[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Decline on September 5]
The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index stood at 74,655 yuan/mt, down 214 yuan/mt from the previous trading day. Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices ranged between 73,500-76,000 yuan/mt, with an average of 74,750 yuan/mt, down 250 yuan/mt MoM. Industrial-grade lithium carbonate prices were at 71,900-73,100 yuan/mt, averaging 72,500 yuan/mt, down 200 yuan/mt MoM.
Today, lithium carbonate futures extended their rebound, while downstream fixed-price transactions and trading activity declined, resulting in overall sluggish market turnover. With the arrival of the traditional September-October peak season, downstream material plants slightly extended their inventory cycles. Supply-side structural divergence emerged: spodumene-derived lithium carbonate accounted for over 60% of production, while lepidolite-derived lithium carbonate dropped to 15%. Overall, September's market showed simultaneous supply and demand growth, but demand expanded faster, leading to expectations of a temporary supply tightness during the month.