LCO: Cost Transmission Support, Demand Growth Under Pressure

Published: Dec 11, 2025 17:21

Save

This week, trading activity in the lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) market rebounded, with the overall supply-demand relationship remaining stable. Supply side, quotations for standard-grade products generally held above 370,000 yuan/mt, supported by persistently high raw material prices such as cobalt chloride and Co3O4, providing significant cost support. Demand side, battery cell manufacturers are still negotiating orders with downstream end-users. Affected by consecutive increases in raw material prices, some enterprises are evaluating the switch from LCO to ternary cathode materials, leading to a certain decline in new orders recently. In the short term, LCO prices are expected to remain stable, with limited upward momentum.

Wang Cong 021-51666838

Ma Rui 021-51595780

Feng Disheng 021-51666714

Lü Yanlin 021-20707875

Zhou Zhicheng 021-51666711

Zhang Haohan 021-51666752

Wang Zihan 021-51666914

Wang Jie 021-51595902

Xu Yang 021-51666760

Yang Lianting 021-51595835

Wang Zhaoyu 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 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

9 hours ago

Dynanonic plans to add 200,000 tpy phosphate material capacity

Dynanonic announced a proposed private placement to raise up to RMB 2.9 billion. Proceeds will mainly be used for its Phase I integrated lithium battery materials project, which is expected to add 200,000 tonnes per year of high-density phosphate material capacity.

9 hours ago

11 hours ago

[SMM Weekly Review] The hydrometallurgy recycling market this week: ternary and pure cobalt payables were slightly lowered, and market transactions were sluggish (Jun. 14-18, 2026).

Raw material side, this week lithium carbonate and nickel sulphate prices fluctuated, while cobalt sulphate prices continued to decline.

11 hours ago

[SMM Manganese Ore Weekly Review] Under Strong Costs and Weak Demand, Wait-and-See Sentiment Prevails in Manganese Ore Trading

June 18: North China ports: South African high-iron manganese ore: 31.4-32.1 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African semi-carbonate: 37.5-38 yuan/mtu, down WoW; Gabonese ore: 40.6-41 yuan/mtu, down WoW; 46% Australian lumps: 43.3-43.8 yuan/mtu, down WoW; South African medium-iron ore: 37.5-38 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. South China ports: South African high-iron manganese ore: 34.1-34.6 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African semi-carbonate: 36.5-37 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; Gabonese ore: 41-41.5 yuan/mtu, down WoW; 46% Australian lumps: 43.5-44 yuan/mtu, flat WoW; South African medium-iron ore: 37-37.5 yuan/mtu, flat WoW. The manganese ore market remains stable but stagnant, with sluggish end-use demand and a dominant wait-and-see sentiment in trading.

11 hours ago