This week saw price increases for salt products like cobalt sulfate and lithium carbonate, although lithium carbonate prices declined after prior gains, resulting in overall oscillating movements. Coefficients for nickel and cobalt in ternary (NCM/NCA) and lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) black mass remained largely flat, with the lithium coefficient experiencing a slight dip following the drop in lithium carbonate prices

Overall data analysis indicates stable underlying demand support in the energy storage sector by the end of July, bolstered by mid-year factors and various policies both domestically and internationally. Rising lithium carbonate prices have driven an increase in battery cell prices. Meanwhile, the surge in automotive sales stimulated by auto shows earlier in July gradually subsided, with the new energy vehicle market penetration rate stabilizing. Currently, terminal consumer demand lacks momentum, although some incremental growth is expected. Similar to the energy storage sector, rising prices for cathode materials driven by higher lithium carbonate costs have been passed on to power battery cells, resulting in a slight price increase. In terms of market transactions, activity remained subdued by the end of July. Some second-life battery manufacturers maintained minimal inventory, adhering to a procurement strategy based on immediate needs. Looking ahead to August, demand in both the power and energy storage markets has potential for further decline.

The chosen refinery site on Mission Island, previously home to a decommissioned power station, will have an annual output of 20,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide (LCE)—sufficient to power half a million EVs yearly.

In July 2025, the total monthly domestic production of lithium carbonate exceeded 80,000 mt for the first time, with a 4% MoM increase and a significant 26% YoY increase. The main drivers of production growth were the emergence of hedging opportunities in the futures market, prompting lithium chemical plants with previously low operating rates to gradually resume production, significantly boosting the industry's overall supply capacity. By raw material type:

In July, domestic iron phosphate production increased by 10% MoM and surged by 70% YoY.

[SMM Analysis: Cathode Material Production Increased MoM Across the Board in July; Stockpiling for Peak Season at Terminal End Expected Soon] SMM News on August 1: In July, the total monthly production of domestic lithium carbonate exceeded 80,000 mt for the first time, up 4% MoM and a significant increase of 26% YoY. The production of lithium hydroxide increased slightly MoM but decreased by 22% YoY. The production of cobalt sulphate decreased by 9.56% MoM but increased by 1.01% YoY. The production of Co3O4 pulled back slightly by 2% MoM but still achieved a significant increase of 25% YoY. The production of ternary cathode precursor showed a steady growth trend, increasing by 5.71% MoM and 5.52% YoY. The production of ternary cathode material continued to grow, increasing by 5.75% MoM and a significant increase of 16.65% YoY. The production of iron phosphate increased by 10% MoM and a substantial increase of 70% YoY. The production of LFP material increased by approximately 1.86% MoM and 36% YoY. The production of LCO showed a significant increase, increasing by 7% MoM and 30% YoY.

As of this Friday, at northern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 40.7-41.2 yuan/mtu, up 1.24% WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 34.9-35.4 yuan/mtu, up 2.93% WoW from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 39.8-40.6 yuan/mtu, up 2.03% WoW from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.5-30 yuan/mtu, up 0.68% WoW from last Friday; South African medium-iron ore was priced at 35.2-35.7 yuan/mtu, up 2.90% WoW from last Friday. At southern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 40.2-40.9 yuan/mtu, up 1.00% WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 35.5-36 yuan/mtu, up 4.38% WoW from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 40.3-40.8 yuan/mtu, up 2.53% WoW from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 30.4-30.9 yuan/mtu, up 2.34% WoW from last Friday; South African medium-iron ore was priced at 36.1-36.6 yuan/mtu, up 4.30% WoW from last Friday. Supply side, in the overseas market, Consolidated Minerals Limited (CML) announced its September 2025 offers to China, with Australian lump ore (Mn>46%, Fe<6%, SiO2<18%) priced at $4.57/mtu, up $0.07/mtu MoM from the previous month; Eramet Comilog announced its September 2025 offers for Gabonese ore shipments to China at $4.27/mtu (up $0.07/mtu). Coupled with tight South African ore supply and high market concentration, these factors jointly drove ore prices higher...

This week, prices of salt products such as cobalt sulphate and lithium carbonate rose. After an initial increase, the price of lithium carbonate fell, showing an overall oscillating trend. Meanwhile, the nickel and cobalt coefficients for products like ternary black mass and LCO black mass remained basically flat this week. In particular, the lithium coefficient dropped slightly after the decline in lithium carbonate prices. The prices per % lithium for LFP black mass remained basically flat.

[The price of LCO remained stable this week, and it is expected to have a significant upward potential in the future.]

[The Co3O4 market is sluggish, with quoted prices ranging from 210,000 to 213,000 yuan/mt]