Declines in lithium carbonate prices extend to lithium metal

SHANGHAI, Sep 11 (SMM) – As downstream demand continued to weaken, declines in prices of lithium carbonate spread across the lithium metal market as of Tuesday September 11. 

Demand for battery-grade lithium metal from bike sharing services and electronic cigarette has decreased year on year.

As of September 11, SMM assessed prices of domestic battery-grade lithium (≥99% Li) at 870,000-890,000 yuan/mt, down an average 10,000 yuan/mt from September 10. Prices stayed flat from mid-August till September 10. 

Poor demand in the battery industry began to weigh on the lithium carbonate market at the end of last year. SMM assessed prices of domestic battery-grade 99.5% lithium carbonate at 82,000-86,000 yuan/mt as of September 11, down 3,000 yuan/mt from a week ago, and down over 80,000 yuan/mt from the end of 2017.