Market Overview - The price of lithium carbonate has significantly dropped, with the domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) settling at 162,500 CNY/ton, a decrease of approximately 10,000 CNY from the previous trading day [1] - The price for battery-grade lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) is now 152,500 CNY/ton, down by 5,000 CNY [1] - The futures market shows the main contract for lithium carbonate closing at 150,860 CNY/ton, a decline of 22,520 CNY, with a noticeable decrease in open interest [1] Price Trends - The ICC lithium battery settlement prices indicate a downward trend for various lithium products, with battery-grade lithium carbonate dropping from 17.25 to 16.25 CNY/kg, and lithium hydroxide from 15.75 to 15.25 CNY/kg [2] - The average price level for energy storage cells suggests that second-tier companies can withstand lithium carbonate prices around 161,000 CNY [4] Industry Focus - SQM's lithium carbonate sales in Chile reached 66,200 tons in Q4 2025, marking a 14% year-on-year increase and a 5% quarter-on-quarter increase, setting a new historical high [5] - Geely's lithium iron phosphate project in Jiangxi has officially commenced production, with an annual capacity of 30,000 tons for lithium iron phosphate cathode materials [5] Market Influences - The recent decline in lithium prices is attributed to several factors, including poor sales performance from car manufacturers during the extended Spring Festival holiday, with companies like Li Auto and NIO reporting declines of 12.5% and 4.5% respectively [7] - The ongoing conflict in the Middle East raises concerns about the demand for energy storage in that region, which is a significant export market for China, potentially leading to a slowdown in demand [7] - There are reports of major lithium battery manufacturers reducing orders, although material suppliers have not confirmed any order cuts [7] - The expectation is that the lithium carbonate market will undergo a corrective adjustment in the short term, with strong demand support around the 130,000 to 140,000 CNY range, indicating no significant change in the supply-demand dynamics [7]

Market Overview - On February 11, the domestic lithium carbonate spot market saw a slight increase, with battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) settling at 142,500 yuan/ton, up 500 yuan from the previous working day. The price of battery-grade lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) remained stable at 140,000 yuan/ton, indicating a tight supply of spot resources [1][4]. - In the futures market, lithium carbonate futures prices surged, with the main contract closing at 150,260 yuan/ton, an increase of 12,640 yuan from the previous working day. The trading volume this week was significantly lower than last week, with warehouse receipts remaining at a high level [1]. Price Trends - The price changes for various lithium products from February 10 to February 11 are as follows: - Lithium concentrate: 1,930 yuan/ton (unchanged) - Battery-grade lithium carbonate: 142,500 yuan/ton (up 0.05%) - Lithium hydroxide: 140,000 yuan/ton (unchanged) - Lithium iron phosphate: 5,090 yuan/ton (up 0.01%) - Ternary materials: 20,250 yuan/ton (unchanged) - Prismatic energy storage cells (lithium iron phosphate): 375 yuan/unit (unchanged) [4]. Industry Insights - The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that in January 2026, the production and sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 1.041 million and 945,000 units, respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 2.5% and 0.1%. Additionally, new energy vehicle exports maintained rapid growth, with 302,000 units exported, a year-on-year increase of 100% [7]. - The recent rebound in lithium prices is seen as a correction following a previous 30% decline. Despite a reduction in production schedules for February, downstream users are actively replenishing inventory, leading to a gradual decrease in lithium carbonate market inventory, with particularly tight supplies of lithium hydroxide [8]. - A recent two-year sales agreement between Tianyi Lithium Industry and an Australian mine, with a minimum price of $1,000 (equivalent to 88,000 yuan for lithium carbonate), indicates a positive outlook for the lithium salt market, suggesting optimism from both supply and demand sides for the next two years [8]. - The industry believes that a lithium price around 150,000 yuan is acceptable for the entire supply chain. However, further increases will depend on energy storage companies' ability to absorb rising costs [9].

Market Overview - As of February 4, the domestic lithium carbonate market is stable, with the battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) spot settlement price at 151,500 CNY/ton, unchanged from the previous working day. There is an increase in downstream inquiries, and sellers are showing a reluctance to sell at lower prices [1] - The battery-grade lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) settlement price is also stable at 152,000 CNY/ton [1] - In the futures market, lithium carbonate futures prices have rebounded slightly, with the main contract closing at 147,220 CNY/ton, an increase of 1,920 CNY from the previous working day, and a slight recovery in open interest [1] ICC Lithium Battery Settlement Prices - As of February 4, the settlement prices for various lithium products are as follows: - Lithium concentrate: 2,030 CNY/ton - Battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%): 151,500 CNY/ton - Lithium hydroxide (56.5%): 152,000 CNY/ton - Lithium iron phosphate (power type): 5.24 CNY/kg - NCM materials: 20.65 CNY/kg - Prismatic energy storage cells (lithium iron phosphate): 0.375 CNY/Wh [2] Industry Focus - On February 3, Tianqi Lithium's board approved a proposal to selectively dispose of part of its equity in SQM, with a maximum of 3,565,970 shares (not exceeding 1.25% of SQM's total shares) [5] Company Insights - Current average price levels for energy storage cells suggest that second-tier companies can withstand lithium carbonate prices around 154,000 CNY [4] - Despite a general decline in lithium battery and cathode material production in February, this is largely within expectations. The reduction in lithium carbonate production is comparable to that of lithium iron phosphate, indicating that the tight balance in the market remains unchanged. Short-term upward momentum appears insufficient, while downward demand support is relatively strong. It is expected that lithium carbonate prices will continue to fluctuate between 140,000 and 160,000 CNY before the Spring Festival, with a focus on downstream companies' restocking after the holiday [6]

