SMM12, April 4: with the development of ternary cathode materials this year, downstream manufacturers have gradually produced more detailed and specific requirements and standards for battery grade lithium hydroxide, one of the upstream raw materials. At present, most of the industry's understanding of the classification of battery-grade lithium hydroxide is concentrated in two categories: "battery-grade coarse particles" and "battery-grade fine powder grade". According to SMM research, in addition, micro-powder lithium hydroxide is still different according to the requirements of downstream applications.
Micro-powder lithium hydroxide is currently used in ternary material NCM622 and ternary material NCM811, accounting for about 50% each. Different from the particle size difference of coarse particle lithium hydroxide and fine powder lithium hydroxide, the particle size difference of micronized lithium hydroxide used on NCM 622 and NCM 811 is not the key to determine its performance difference, but the difference of carbonate content. We understand that the particle size of micro-powder lithium hydroxide is very small and the specific surface area is large, so it is easy to react with carbon dioxide in the air and carbonize.
Because the micro-powder lithium hydroxide will be doped with lithium carbonate and then used in NCM 622 cathode materials according to the needs of manufacturers, the standard of carbonate content in this kind of micro-powder lithium hydroxide is lower. The content of carbonate in micronized lithium hydroxide used in NCM 811 cathode material should not exceed 0.35%. Therefore, in the process of production and crushing of micronized lithium hydroxide, it is necessary to strictly control the process in order to avoid the carbonate content exceeding the standard, which is also the key reason for the high price of micronized lithium hydroxide used in NCM 811 cathode materials. According to SMM inquiry, the price difference between the price of micronized lithium hydroxide used in NCM 622 cathode material and that of micronized lithium hydroxide used in NCM 811 cathode material can reach nearly 10 000 yuan / ton.
SMM investigation shows that at present, most of the ternary material manufacturers purchase micronized lithium hydroxide for NCM 622 cathode materials, while the number of manufacturers purchasing micronized lithium hydroxide for NCM 811 cathode materials is very limited. Taking into account the scope of the price sample and the accuracy of the price, the current price of micronized lithium hydroxide quoted by SMM is the transaction price used in NCM 622 cathode materials.
SMM Cobalt Lithium Research team
Hu Yan 021 51666809
Hong Lu 021 51666814
Ning Ziwei 021 51666780
