Lithium Battery Recycling Cost Kept Rising Recently

SHANGHAI, Sep 1 (SMM) - The lithium battery recycling cost has been rising recently. The coefficient of ternary battery pole piece (powder) was about 210-220% subject to the content. The prices of LFP battery scrap has also risen to nearly 22,000-23,000 yuan/mt amid booming lithium carbonate pries. The high prices have kept the gross profit of recyclers at an extremely low level. As such, there were few quotes of cobalt sulphate in the market recently, and the sellers would sell when the prices rise amid a bullish sentiment.

Recently, the prices of LCO have been relatively stable, with prices falling into the range of 420,000-430,000 yuan/mt. The actual transaction price has also risen significantly compared with the beginning of August. Rising prices of Co₃O₄ and lithium carbonate have fuelled the quotes of LCO. In addition, the demand has also picked up stimulated by the sentiment side. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether the fundamentals of LCO have improved.

Co₃O₄ prices were on the rise to 235,000-245,000 yuan/mt at present. Both inquiries and transactions have climbed with downstream cathode material manufacturers scheduling the production around the end of August and when the Co₃O₄ prices have been rising. Nonetheless, some market players are bullish about cobalt products prices, while some are bearish mainly in light of less-than-expected demand recovery at the electronics market.