[2020.05.11 Summary of Internal Morning meeting of Cobalt and Lithium New Energy] domestic power demand recovers slowly or increases industrial carbon production

Published: May 11, 2020 09:50

SMM, 11 May:

Battery end Market:

In the power market, production of new energy vehicles was 73000 in April, down 31.4% from a year earlier and up 40.8% from a month earlier, according to the SMM new energy database. Among them, the output of new energy passenger vehicles is 65000, accounting for 89.5%, the output of new energy buses is 2800, accounting for 3.9%, and the output of new energy special vehicles is 4800, accounting for 6.6%. Tesla production grew gradually in April and is nearing full production, while BYD production fell slightly from March and is now in second place. In addition, a number of car companies in April production increased month-on-month, such as Weimar, Weilai, Chery, ideal and other new power car companies, joint ventures FAW Volkswagen, brilliance BMW. However, BAIC's new energy production and sales fell significantly in April compared with the previous month, which was also caused by its own car and battery quality problems in addition to the fierce market competition.

The number of power batteries installed in April was 3.6 GWH, down 33.3% from a year earlier and up 30.3% from the previous month. Among them, the installed capacity of ternary battery is 2.6GWhT, accounting for 73.2%, and that of lithium iron phosphate battery is 0.9GWha, accounting for 25.8%. In April, the proportion of iron-lithium installed capacity increased, and the output of special purpose vehicles and the proportion of iron-lithium supporting increased.

Upstream raw material prices:

Cobalt: the departure of cobalt raw materials from South Africa may affect the start-up adjustment of some smelters. At present, a small amount of cobalt sulfate transaction, the price is strong, and there is an upward trend, but the downstream acceptance is not high; cobalt chloride, cobalt oxide orders sporadic, price stalemate, this week may have new orders to close.

Lithium: the domestic lithium salt demand weak supply increases, the lithium carbonate transaction price continues to decline, the current battery grade lithium carbonate market has appeared about 42000 yuan / ton quotation, some purification enterprise quotation is slightly lower than this price; industrial grade lithium carbonate market has appeared 33000 yuan / ton quotation. Considering that the downstream application of electric carbon is mainly the current dismal demand of the ternary power market, in order to ship, some large plants plan to gradually shift to the production of industrial grade lithium carbonate (or quasi-battery grade lithium carbonate).

Cathode materials and precursors: ternary materials and precursors, due to post-node downstream demand is not up, downstream customer inquiry is too much, trading volume sporadic, upstream raw material prices are maintained, ternary prices are still low. Most of the end customers of lithium manganate enterprises rely on overseas markets, especially the Indian market. Affected by the epidemic, exports are difficult to recover in the short term. In addition, the price of lithium manganate has fallen slightly upstream, and the price of lithium manganate is under serious pressure.

Nickel: affected by the strong price of electrolytic nickel, the current market price of nickel sulfate also remains high. As the current market prices of ternary materials and precursors are still on the low side, demanders continue to depress prices but have little effect. As a result of the recent downstream market has completed the procurement of raw materials, producers high prices, nickel sulfate prices will remain stable in the short term.

News:

1. [Zhejiang Wanyou Power was filed for bankruptcy liquidation] on May 9, the people's Court of South Taihu New District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province issued a notice on accepting the bankruptcy liquidation of Zhejiang Baoyou Power system Co., Ltd. According to the announcement, according to the application of the creditor Huzhou Jinyuan Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., it was ruled on April 13, 2020 to accept the bankruptcy liquidation case of the debtor Zhejiang Hongyou Power system Co., Ltd., the creditor should declare his claims to the manager of Zhejiang Anyou Power system Co., Ltd before August 7, 2020. Fanyou Power was established in November 2016. at present, there are two major battery production bases in Huzhou and Zhaoqing, with a capacity of 5GWhH in 2019 and is expected to reach 8GWh in 2020.

According to reports, Yabao revealed last Thursday that it was considering a possible acquisition of all or part of Tianqi's cobalt stake in the Greenbush (Greeenbushes) mine in Western Australia, which has the world's largest reserves of lithium hard salt. According to the first quarter, Kent Masters, head of lithium mining at Yabo, said the company was interested in Tianqi Lithium's stake in Green Bush. Masters added that Yabo, one of the world's most important battery makers, will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

3. [BYD New Energy monthly sales of 12995 vehicles] according to statistics, BYD sold a total of 12995 new energy vehicles in April this year, down 45.9 percent from the same period last year. Between January and April 2020, BYD sold 35187 new energy vehicles, down 63.79 per cent from a year earlier.

 

SMM Battery Materials Research team

Lin Fangwen 021-51666678

Qin Jingjing 021 Murray 51666828

Mei Wang Qin 021 Mui 51666759

Huo Yuan 021-51666898

Wu Yang 021 51666818

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
Silicon Metal Market Review for January and Outlook for February
20 hours ago
Silicon Metal Market Review for January and Outlook for February
Read More
Silicon Metal Market Review for January and Outlook for February
Silicon Metal Market Review for January and Outlook for February
In January, the silicon metal market experienced a relatively loose supply-demand balance, with a theoretical inventory buildup of approximately 30,000 mt. In February, both supply and demand contracted simultaneously, and the market is expected to show a tight balance or minor destocking. The current high industry inventory still requires time to be digested, and the sustainability of destocking remains a key variable affecting price trends and market sentiment.
20 hours ago
A plant in northern China is calling for bids for indium ingots and bismuth ingots
Feb 6, 2026 15:36
A plant in northern China is calling for bids for indium ingots and bismuth ingots
Read More
A plant in northern China is calling for bids for indium ingots and bismuth ingots
A plant in northern China is calling for bids for indium ingots and bismuth ingots
SMM, February 6 - According to SMM’s investigation of market information, a large smelter in northern China began public bidding for a certain quantity of indium ingots and bismuth ingots starting yesterday. Market sources indicate that the starting price for these indium ingots exceeds 4,000 yuan per kilogram, while the starting price for bismuth ingots is above 150,000 yuan per ton. The bidding results are expected to be announced before the Spring Festival. Market participants note that, given the clear trend of sluggish trading activity ahead of the Spring Festival, the timing of this bidding is not ideal. However, the relatively favorable starting prices have generated considerable market anticipation for the outcome of the bidding.
Feb 6, 2026 15:36
[SMM Analysis] Futures Lack Momentum to Rise Further, Pre-Holiday Demand Stalls, and Stainless Steel Social Inventory Accumulation Intensifies
Feb 5, 2026 19:18
[SMM Analysis] Futures Lack Momentum to Rise Further, Pre-Holiday Demand Stalls, and Stainless Steel Social Inventory Accumulation Intensifies
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Futures Lack Momentum to Rise Further, Pre-Holiday Demand Stalls, and Stainless Steel Social Inventory Accumulation Intensifies
[SMM Analysis] Futures Lack Momentum to Rise Further, Pre-Holiday Demand Stalls, and Stainless Steel Social Inventory Accumulation Intensifies
Feb 5, 2026 19:18