Electrolyte Prices Edged Up This Week (2026.5.25-5.28) [SMM Lithium Battery Electrolyte Market Weekly Review]

Published: May 28, 2026 14:36 (GMT+8)

Save

[SMM Lithium Battery Electrolyte Market Weekly Review: Electrolyte Prices Edged Up This Week (2026.5.25-5.28)] From May 25 to May 28, 2026, electrolyte prices edged up. As raw material price increases were gradually and smoothly transmitted to downstream sectors, electrolyte prices are still expected to have room to rise in the future market.

SMM May 28:

Electrolyte market prices edged up this week. Specifically, the average prices of electrolyte for ternary power battery, LFP, and LMO were 29,350 yuan/mt, 27,600 yuan/mt, and 21,900 yuan/mt, respectively. Cost side, LiPF6 has entered a new round of order negotiation phase. Although lithium carbonate experienced short-term fluctuations and pulled back due to news-driven disruptions, prices remained in a high range. Combined with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and phosphorus pentachloride prices staying firm at high levels supported by upstream raw materials, the overall cost of LiPF6 rose notably compared with the previous period. Meanwhile, the industry continued destocking in the earlier period, and the supply-demand pattern kept tightening. Multiple factors drove LiPF6 prices to rise. Although solvent prices pulled back slightly recently, overall fluctuations were limited, pushing up the overall cost of electrolyte. Despite multiple factors, cost pressure on electrolyte has not yet been fully passed through to downstream, but the rise in raw material costs has already driven a slight raise in electrolyte prices. Demand side, NEV sales recovered MoM, boosting power battery demand. Additionally, the energy storage industry approached the grid connection deadline (June 30), with orders continuing to be released. Both sectors jointly drove electrolyte production higher. Overall, upstream raw material cost increases were gradually transmitted downstream, driving electrolyte prices higher. Going forward, as costs are further passed through and end-use demand steadily improves, electrolyte prices still have upside room.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Wang Cong 021-51666838

Ma Rui 021-51595780

Feng Disheng 021-51666714

Lv Yanlin 021-20707875

Xu Mengqi 021-20707868

Hu Xuejie 021-20707858

Chen Bolin 021-51666836

Wang Yizhou 021-51595909

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 for 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

5 hours ago

Vulcan Begins VULSORB Production for 24,000 mt/yr Lionheart Lithium Project in Germany, Targets 2028 Launch

Vulcan has started commercial-scale production of VULSORB, its proprietary adsorbent that selectively captures lithium from brine. The company will use VULSORB at its Lionheart lithium production plant, currently under construction in Germany and due for commissioning in the second half of 2028. Vulcan said VULSORB has completed thousands of operating cycles under real-world conditions, achieving lithium extraction efficiency of up to 95%. The adsorbent is aluminate-based, and Vulcan holds both the formulation and the manufacturing method. Vulcan noted that China, the largest global provider of adsorption-type direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology and products, placed export controls and strict licensing arrangements on overseas shipments in early 2025. Lionheart targets annual production of 24,000 mt of lithium hydroxide monohydrate over an estimated 30-year project life. Vulcan will focus on manufacturing VULSORB over the next 18-24 months ahead of Lionheart's commissioning and can license the technology globally through its VULTEC technology arm.

5 hours ago

Anson Resources Inks MoU for 2,000-6,000 mtpa Lithium Carbonate Offtake from Utah's Green River Project

Anson Resources has signed an MoU with metals trader Wogen Resources and financing adviser Xcelsior Capital Advisors to evaluate a long-term offtake of 2,000-6,000 mtpa of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) from its Green River lithium project in Utah, US. The proposed initial offtake term is five years, with scope for larger volumes and a longer term. Xcelsior may evaluate investment or financing support for the project, including debt, product prepayment and strategic investment. Anson expects Green River to start production in 2029/30, subject to development, financing, permitting, construction and commissioning. Under the MoU, the parties will review technical information and representative product samples, conduct lithium carbonate product testing and qualification, evaluate logistics, infrastructure and delivered-product costs, assess financing structures, and negotiate one or more definitive agreements.

5 hours ago

[SMM News] Argosy Minerals Completes Rincon Crystallisation Tests, Lithium Chloride Yield Above 99%

On the 21st of September, Argosy Minerals completed crystallization test work for its Rincon Lithium Project in Salta Province, Argentina, which has a planned capacity of 12,000 mtpa. The tests showed the process is designed to achieve a lithium chloride yield above 99%. An independent European technology provider ran laboratory scale continuous, semi continuous and discontinuous tests using lithium brine from Argosy's earlier solvent extraction pilot campaign. The tests covered evaporation crystallization and solid liquid separation, with a focus on impurity rejection and product specification. Product quality met proposed specification, and the process route of pre concentration, sodium hydroxide treatment, solid-liquid separation and evaporation crystallization can produce specification-grade anhydrous lithium chloride. The technology provider will use the data to complete the feasibility basic engineering package for the crystallization unit, scheduled for October 2026. Finalizing the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) still requires each major unit operation to be validated through laboratory and pilot scale testing, so Rincon's planned 12,000 mtpa capacity has not yet moved to the construction stage. Argosy holds a 77.5% interest in Rincon and 100% of the Tonopah Lithium Project in Nevada, US.

5 hours ago