Market Changes - On January 30, the spot settlement guidance price for battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) was 158,500 CNY/ton, a decrease of 6,000 CNY from the previous working day, influenced by a continuous decline in market conditions, leading to increased selling enthusiasm among some traders, while major lithium salt manufacturers remain in a supply-demand imbalance [1] - The settlement guidance price for battery-grade lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) was 158,000 CNY/ton, down 3,000 CNY from the previous working day [1] - In the futures market, most contracts hit the limit down, with the main contract closing at 148,200 CNY/ton, a drop of 18,300 CNY from the previous working day, and a noticeable decrease in open interest [1] - The net short position for lithium carbonate main contracts decreased by 29.5%, indicating a weakening of short-term downward momentum [1] ICC Lithium Battery Settlement Prices - The prices for various lithium products on January 30 compared to January 29 are as follows: - Lithium concentrate: 2,170 CNY/ton, down 40 CNY - Battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%): 15.85 CNY/kg, down 0.6 CNY - Lithium hydroxide (56.5%): 15.8 CNY/kg, down 0.3 CNY - Lithium iron phosphate (power type): 5.36 CNY/kg, down 0.1 CNY - Ternary materials: 20.75 CNY/kg, down 0.2 CNY - Prismatic energy storage cells (lithium iron phosphate): 0.375 CNY/Wh, unchanged [2] Industry Focus - In Australia, the lithium ore shipment volume from Bunbury Port in January 2026 was 158,900 tons, representing a month-on-month increase of 58.58% and a year-on-year increase of 0.69% [5] Company Insights - The current average price level for energy storage cells indicates that second-tier companies can withstand lithium carbonate prices around 154,000 CNY [4] - The recent drop in lithium carbonate prices is attributed to the decline in precious metals and increased financial regulation, as well as the acceptance levels of downstream users. Rapid price increases have led to some energy storage projects being stalled, potentially affecting short-term project deliveries [6] - Looking ahead, various regions are gradually implementing energy storage capacity compensation policies, which are expected to raise the internal rate of return (IRR) conservatively by 1%-2%, with some areas seeing higher adjustments. The implementation of energy storage subsidy policies is likely to significantly influence the price trends of lithium carbonate in February and March [6]

Market Overview - As of January 28, the spot settlement price for battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) is 166,500 CNY/ton, unchanged from the previous working day, with transactions around 165,000 CNY being reported as acceptable [1] - The settlement price for battery-grade lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) is 162,000 CNY/ton, also unchanged from the previous working day [1] - In the futures market, the main contract closed at 166,280 CNY/ton, down 6,740 CNY from the previous working day, with an increase in net long position reductions [1] ICC Lithium Battery Settlement Prices - Lithium concentrate price is 2,210 CNY/ton, with a month-on-month average of 1,249 CNY [2] - Battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) is priced at 16.65 CNY, with a month-on-month average of 10.2 CNY [2] - Lithium hydroxide (56.5% coarse particles) is priced at 16.2 CNY, with a month-on-month average of 8.58 CNY [2] - Lithium iron phosphate (power type) is priced at 5.5 CNY, with a month-on-month average of 4.05 CNY [2] - NCM (811) material is priced at 20.95 CNY, with a month-on-month average of 16.76 CNY [2] - Prismatic energy storage cell (lithium iron phosphate) is priced at 0.365 CNY, with a month-on-month average of 0.307 CNY [2] Industry Focus - In South America, Rio Tinto's lithium equivalent production is projected to reach 57,000 tons by Q4 2025, with Fenix and Olaroz both achieving record quarterly production [5] - In Australia, Core Lithium holds approximately 5,000 tons of lithium concentrate and 75,000 tons of lithium powder in inventory, which are available for sale [5] - Core Lithium has reached an agreement with Tesla to terminate negotiations on a purchase agreement to support the future restart of the Finniss lithium project [5] Market Dynamics - The lithium carbonate market is experiencing intense competition, with significant attention on February's production scheduling as the month-end approaches [7] - Current insights indicate that downstream order conditions remain good for February, with most companies maintaining normal production during the Spring Festival, resulting in a 10% reduction in production due to natural days [7] - Lithium salt plants are also expected to maintain normal production during the Spring Festival, with limited impact on lithium carbonate output, leading to a tight balance in the overall lithium carbonate market [7] - The ability of lithium carbonate prices to break through in the short term will depend on the pace of pre-holiday inventory buildup by downstream users [7]