SMM Daily Review: January 28 Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Decline

Published: Jan 28, 2026 15:35
[SMM Daily Review: January 28 Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Continued to Decline]
The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index stood at 170,455 yuan/mt, down 970 yuan/mt from the previous working day. SMM Battery-grade lithium carbonate was quoted at 167,000-177,000 yuan/mt, with an average price of 172,000 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt from the previous working day. SMM Industrial-grade lithium carbonate was quoted at 164,000-173,000 yuan/mt, averaging 168,500 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt from the previous working day.

Today, the most-traded lithium carbonate futures contract showed a volatile decline. After opening, the price hovered near 180,000 yuan/mt before quickly turning sharply lower, fluctuating between 164,000 yuan/mt and 182,900 yuan/mt. In terms of trading activity, upstream spot order willingness to sell improved in the morning, but as prices fell rapidly, some lithium chemical plants showed reluctance to sell. Downstream material plants, however, increased their purchase willingness at relatively low prices, mainly making just-in-time procurement and stockpiling for February. Overall market inquiries and transactions were relatively active.

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
 [SMM Analysis] The arrival volume of spodumene in January 2026 reached a record high   then declined in February.
1 hour ago
[SMM Analysis] The arrival volume of spodumene in January 2026 reached a record high then declined in February.
Read More
 [SMM Analysis] The arrival volume of spodumene in January 2026 reached a record high   then declined in February.
[SMM Analysis] The arrival volume of spodumene in January 2026 reached a record high then declined in February.
1 hour ago
Guangdong's First Standalone ESS Project Linked to Offshore Wind Grid
Mar 20, 2026 19:18
Guangdong's First Standalone ESS Project Linked to Offshore Wind Grid
Read More
Guangdong's First Standalone ESS Project Linked to Offshore Wind Grid
Guangdong's First Standalone ESS Project Linked to Offshore Wind Grid
On March 14, the Zhanjiang Xuwen 200 MW/400 MWh standalone shared ESS power station project, built by Energy China Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute under the integrated “research-industry-investment-construction-operation” model, was successfully connected to the grid, becoming Guangdong Province’s first standalone energy storage project connected to a large-scale offshore wind power grid connection point. The project adopts advanced grid-forming technology and a fully liquid-cooled cascaded LFP ESS, featuring millisecond-level rapid response, high safety, and a cycle life of more than 6,000 cycles, effectively enhancing the power grid’s capacity to accommodate and regulate fluctuating new energy sources such as offshore wind power. The project can simultaneously serve new energy consumption, power grid peak shaving and frequency regulation, and emergency power supply support, becoming a key carrier for the local development pattern of “wind and solar power + energy storage support + zero-carbon port industries.”
Mar 20, 2026 19:18
XPeng Motors Reports Q4 2025 Revenue Growth, Forecasts Q1 Delivery Decline
Mar 20, 2026 17:41
XPeng Motors Reports Q4 2025 Revenue Growth, Forecasts Q1 Delivery Decline
Read More
XPeng Motors Reports Q4 2025 Revenue Growth, Forecasts Q1 Delivery Decline
XPeng Motors Reports Q4 2025 Revenue Growth, Forecasts Q1 Delivery Decline
XPeng Motors' Q4 2025 revenue was 22.25 billion yuan, up 38.2% YoY; Q4 non-GAAP net profit was approximately 510 million yuan. XPeng Motors expected Q1 vehicle deliveries to decline 29.8%-35.1% YoY, to between 61,000 and 66,000 units.
Mar 20, 2026 17:41