[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Held Steady on September 9]
The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index stood at 74,589 yuan/mt, up 94 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Battery-grade lithium carbonate traded at 73,700-75,500 yuan/mt, with an average price of 74,600 yuan/mt, flat from the prior session. Industrial-grade lithium carbonate ranged at 71,750-72,950 yuan/mt, averaging 72,350 yuan/mt, unchanged from the last trading day.
Demand side, the market remains in its peak season, sustaining just-in-time procurement by downstream players. However, WoW, procurement activity slowed slightly as futures prices rebounded. Supply side showed structural divergence: spodumene-sourced lithium carbonate accounted for over 60% of production, while lepidolite-derived output dropped to 15%. Overall, September saw synchronized supply and demand growth, but demand expanded faster, likely leading to temporary tightness in the month.

![[SMM Analysis] China's Spodumene Imports Hit a New High in March 2026, Reaching 837,400 Physical Tonnes](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/ipFFo20251217171725.jpg)

