At the start of 2026, the new energy industry is entering a critical period of high-quality development. As China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategy advances, global demand for energy storage expands and new energy vehicle adoption rises, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials are moving towards higher energy density, greater consistency and stronger reliability. Against this backdrop, Longxin has achieved an encouraging start to the year: shipment has begun for an intelligent spray drying line designed for 80,000 tonnes of high-compaction LFP per year. The delivery marks a further step towards large-scale, intelligent and green equipment for high-performance battery materials.
Building Momentum: Precision Manufacturing for a New Stage
Following the successful commissioning and efficient full-capacity operation of multiple 30,000- and 50,000-tonne-per-year high-compaction LFP spray drying lines at leading cathode material manufacturers in China, Longxin has expanded its capacity and technology offering with an advanced 80,000-tonne-per-year solution. The line meets demand for large-scale production of high-compaction-density LFP while also accommodating the complex processing requirements of next-generation composite cathode materials such as lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP).
From laboratory validation of nanoscale grinding to precise control of industrial intelligent production lines, and from accurate granulation of cathode material precursors to closed-loop recycling of used battery materials, Longxin continues to develop technology across the entire production chain. This shipment demonstrates the company’s engineering capabilities and marks another milestone in its collaboration with customers around the world.
End-to-End Innovation in LFP Spray Drying
As the core process connecting slurry preparation and high-temperature calcination, spray drying directly influences LFP tap density, carbon-coating uniformity and electrochemical performance. Drawing on years of engineering experience and research, Longxin has developed an integrated approach spanning process technology, design, core components and manufacturing.
1. Process Innovation: Broader Material Compatibility
For high-viscosity slurries with high solids contents of 30%–40%, including high-compaction LFP and LMFP, the line uses an optimised atomisation dynamics model to achieve a narrower droplet distribution and greater sphericity. This improves secondary-particle density and batch consistency, supporting the performance requirements of fast-charging batteries and large-scale energy storage systems.
2. Design Innovation: Comprehensive CFD Simulation
The principal tower components—including the high-temperature, high-efficiency hot-air filter, hot-air distributor, main tower and bag filter with centrifugal cleaning—are designed using comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Fluid-flow optimisation covers hot-air movement, drying trajectories and gas-solid separation. The approach improves thermal energy utilisation while reducing the risk of local overheating or uneven drying, helping to ensure phase purity and structural integrity in the final product.
3. Core Component Innovation: An Ultra-High-Speed Centrifugal Atomiser
The line incorporates an ultra-high-speed centrifugal atomiser independently developed by Longxin. With a peripheral speed exceeding 250 m/s, a liquid feed capacity of 30–50 tonnes per hour and an installed power of 800 kW, it offers a wide speed adjustment range and stable operation. Precise control of the D50 particle-size range accommodates the differing requirements of cathode materials.
4. Manufacturing Innovation: Modular Prefabrication and Rapid Delivery
The production line combines factory prefabrication of modules with rapid assembly on site. Key components undergo preassembly and functional testing in the intelligent workshop, reducing the on-site installation period by more than 30% and helping customers bring projects to market sooner.
Lean Manufacturing and Precision Workmanship
As demand in the LFP industry continues to grow, Longxin’s intelligent spray dryer workshop is accelerating production while maintaining its quality standards and delivery commitments.
1. Intelligent Manufacturing
The production process is controlled from raw material selection, cutting and welding through assembly and testing. This reduces unnecessary losses, improves production efficiency and helps ensure consistent equipment performance.
2. Precision Workmanship
Large CNC machining centres and automated welding robots ensure machining precision and weld quality for major structural components. Continuous improvements in workmanship and streamlined processes support timely delivery and dependable product quality. Core components, including atomisers and distributors, have individual lifecycle process records to ensure traceability, reliability and long service life.
3. Lean Management
Lean production practices optimise material movement and production cycles. These measures increase output while reducing manufacturing costs and resource consumption in support of greener manufacturing.
4. Modular Production
A modular design approach combines batch production of standard components with flexible configuration of customised modules. This maintains product consistency while enabling a rapid response to individual process requirements.
Drying towers, hot-air systems and dust collection units are designed as standard modules to support flexible expansion and future upgrades.
Multiple 80,000-tonne-per-year lines are now being manufactured in parallel in Longxin’s intelligent spray dryer workshop. This supports the concentrated delivery schedule following the Spring Festival while maintaining the company’s rigorous quality standards.
Setting Out in 2026
New energy storage installations are expected to continue growing rapidly in 2026, supporting sustained demand for LFP cathode materials. Longxin will continue to focus on high-compaction LFP, LMFP, solid electrolytes and recycled materials, deepening its equipment offering across research, production and recycling.
The shipment of this 80,000-tonne-per-year intelligent line represents both an increase in production scale and Longxin’s growing role in the new energy supply chain. Working with leading strategic partners in the LFP industry, the company will continue to advance higher-performance cathode materials, lower energy consumption and more intelligent production.
Turning Ambition into Progress
From laboratory exploration of nanoscale grinding and drying to industrial lines with an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, and from individual equipment supply to integrated intelligent production systems, Longxin remains committed to advancing digital innovation and environmentally responsible development in battery material production.
At this new starting point in 2026, Longxin’s team will continue to combine dedication and innovation to contribute to China’s intelligent equipment industry within the global new energy sector.
