[ SMM Weekly Review ] The cobalt sulphate market cooled slightly this week, and trading volume decreased compared to last week.

Published: Dec 18, 2025 17:46
This week, the cobalt sulphate market cooled slightly, with trading volume decreasing compared to last week. Supply side, smelters continued to hold prices firm: MHP and scrap-derived cobalt sulphate were quoted at 91,000-92,000 yuan/mt, while intermediate products were quoted at 95,000 yuan/mt. Demand side, downstream inquiries decreased, with only essential restocking maintained. The main reasons were twofold: first, after several weeks of continuous stockpiling, many enterprises had completed their stockpiling targets; second, as it was the financial reporting season, enterprises were managing their capital and inventory for financial statement purposes, showing weaker willingness for additional stockpiling beyond essential needs. Overall, the cobalt sulphate market price is expected to maintain a fluctuating trend within December, with prices likely to return to an upward trend after January as downstream enterprises resume their next round of procurement.

The cobalt sulphate market cooled slightly this week, with trading volume decreasing compared to last week. Supply side, smelters continued to hold prices firm: quotations for MHP and recycled cobalt sulphate maintained at 91,000–92,000 yuan/mt, while intermediate product quotations held at 95,000 yuan/mt. Demand side, downstream inquiries decreased, with only rigid demand restocking maintained. Two main reasons contributed: first, after continuous stockpiling in previous weeks, many enterprises had completed their stockpiling targets; second, as it is currently the financial reporting season, enterprises need to control their capital and inventory for financial reporting purposes, resulting in relatively weak willingness for additional stockpiling beyond rigid demand restocking. Overall, the cobalt sulphate market price is expected to maintain a fluctuating trend within December, and after January, as downstream enterprises restart the next round of procurement, prices are expected to return to an upward trajectory.


SMM New Energy Research Team

Cong Wang 021-51666838

Rui Ma 021-51595780

Disheng Feng 021-51666714

Yanlin Lü 021-20707875

Wenhao Xiao 021-51666872

Haohan Zhang 021-51666752

Zihan Wang 021-51666914

Jie Wang 021-51595902

Yang Xu 021-51666760

Lianting Yang 021-51595835

Zhaoyu Wang 021-51666827

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.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
19 hours ago
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
Read More
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
In January, national passenger car producers' new energy wholesale estimates reached 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
According to the latest data from the Passenger Car Association, in December 2025, producers with new energy wholesale sales exceeding 10,000 units accounted for 93% of the total wholesale sales of passenger NEVs that month. Based on preliminary January data, these producers achieved sales of 830,000 units in January. As most producers have already locked in their major sales figures, by applying the structural proportion from the previous month to the current month's data, the estimated wholesale sales of passenger NEVs nationwide in January were 900,000 units. According to comprehensive preliminary monthly association data: the estimated wholesale sales of NEVs by national passenger car producers in January 2026 were 900,000 units, up 1% YoY.
19 hours ago
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
19 hours ago
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
Read More
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
CAAM: In 2025, 476,000 complete vehicles were imported, down 32.4% YoY.
据中国汽车工业协会整理的海关总署数据显示,2025年12月,汽车整车进口3.0万辆,环比下降30.4%,同比下降56.1%;进口金额14.7亿美元,环比下降23.6%,同比下降52.5%。2025年,汽车整车进口47.6万辆,同比下降32.4%;进口金额236.4亿美元,同比下降39.7%。
19 hours ago
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
19 hours ago
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
Read More
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
Canada Announces New EV Strategy, to Collaborate with China
According to CCTV News, on February 5, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new electric vehicle strategy, including the reinstatement of car purchase subsidies, and stated that Canada will cooperate with China to promote the local production and export of EVs in Canada. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office of Canada, the country will make full use of existing and newly established trade agreements, including a recently reached EV cooperation agreement with China, to facilitate large-scale investment in this sector, diversify Canada’s automotive export markets, and position Canada as one of the global leaders in the electric vehicle industry.
19 hours ago