China’s Lithium Carbonate Output Recovered Noticeably In May And On Track To Grow Further In June Amid Optimistic Market Expectations

SHANGHAI, Jun 8 (SMM) – Below is SMM’s exclusive data on China’s lithium carbonate output in May and forecast for June.

China’s lithium carbonate output stood at 33,382 mt in May, up 14% MoM and 14% YoY.

Despite maintenance by some smelters, growing spodumene supply enabled the total output of spodumene-based battery-grade lithium carbonate to increase. Some lepidolite-based smelters returned to profit-making territory and lepidolite production increased, significantly driving up the output of lepidolite-based lithium carbonate smelters. In addition, salt lake -based smelters saw significant growth in their output, whereas scrap-based smelters reported only mild production growth.

Driven by brisk lithium ore purchases and optimistic market expectations, SMM estimates that China’s lithium carbonate output will climb 11% MoM and 17% YoY to 36,982 mt in June.