Chinese Mn3O4 Output Crashes in Apr on Downstream Companies' Production Cuts

SHANGHAI, May 9 (SMM) - In April, Chinese manganese tetroxide (Mn3O4) output was 9,400 mt (including 5,578 mt of electronics-grade Mn3O4 and 3,852 mt of battery-grade Mn3O4), down 12.44% MoM and 11.04% YoY. The output in the first four months of the year totalled about 45,100 mt, down 7.01% on the year. The Mn3O4 companies cut their production as LMO battery companies reduced the production amid the fall in lithium carbonate prices in mid-to-early April.

Entering May, most LMO battery producers have received more orders, and the downstream sectors have generally increased their raw material purchases since late April. Therefore, the Mn3O4 output in May may rise slightly to about 9,500 mt.