Substantial Shortage of Lithium Concentrate Emerged in China, Pushing up Prices across the Whole Industry

SHANGHAI, Sep 8 (SMM) - Lithium industry chain products rose again. 99.2% (industrial/Made-in-China) lithium carbonate rose 3000 yuan/mt to a reported quote of 127,000 yuan/mt; 99.5% (battery-grade/MIC) lithium carbonate prices rose 1500 yuan/mt to 134,000 yuan mt; 56.5% (battery-grade/ coarse particles) lithium hydroxide rose 1500 yuan/mt to 135,000 yuan/mt; 56.5% (battery-grade/micro powder) lithium hydroxide rose by 2,500 yuan/mt to 140,500 yuan/mt.

Institutional analysis indicates that domestic lithium concentrate has shown substantial shortage, and domestic stocks may be completely depleted by the end of the year. Lithium prices increase is likely to accelerate in September in light of the intensifying contradiction between supply and demand, the continued release of downstream demand for lithium salts in September, as well as Pilbara's new round of lithium concentrate auctions on the BMX electronic trading platform.