Roundup | Chemical Distillate Lithium Run-Up to Start the Year; ICIS Outlook '26 on Value Chains Relevant to Commodity Chemicals 09 Jan 2026 14:39:14 ET CHEMICALCOMMENTARY Lithium prices have rallied to start the year, with lithium carbonate (battery-grade) prices rising ~14% YTD to ~$17k/t ex-VAT and lithium hydroxide prices rising ~19% YTD to ~$15k/t ex-VAT. ALB shares are up ~14% YTD on the bullish lithium sentiment even after a strong rally in 2H25. China's battery materials team notes downstream cathod ...