[SMM Data] Operating Rate of Electrolyte Increased in September 2024

Cobalt and nickel price review and forecast

Lithium Salt Price Review & Forecast

On February 28th, SVOLT Energy held a production commencement ceremony in Thailand, announcing that the SVOLT Thailand factory has officially begun production and the products have started to be delivered in bulk. New energy vehicle models under the brands Great Wall and Hozon will soon be launched in Thailand. This production launch signifies that the SVOLT Thailand factory has achieved the localization of battery supply in Thailand at a rapid pace, within just five months, further improving SVOLT's new energy industrial layout in the Asia-Pacific region.

Phosphoric acid prices have been increased, leading to higher production costs for ferrous phosphate and wet-process phosphoric acid (PPA).

SMM expects more frequent liquidating transactions to appear in 2024, as the industry grapples with immediate financial pressures and companies push for more cost-efficient strategies.

Affected by the continued losses in lithium salt companies purchasing lithium ore externally, which triggered to production suspension or reduction, as well as the seasonal maintenance of some lithium salt companies, it is preliminarily estimated that China's lithium carbonate output in February will decline by about 23% month-on-month to around 32,000 mt.

Both Argentina and Australia communicated with foreign governments to seek lithium investors and partners. China is out of the loop but in the discussion.

SHANGHAI, Jun 2 (SMM) – According to customs data, China exported 45,000 mt of silicon metal in April, a month-on-month decrease of 7% and year-on-year decrease of 18%.

SHANGHAI, May 16 (SMM) – Customs data showed that China exported 2,940 mt of SiMn alloy in March, an increase of 21.63% month-on-month, but down 77.77% year-on-year.

China imported 129,000 mt of hydrometallurgical intermediate nickel products in March, an increase of 13% MoM, which is equivalent to 24,600 mt in Ni content, up 10% MoM. From January to March, a total of 318,900 mt of intermediate products were imported, which is equivalent to about 24,600 mt in Ni content (SMM data is calculated based on wet metric tonne, and the figure may be lower than the actual reading considering the import declaration differences).