According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in July 2025, fruit shell charcoal imports amounted to 11,092.3 mt, down 3% MoM and 31% YoY. The average import price of fruit shell charcoal in June was $653.97/mt. In May, the average import price was $652.95/mt, with the average import price remaining flat MoM but still at a historically high level.

China imported 750,000 tonnes of spodumene in July, up 30.4% month-on-month—equivalent to roughly 67,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate (LCE).

China’s lithium hydroxide exports plunged to 1,248 tonnes in July.

August 22: Northern ports: Australian lumps 40.3-40.8 yuan/mtu, down 0.98% WoW; South African semi-carbonate 34.6-35.1 yuan/mtu, down 0.85% WoW; Gabonese 39.1-39.9 yuan/mtu, down 1.74% WoW; South African high iron 29.4-29.9 yuan/mtu, down 0.34% WoW; South African medium iron 35.1-35.6 yuan/mtu, down 0.28% WoW. Southern ports: Australian lumps 39.8-40.5 yuan/mtu, down 0.99% WoW; South African semi-carbonate 36.5-37 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; Gabonese 39.6-40.1 yuan/mtu, down 1.73% WoW; South African high iron 30.5-31 yuan/mtu, down 0.32% WoW; South African medium iron 36.5-37.2 yuan/mtu, down 0.27% WoW. Overall, this week, the downstream SiMn market sentiment was negative, with lower manganese ore inquiry activity compared to last week, and a growing tendency to drive down purchasing prices, leading to a decline in ore prices.

According to Xinhua News Agency, this innovation delivers a two- to threefold improvement in energy density and endurance compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The report notes that this breakthrough comes at a time when demand for high-capacity, long-lasting batteries is surging across sectors such as electric vehicles, consumer electronics, robotics, and the low-altitude economy. Although energy density is crucial, enhancing it has remained technically challenging.

According to Xinhua News Agency, this innovation increases the energy density and driving range of traditional lithium-ion batteries by 2 to 3 times. The report notes that this breakthrough comes at a time when there is a surge in demand for high-capacity, long-range batteries in fields such as EVs, consumer electronics, robotics, and the low-altitude economy. While energy density is crucial, its improvement has always faced technical challenges.

[Citi Raises 0-3 Month Price Target for China's Lithium Carbonate from $7,000/mt to $11,000/mt]