[2019.07.18 minutes of internal morning meeting of cobalt lithium new energy] cobalt salt price bottom high premium smelting products close to it

Published: Jul 18, 2019 11:08

SMM July 18, 2010:

Battery Terminal Market:

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released the sixth batch of recommended models for new energy vehicles in 2019. Because the recommended catalogue is dominated by bus models, lithium iron phosphate batteries account for as much as 79%. At present, lithium iron phosphate battery is still mainly used in bus and special vehicle market because of its low cost and large capacity. In the future, there will also be more room for demand growth in the low-speed passenger car and energy storage market.

Upstream raw material price:

Cobalt: the price of cobalt salt bottomed out this week. The opening rate of large leading factories has not yet recovered, and some traders are optimistic that there is limited room for decline in the future market. Manufacturers sell at a low price, and the price of cobalt salt metal is at the bottom of about 170000 yuan. Foreign media cobalt prices continue to decline slightly, within a reasonable range with domestic cobalt prices, in addition, due to the decline in the price of cobalt salt raw materials, cobalt prices also fell sharply on Thursday, in line with SMM's previous high premium smelting products close to low-cost cobalt salt expectations.

Lithium: battery-grade lithium carbonate demand is not good, the market mentality is bearish, manufacturers are not active to pick up goods. For some cathode materials large plants batch long unit price, battery-grade lithium carbonate has reached 6.8-69000 yuan / ton. The price of industrial grade lithium carbonate with main content more than 99.2% (which can be directly used in lithium manganate) is relatively strong, stable at 6.2-65000 yuan / ton, but for industrial grade lithium carbonate with high impurity content or main content less than 99.2%, the price is about 60 000 yuan / ton, and has a further downward trend. Lithium hydroxide, battery-grade lithium hydroxide procurement demand is light, upstream manufacturers have appeared in order to return funds as soon as possible low-price throwing behavior, it is known that the lowest market quotation is 76000 yuan / ton.

 

SMM Cobalt Lithium Research team

Hong Lu 021 51666814

Ning Ziwei 021 51666780

Qin Jingjing 021 51666828

Long press attention

Learn more about the highlights

 

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[SMM Analysis] Korea’s Automotive Industry: 2030 Competitiveness Depends on EV Transition Execution
9 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Korea’s Automotive Industry: 2030 Competitiveness Depends on EV Transition Execution
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Korea’s Automotive Industry: 2030 Competitiveness Depends on EV Transition Execution
[SMM Analysis] Korea’s Automotive Industry: 2030 Competitiveness Depends on EV Transition Execution
Korea’s auto industry maintained solid exports and production in 2025, but its 2030 competitiveness will depend on EV transition execution. The domestic market has matured, while hybrids have become a defensive pillar. EV adoption remains below the government’s target, and U.S.-EU policy pressure and Chinese EV competition are reshaping export strategies. Future competitiveness will hinge on pricing, localization, battery sourcing, and charging and safety confidence.
9 hours ago
[MinRes Announces Restart of Bald Hill Lithium Mine]
10 hours ago
[MinRes Announces Restart of Bald Hill Lithium Mine]
Read More
[MinRes Announces Restart of Bald Hill Lithium Mine]
[MinRes Announces Restart of Bald Hill Lithium Mine]
Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) announced the restart of its wholly-owned Bald Hill lithium mine, citing sustained recovery in lithium prices. The mine was placed on care and maintenance in Nov 2024 to preserve 58.1Mt at 0.94% Li₂O.Located in Western Australia's Goldfields, Bald Hill has capacity of ~165,000 dmtpa of 5.1% spodumene concentrate (140,000 dmt SC6). Using existing inventory, equipment and workforce networks, MinRes can resume operations safely and quickly.Site activities ramp up in late May, crushing and mining start in June, first concentrate in July. First shipment from Port of Esperance expected Q1 FY27, full capacity Q2 FY27. Restart costs (incl. working capital) estimated at A$20m, incurred in Q4 FY26. FY27 guidance to be provided in August.
10 hours ago
EVE Energy signs battery supply agreement with India’s Godawari
11 hours ago
EVE Energy signs battery supply agreement with India’s Godawari
Read More
EVE Energy signs battery supply agreement with India’s Godawari
EVE Energy signs battery supply agreement with India’s Godawari
According to industry sources on May 16, EVE Energy recently said in a statement that it will supply Godawari with an initial 8 GWh of battery storage capacity, laying the groundwork to expand the volume to up to 60 GWh over the next five years. EVE Energy plans to supply its flagship 628 Ah large-capacity battery cells for the project.
11 hours ago