SHANGHAI, Feb 9 (SMM) - China's lithium carbonate output in January stood at 35,925 mt, up 3% on a monthly basis and 89% on a yearly basis.
In January, some spodumene-based smelters were under maintenance and the production from salt lake continued to decline on seasonal factors. This, combined with the falling operating rates of recycling enterprises, caused the output of lithium carbonate to dwindle. While at the same time, the lepidolite-based smelters whose production had been restricted by environmental protection were resuming the production, in addition to a significant increase in new capacity. Altogether, the total output climbed.
In February, the maintenance of some spodumene-based smelters is still ongoing, but the total output will see an increase thanks to the stable production of lepidolite-based smelters and the production ramp-ups of salt lake on warm weather.
China's lithium carbonate output in February is thus estimated to grow 1% on a monthly basis and 94% on a yearly basis to 36,179 mt.
