Codelco to Boost Copper, Lithium Output via Public-Private Partnerships

[SMM Lithium Battery Electrolyte Market Weekly Review: Electrolyte Prices Declined This Week (2026.4.13-4.16)] From April 13 to April 16, 2026, electrolyte prices declined. Future price trends will still need to focus on changes in upstream raw material prices.

The second-life application battery cell market operated in a mediocre manner overall this week, with no significant improvement in market conditions. Cost side, lithium carbonate prices rose, nickel sulphate edged up in tandem, and cobalt sulphate pulled back slightly. Under divergent raw material trends, overall cost support remained relatively stable. Supply side, battery cell enterprises maintained a steady shipments pace, with no notable increase or decrease in market supply. Demand side, structural differentiation was significant: energy storage remained the core driver, with tight supply of mainstream models such as 314Ah and 280Ah, but the price uptrend had clearly slowed down; B-grade battery cells, constrained by higher procurement standards and compliance requirements, struggled to enter the mainstream market, with prices remaining stable. The small power market was significantly impacted by the "Interim Measures for the Recovery and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles" implemented on April 1. The new regulation explicitly prohibits the use of waste power batteries in e-bike and other sectors, creating a temporary gap in previously applicable scenarios. Currently, stable prices in the small power sector were not supported by demand but mainly because lithium, nickel, and cobalt salt prices remained at elevated levels, leaving enterprises limited room for price concessions, with strong wait-and-see sentiment prevailing in the market.