early January 2026, the foundation and pile foundation testing project for the Wanhua Chemical Green Power Industrial Park Phase II and Phase III lithium iron phosphate project has also started bidding, and an integrated industrial base integrating upstream raw materials, green power guarantee, and large-scale production is rapidly taking shape. At the same time, the base will complement the company's layout of the battery material industry park in Meishan, Sichuan, and jointly support Wanhua Chemical's new energy strategic map. Keywords: Battery Latest News, Battery News

Giants reshape the industry landscape by crossing boundaries

For Wanhua Chemical, the large-scale entry into lithium iron phosphate is its strategic choice in the face of the carbon neutral era, and is positioned by the company's senior management as the second growth curve. The traditional chemical industry is facing transformation pressure, while the new energy track provides a vast market space. Wanhua Chemical is attempting to replicate its success in the polyurethane field in the field of battery materials, leveraging its profound accumulation in chemical synthesis, large-scale production, cost control, and industrial chain collaboration. Its entry is expected to have a profound impact on the industry landscape: firstly, with its strong capital and technological strength, the release of production capacity will intensify industry competition and promote market concentration towards the top; Secondly, the company is likely to replicate its integrated and park based operation model here, extending upstream to raw materials such as phosphate ore and iron phosphate, exploring battery recycling downstream, building competitiveness in the entire industry chain, and relying on research and development capabilities to promote material performance upgrades; Finally, this move provides a benchmark case for traditional chemical enterprises to transition to new energy and new materials, which will promote the green and sustainable development of the entire industry. The launch of pile foundation engineering is not only the beginning of a project, but also a strategic declaration made by a chemical giant with billions of investment as chips, facing the future. Its roar may be ringing the bell for a new round of industry reshuffle. Editor/Gao Xue