Lithium carbonate: better-than-expected demand and enhanced cost support

Lithium carbonate: better-than-expected demand and enhanced cost support

Since entering 2025, the domestic lithium carbonate market has been maintaining a strong operating trend of oscillation. Battery - grade lithium carbonate spot mainstream prices reached 76-77,000 yuan operating range, up 1,500-2,000 yuan compared with the end of last year, and has not been affected by the traditional off-season as well as the rise in lithium carbonate production in December of the interference.

Judging from the downstream demand, the domestic demand for Ferrous lithium phosphate is still better than expected in January, and the material factory was obviously willing to negotiate the price; Supported by overseas demand, ternary materials resumed the rhythm of the off-season at the beginning of last year. At present, the overall mentality of the market is good.

In terms of raw materials, in December last year, the output of lepidolite in Jiangxi Province rebounded obviously (resumed production+increased production capacity), but with the approach of the Spring Festival holiday, the supply of mines will be significantly affected, and many lepidolite mines have begun to have holidays. At the same time, with the reduction of Australian ore shipments in the fourth quarter, many lithium salt manufacturers in Sichuan have reflected the recent tightening of lithium feldspar supply. The current price of Australia's 6% lithium concentrate has reached 830-850 U.S. dollars/tonne (CFR), a slight increase compared with the previous period, but also the formation of lithium carbonate prices have been a strong support.

It is predicted that the domestic lithium carbonate market will generally maintain a narrow oscillation trend before the Spring Festival.