[SMM Daily Review: Lithium Carbonate Prices Stable on February 2]

On March 13th, lithium carbonate futures rose by 0.38% to 118,800 yuan/ton, with spot prices reaching 111,000 yuan/ton, signaling a market in cautious optimism.

On March 11th, lithium carbonate futures surged 3.28% to 116,400 yuan/ton, and spot prices rose to an average of 109,250 yuan/ton, amidst cautious market optimism.

On March 8th, lithium carbonate futures fell by 0.70% to 113,350 yuan/ton, while spot prices slightly increased to an average of 108,900 yuan/ton, amid ongoing market adjustments.

【SMM Cobalt-Lithium Morning Meeting Summary: Lithium Carbonate Prices Rose Overall on Monday. On the supply side, some lithium salt companies were still in the early stages of resuming production after maintenance, resulting in relatively limited supplies available for spot sales beyond long-term contract orders. Some lithium salt companies have intentions for subsequent deliveries, but overall, lithium salt companies continue to sell long-term contract orders while pricing spot orders firmly. Their spot prices continue to rise. However, downstream companies like cathode material producers have given feedback that due to the recent continuous increase in lithium carbonate prices, while the pricing transmission of their products lags behind the lithium carbonate price hikes, the current pricing transmission situation makes it difficult to fully pass on the increased raw material costs to downstream customers, gradually squeezing production profits...】

【Hive Energy Thailand Battery Plant Put Into Production, Will Deliver Over 20,000 Sets of PACK Battery Packs This Year】On February 28, Hive Energy Thailand plant was officially put into production, with products starting to be delivered in batches, which will soon be equipped on various new energy vehicle models under Great Wall Motors and EXEED in the Thailand market.

SMM Analysis presents a detailed cost breakdown of 280Ah lithium iron phosphate energy storage cells, showing a stable cost trend and an industry shift towards higher capacity 300Ah+ cells for cost efficiency.

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In a groundbreaking shift, SNE Research forecasts China's sodium-ion batteries to enter mass production by 2025, targeting two-wheelers, small EVs, and energy storage. By 2035, their cost is expected to undercut lithium iron phosphate batteries by 11% to 24%, creating a colossal $14 billion annual market. Characterized by lower energy density but higher electrochemical stability and cold resistance, sodium-ion batteries promise a complementary role alongside lithium batteries, fueling the new energy sector's growth. Amidst soaring lithium prices, this resurgence marks a pivotal turn, with China poised to lead the charge in revolutionizing the global energy storage landscape.

Scrutiny Intensifies: U.S. House Committees Probe Ford's Michigan Plant Over Concerns Linked to Chinese Partnerships

【Lithium prices continue to plummet, lithium mining giant Albemarle plans layoffs and suspends expansion】