[SMM Annual Summit] Battery Market Is Likely to See Long-Term Raw Material Shortage in 2022-2024, What Are the Causes?

Published: Nov 17, 2021 11:16
The new production capacity of lithium resources will be put into operation intensively after 2022-2023, and the production may be lower than expected. It is expected that there will still be a supply shortage of 24,000 mt LCE in 2022.

SHANGHAI, Nov 17 (SMM) - The new production capacity of lithium resources will be put into operation intensively after 2022-2023, and the production may be lower than expected. It is expected that there will still be a supply shortage of 24,000 mt LCE in 2022.

The upstream chemical industries such as VC and phosphoric acid is under great pressure of environmental impact assessment, and the review period of new projects is long. The supply is expected to remain tight.

The separator supply is expected to be short in 2022 due to the limited equipment capacity, while the capacity of lithium hexafluorophosphate will be put into production intensively in 2022 as the technical threshold is high and most capacities belongs to the leading enterprises.

The dual control of energy consumption has been implemented across the country in H2 2021. The enterprises with high energy consumption and pollution have suspended production, and the production of lithium battery materials has been restricted.

China is highly dependent on the overseas lithium and cobalt raw materials. The raw material supply will be more unstable in the future due to COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitics.

The limited resources, environmental protection restrictions, technical bottleneck, power rationing, and geographic politics will cause the shortage of battery raw materials.

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
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
20 hours ago
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
Read More
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
According to the latest data from the Passenger Car Association, in December 2025, producers with new energy wholesale sales exceeding 10,000 units accounted for 93% of the total wholesale sales of passenger NEVs that month. Based on preliminary January data, these producers achieved sales of 830,000 units in January. As most producers have already locked in their major sales figures, by applying the structural proportion from the previous month to the current month's data, the estimated wholesale sales of passenger NEVs nationwide in January were 900,000 units. According to comprehensive preliminary monthly association data: the estimated wholesale sales of NEVs by national passenger car producers in January 2026 were 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
20 hours ago
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
20 hours ago
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
Read More
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
据中国汽车工业协会整理的海关总署数据显示,2025年12月,汽车整车进口3.0万辆,环比下降30.4%,同比下降56.1%;进口金额14.7亿美元,环比下降23.6%,同比下降52.5%。2025年,汽车整车进口47.6万辆,同比下降32.4%;进口金额236.4亿美元,同比下降39.7%。
20 hours ago
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
20 hours ago
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
Read More
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
According to CCTV News, on February 5, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new electric vehicle strategy, including the reinstatement of car purchase subsidies, and stated that Canada will cooperate with China to promote the local production and export of EVs in Canada. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office of Canada, the country will make full use of existing and newly established trade agreements, including a recently reached EV cooperation agreement with China, to facilitate large-scale investment in this sector, diversify Canada’s automotive export markets, and position Canada as one of the global leaders in the electric vehicle industry.
20 hours ago