Lithium Carbonate Prices Rise Amid Tightening Supply and Boosted Downstream Demand

[SMM Daily Commentary: Lithium Carbonate Prices Rise on September 24]

The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price stood at 73,639 yuan/ton, up 288 yuan/ton from the previous working day; the price range for battery-grade lithium carbonate was 73,200-75,200 yuan/ton, with an average price of 74,200 yuan/ton, an increase of 200 yuan/ton from the previous working day; industrial-grade lithium carbonate ranged from 69,900 to 70,200 yuan/ton, averaging 70,050 yuan/ton, also up 200 yuan/ton from the previous working day. Downstream material factories are still in the pre-National Day inventory replenishment cycle, coupled with the expectation of reduced customer supply volumes for some material factories, leading to an improvement in purchasing demand. Driven by the positive sentiment of downstream purchasing, upstream lithium salt factories slightly raised their quotes. Consequently, the transaction price center of the lithium carbonate spot market shifted upwards, and actual trading activities also increased significantly. Given the current situation of reduced supply and increased demand, and considering that lithium carbonate inventory levels are still high, it is expected that lithium carbonate spot prices will fluctuate within a range.