Global Cathode Drum for Electrolytic Copper Foil Market to Reach USD 725 Million by 2031 at 10.1% CAGR Led by Nippon Steel Kozai and MIFUNE

The global market for Cathode Drum for Electrolytic Copper Foil entered 2025 on strong momentum, supported by expansions in battery-grade copper foil and steady PCB demand. At the same time, policy shifts, particularly U.S. tariff changes, together with European project delays and new technology demands for ultra-thin foils, are reshaping competition and investment priorities. The latest QYResearch "Global Cathode Drum for Electrolytic Copper Foil Sales Market Report, Competitive Analysis and Regional Opportunities 2025-2031" highlights new data, company achievements, and structural market changes.

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Latest Data
• Global market size was US$ 374 million in 2024, projected to reach US$ 725 million by 2031.
• Forecast CAGR (2025-2031): 10.1%.
• Top two players control over 30% share.
• China accounts for nearly 80% of demand.
• 1500 mm drums remain the largest type with about 37% share.
• Lithium battery copper foil represents around 89% of applications.

Leading Companies
Nippon Steel Kozai
MIFUNE Corporation
Newlong Akita
Akahoshi
Core Steel
EASTVALLEY TNC
KOTA Technology
China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation
Xi'an Taijin Industrial Electrochemical Technology

Classification by Type
1500 mm
2016 mm
2700 mm
3000 mm
Other

Applications
Lithium Battery Copper Foil
PCB Copper Foil

2024-2025 Highlights and Company Achievements
• In early 2024, Xi'an Taijin secured a U.S. patent covering a large-width cathode roller design that enables reliable production of high-strength ultra-thin copper foil, using titanium cylinders with silver-coated interfaces to improve conductivity and durability.
• Nippon Steel Kozai confirmed that it has delivered more than 3,600 titanium cathode drums, both new and re-lined, with an estimated 70% global share, reinforcing its role as the sector's most established supplier.
• Core Steel and KOTA Technology are promoting cathode drums with diameters between 2700 mm and 3600 mm, capable of handling currents up to 60,000 A, designed for high-speed battery copper foil production lines.
• SK Nexilis continued multi-site expansion plans in Europe and Southeast Asia, targeting capacity of 250,000 tons per year by the end of 2025, backed by public support in Poland.
• LOTTE Energy Materials delayed part of its European expansion in 2024 due to weaker EV demand, though its long-term plans in Spain remain.
• In North America, Nippon Denkai closed its copper foil plant in late 2024, but the facility was relaunched in April 2025 as Camden Copper, underlining the strategic importance of local foil production and related drum services.

Market Trend
Push to Ultra-Thin Foil
Lithium-ion battery manufacturers are qualifying foil below 5 μm to improve energy density. Drum suppliers are responding with higher-grade titanium metallurgy, smoother drum surfaces, and tighter tolerances. Today, commercial units can achieve surface roughness around Ra 0.3 μm, with coaxiality and straightness controlled within ±0.05 mm, enabling stable production of foils down to 3.5 μm.

Shift to Larger Diameters and Higher Current Density
The industry is adopting drums of 2016-3600 mm in diameter, paired with current capacities of 50-75 kA. This move allows higher throughput, faster deposition, and uniform crystal growth across wider foils. Drum catalogs now commonly list working widths up to 1900 mm, highlighting rapid industrial scaling.

Patent Activity as a Technology Driver
Recent intellectual property filings describe composite drum structures, silver-coated titanium interfaces, and seamless cold-spun titanium skins. These technical advances target lower electrical resistance, enhanced mechanical stability, and wider operating ranges, directly supporting the mass production of ultra-thin foils.

EV Market Volatility and Localization
The slowdown in European EV sales during 2024 delayed some foil capacity expansions, but subsidies and government incentives in countries such as Poland have ensured that projects continue in the medium term. In North America, policy initiatives and defense-related funding have revived previously closed capacity, highlighting how policy directly influences cathode drum demand.

Regional Supply Chains and Service Growth
Europe's first copper foil lines in Hungary show that local supply chains are becoming crucial. Drum manufacturers are seeing growing demand for refurbishment, resurfacing, and local servicing to reduce downtime and ensure stability for gigafactory projects.

Demand from Advanced PCB and Server Applications
Beyond EVs, demand for copper foil in high-performance PCBs for 5G, 6G, and AI servers remains strong. This segment requires foils with low roughness and high conductivity, reinforcing steady cathode drum utilization.

Aftermarket and Refurbishment Rising
Refurbishment of cathode drums has become a growth segment, with manufacturers emphasizing re-lining and resurfacing services. Installed bases are expanding, and operators increasingly prioritize cost-effective life extension of existing drums alongside new investments.

Product Snapshots
Nippon Steel Kozai - Titanium Cathode Drum
• Over 3,600 drums delivered worldwide.
• Estimated 70% global market share.
• Proprietary titanium top-skin technology ensures corrosion resistance and minimal defect rates.
Core Steel - Large-Diameter Cathode Drum
• Diameters available: 2700 mm, 3000 mm, 3500 mm.
• Maximum current rating: 60,000 A.
• Suited for high-throughput battery foil production.
Xi'an Taijin Industrial Electrochemical Technology - Titanium Cathode Drum
• Current range: 50-75 kA.
• Diameters: 2016-3600 mm.
• Web width: 1020-1820 mm.
• Capable of producing 3.5 μm copper foil consistently.
KOTA Technology - Cathode Drum
• Width: 1200-2000 mm.
• Diameters: 1500 mm to 3600 mm.
• Foil thickness range: 3.5-105 μm.
• Static balance under 3 N·m, grain size ASTM ≥12.
EASTVALLEY TNC - Cathode Drum Manufacturing
• Dedicated division for cathode drum production.
• Multiple workshops and titanium processing facilities.
• Focus on high-precision, certified titanium structures.

Downstream Customers
SK Nexilis
LOTTE Energy Materials
Solus Advanced Materials
Circuit Foil Luxembourg
JX Advanced Metals
Nippon Denkai
NUODE New Materials
Guangdong Jiayuan Technology
Anhui Tongguan Copper Foil Group
Co-Tech Development Corporation
Nan Ya Plastics
Kingboard Copper Foil Holdings
Volta Energy Solutions Hungary
Taiwan Copper Foil

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Conclusion
The cathode drum market is entering a transformative phase in 2025. Companies are racing to develop large-diameter, high-current, ultra-precision drums to enable the next generation of ultra-thin battery foils. Regional supply chain realignment, policy-driven capacity adjustments, and increased aftermarket demand will all shape the industry through the remainder of the decade. While China remains dominant, Europe and North America are becoming strategic growth points, not only for copper foil but also for the equipment that enables its production.

Chapter Outline:

Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, executive summary of different market segments (by region, product type, application, etc), including the market size of each market segment, future development potential, and so on. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.
Chapter 2: key insights, key emerging trends, etc.
Chapter 3: Manufacturers competitive analysis, detailed analysis of the product manufacturers competitive landscape, price, sales and revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 4: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product sales, revenue, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 5 & 6: Sales, revenue of the product in regional level and country level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and its main countries and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 7: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 8: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 9: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 10: The main points and conclusions of the report.

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