Lithium Carbonate and Lithium Hydroxide Prices still in Downturn

Published: Jan 16, 2023 15:31 (GMT+8)

Source: SMM

Save

SHANGHAI, Jan 16 (SMM) - Lithium carbonate prices continued to fall last week.

SHANGHAI, Jan 16 (SMM) - Lithium carbonate prices continued to fall last week. After lowering their prices continuously, smelters began to take a wait-and-see stance and were not eager to sell at lower prices. Cathode active material (CAM) plants have suspended their purchases before the Chinese New Year (CNY) and expected lithium carbonate prices to go down further. Some CAM plants have already been closed for the CNY holiday. Some traders dumped their battery-grade lithium carbonate inventories, while others took the CNY break in advance. Lithium carbonate prices are forecast to stabilise or drop slightly this week amid scarce trades.

Lithium hydroxide prices fell further last week. The top-tier smelters still focused on exports. The domestic and overseas prices both declined amid faltering demand. The prices of top-tier smelters fell less sharply than those of second-tier ones. As CAM plants held back from buying amid bearish sentiment and lithium carbonate prices kept falling, lithium hydroxide prices declined steadily. Lithium hydroxide prices are likely to stabilise or drop slightly amid muted transactions in the last week before the CNY holiday.

Market Market

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 for 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

Oct 02, 2026 14:04 (GMT+8)

Third-Gen Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Enter India Market, Camera-Free Audio Model Teased

【Third-Gen Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Launch in India, Audio Model Teased for Market Entry】Meta announced that the third-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are now on sale in India, starting at INR 44,300, available through its official website, Ray-Ban India's official site, and local consumer electronics and eyewear retailers. The model offers up to 9 hours of battery life per charge — one hour more than its predecessor — along with a 12-megapixel camera supporting 3K ultra-HD video recording and a six-microphone array capable of eliminating over 90% of background noise, with 27 frame and lens combinations available. Meta also teased the upcoming India launch of the camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio, which weighs 43g and offers up to 12 hours of battery life per charge with an additional 48 hours via the charging case; pricing and launch date for India were not disclosed.

Oct 02, 2026 14:04 (GMT+8)

Oct 02, 2026 13:42 (GMT+8)

DRC to Launch Annual Audits on Subcontracting and Local Content Compliance at Major Miners

【DRC to Launch Annual Audits on Subcontracting and Local Content Compliance at Major Mining Companies】The DRC's Sous-traitance Privée regulatory authority stated that annual audits of subcontracting practices and local content compliance at large mining companies will commence from 2027. The country's new local content law takes effect on January 1, 2027, with sector-specific mining rules currently being drafted to include a mandatory three-year compliance program and penalty provisions. In 2025, 167 large enterprises declared subcontracting contracts totaling USD 3.7 billion, with 83% flowing to locally controlled companies, of which the mining sector alone accounted for USD 2.9 billion. The authority has already required certain copper-cobalt miners operating in the DRC to terminate non-compliant subcontracting arrangements, submit rectification plans, and expand procurement from local suppliers, with several Chinese and international major miners among those under scrutiny.

Oct 02, 2026 13:42 (GMT+8)

Oct 02, 2026 13:24 (GMT+8)

【US Battery Recycler Obtains Commerce Department Export License to Sell Recycled Black Mass】

【US Battery Recycler Obtains Commerce Department Export License to Sell Recycled Black Mass】American Battery Technology Company announced it has received a Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) license from the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, authorizing the sale of up to USD 100 million of recycled black mass containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite.

Oct 02, 2026 13:24 (GMT+8)