SMM Daily Review: Spot lithium carbonate prices drifted lower on September 11

[Solid-State Battery: Nine Departments' 15th Five-Year Plan Incorporates Automotive Solid-State Batteries into Specialised Standards System, Accelerating Supply of Cutting-Edge Technology Standards] On 9 September 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and eight other departments issued the 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry (MIIT Joint Regulation Letter [2026] No. 305). In the task of "continuously improving the standards system," the Plan specifies the ongoing establishment and refinement of specialised standards systems for automotive chips, automotive software, automotive artificial intelligence, automotive solid-state batteries, and low-carbon development of automobiles. In the task of "accelerating the supply of cutting-edge cross-disciplinary standards," it further proposes accelerating the formulation of frontier technology standards for automotive artificial intelligence, cockpit-driving integration, solid-state batteries, distributed electric drive, fully active suspension, integrated driving units, and chassis fusion control. The Plan does not establish a separate special clause for the industrialisation of solid-state batteries; the relevant arrangements primarily focus on standards taking the lead, providing regulatory support for subsequent technological breakthroughs and large-scale application.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and eight other departments jointly issued the 15th Five-Year plan for intelligent connected NEVs. By 2030, NEV passenger cars and commercial vehicles are targeted to reach 70% and 40% of new vehicle sales in their segments, with autonomous driving at scale and average EV energy consumption around 11.5 kWh per 100 km. The plan outlines 17 key tasks across five areas, including coordinated mining and recycling of lithium, cobalt and nickel resources, standards for vehicle solid-state batteries, wider use of electric heavy-duty trucks in trunk logistics, and a carbon peak in the auto industry before 2030.

This week, the industry chain continued to diverge. On the lithium side, lithium carbonate drifted lower, but downstream stockpiling willingness near 140,000 yuan/mt remained strong, providing support for prices. Lithium ore pulled back accordingly, though overseas supply disruptions and mines holding prices firm kept ore prices relatively resilient. Lithium hydroxide was affected by reduced ternary orders, with transactions remaining weak. The materials segment was under pressure overall, with ternary cathode precursors, ternary cathode materials, and LCO continuing to weaken due to raw material pullbacks and insufficient end-use demand. China production schedules declined somewhat, while overseas high-nickel orders remained relatively good. LFP demand stayed robust, with production and sales holding at high levels. Iron phosphate orders increased, and prices edged up. Anode prices were broadly stable, with artificial graphite still having upside room supported by peak-season production schedules and cost support. High-end separator specifications saw tight supply-demand, with expectations of future price increases. Electrolyte cost support strengthened, with short-term stability for now. Sodium-ion batteries remained constrained by insufficient effective anode and cathode capacity, while the recycling market continued to remain under pressure amid raw material price fluctuations.