China proposes export ban on battery cathode and lithium processing technology — here are the specifics

On January 2, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a file titled “Notice on Adjustments to the Public Consultation for the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Exporting from China.” The notice mentions the potential implementation of export restrictions on battery and lithium processing related technologies. The deadline for feedback submission is February 1, 2025.

The specifics of the proposed technologies are as follows:

Section (II) Chemical Raw Materials and Chemical Product Manufacturing Industry

Battery Cathode Material Preparation Technologies - Key Control Points:

1. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery material preparation technology meeting the following criteria:

Chemical Formula: Li_xFe_yM_zPO₄ where x,y,z ≥ 0 and M represents one or multiple elements excluding lithium (Li) and iron (Fe).

Material Characteristics:

Powder compact density ≥ 2.58 g/cm³ under 300 MPa.

Reversible capacity ≥ 160 mAh/g at 0.1C.

Initial Coulombic efficiency ≥ 97%.

2. Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) battery material preparation technology meeting the following criteria:

Chemical Formula: Li_xFe_yMn_zM_aPO₄, where x,y,z,a≥0 represents one or multiple elements excluding lithium (Li), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn).

Material Characteristics:

Powder compact density ≥ 2.38 g/cm³ under 300 MPa.

Initial Coulombic efficiency ≥ 90%.

Reversible capacity ≥ 155 mAh/g at 0.1C, with an average operating voltage ≥ 3.85 V.

Capacity retention rates: ≥ 97% at 1C discharge and ≥ 95% at 2C discharge.

3. Phosphate-Based Cathode Precursor Preparation Technology
Includes the production of iron phosphate, manganese iron phosphate, battery-grade ferrous oxalate, and battery-grade lithium phosphate dihydrogen. Iron phosphate must meet the following:

Tap density > 2.1 g/cm³.

Magnetic impurities < 10 ppb.

Section (III) Non-Ferrous Metal Smelting and Rolling Industry

1. Modification to Non-Ferrous Metallurgical Technology

Updated to include the extraction of gallium from alumina mother liquor using methods such as ion exchange techniques.

2. New Additions to Non-Ferrous Metallurgical Technology

Spodumene-Based Lithium Extraction for Lithium Carbonate Production:

Techniques for producing lithium carbonate from purified lithium solutions.

Thermal decomposition and carbonization refinement.

Mother liquor recycling technology.

Automated continuous production control systems.

Lithium hydroxide carbonization process.

Spodumene-Based Lithium Extraction for Lithium Hydroxide Production:

Techniques for producing lithium hydroxide from purified lithium solutions.

Sodium separation via cryogenic crystallization.

Evaporation crystallization technology.

Automated continuous production control systems.

Pulverizing and drying technology.

Metallic Lithium and Lithium Alloy Preparation Technology:

Multi-anode electrolysis technology.

Distillation and purification processes for metallic lithium.

Rolling and processing technology for metallic lithium and lithium alloys.

Direct Lithium Extraction from Brines:

Synthesis of adsorbent materials (aluminum-based, titanium-based, manganese-based).

Integration of adsorption and membrane systems using PID-controlled processes.

Preparation of Purified Lithium Solutions:

Impurity removal using ion exchange techniques.

Removal of impurities like boron, calcium, potassium, sodium, and sulfur.

Membrane separation and electrodialysis for impurity removal.

Author: Hongqiu Su | Battery Metals Analyst Associate | London Office, Shanghai Metals Market

Email: lilysu@smm.cn