Sungrow: The Global Energy Storage Market Is Expected to Grow by 30–50 in 2026

[Chile's Lithium Carbonate Exports in May 2026 at 19,100 mt, Lithium Sulfate Exports at 14,200 mt] According to Chile customs export data, in May 2026, Chile's total lithium carbonate exports were 19,100 mt, down 35.2% MoM and up 35.30% YoY. Of this, exports to China were 13,601 mt, down 40.75% MoM and up 40.87% YoY; exports to South Korea were 3,392 mt, down 2.77% MoM and up 27.34% YoY; and exports to Japan were 492 mt, down 57.56% MoM and up 42.04% YoY. In May 2026, Chile's total lithium sulfate exports to China were 14,200 mt, up 17.41% MoM and up 45.97% YoY.

On the evening of June 8, Zhejiang Yongtai Technology Co., Ltd. issued an announcement stating that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zhejiang Yongtai New Energy Materials Co., Ltd., recently signed an "Electrolyte Cooperation Agreement" with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL). According to the agreement, subject to Yongtai New Energy's product quality being stable and its raw material prices being competitive compared to other suppliers within CATL's supplier system, CATL plans to purchase electrolyte from Yongtai New Energy in quantities of 70,000 tons, 150,000 tons, and 250,000 tons for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively. The total estimated procurement volume over the three years is 470,000 tons.

Developing local processing capacity is not simply a matter of building another plant next to a mine. It requires a country to simultaneously possess reliable energy supply, logistics infrastructure, chemical-industry capabilities, engineering expertise, customer qualification systems, access to financing, policy continuity and transparent pricing mechanisms. Resources can attract investment, but they cannot guarantee project success.