[SMM Weekly Review] This week, the price of lithium carbonate fluctuated upward, with the market facing numerous challenges

Published: May 15, 2025 17:03

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This week, the lithium carbonate market has shown a certain fluctuating upward trend, but the overall market still faces numerous challenges. The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price rose from 64,808 yuan/mt to 65,061 yuan/mt, with a cumulative increase of 253 yuan/mt. The average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate increased from 64,600 yuan/mt to 64,800 yuan/mt, with a cumulative increase of 200 yuan/mt. The average price of industrial-grade lithium carbonate rose from 62,950 yuan/mt to 63,150 yuan/mt, also with a cumulative increase of 200 yuan/mt. The price center of spot lithium carbonate transaction prices has shown a slight upward fluctuation.

From the perspective of market transactions, the purchase willingness of downstream enterprises has been relatively weak, and the overall demand has been mainly met through customer-supplied and long-term agreement supplies. Under the pressure of cost losses, upstream lithium chemical plants have shown a strong sentiment to stand firm on quotes. Currently, there are only some transactions between traders and downstream enterprises. The latest US tariff policy on China, within the 90-day tariff exemption period, may prompt a rush in exports of Chinese ESS battery cells, thereby driving up the demand for lithium carbonate. However, considering the relatively high cumulative inventory levels of lithium carbonate and the continuous decline in ore prices to new lows, cost support has continued to weaken, resulting in a fluctuating trend of lithium carbonate prices at lows, with a greater likelihood of falling than rising.

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.

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