According to data from some market analysts, lepidolite-sourced...

According to data from some market analysts, lepidolite-sourced LCE production in China is currently being sold at a loss (August 2024). That will represent, on an annual basis and if prices remain at these levels (or even lower) that about 10 % of the Chinese LCE will be artificially placed on market:

https://www.infolink-group.com/energy-article/energy-storage-topic-lithium-carbonate-market-trend-2024

October 13^th2023

In 2023, as environmental and land issues partially abate, construction halts are less frequent than a year prior. This year, the lepidolite production volume in Jiangxi could reach 120,000 MT LCE, with vertically integrated projects contributing 75% and potentially producing lepidolite of over 200,000 MTLCE in 2024.

According to InfoLink’s Global Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain Database, global lithium carbonate demand will reach 1,189,000 MT lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2024, comprising 759,000 MT LCE from automotive lithium-ion battery, 119,000 MT LCE from energy-storage lithium-ion battery, and 311,000 MT LCE from lithium-ion battery for consumer electronics, ceramics, and glass-ceramics. The total production output of lithium carbonate is estimated to reach 1,323,000 MT LCE in 2024, with 418,000 MT LCE from brines, 688,000 MT LCE from spodumene, and 217,000 MT LCE from lepidolite.

https://www.infolink-group.com/energy-article/energy-storage-topic-lithium-spot-price-lithium-carbonate-prices-weaken-while-cell-prices-remain-low

June 4^th2024

Severe oversupply sustained in May. Lepidolite production in Jiangxi recovered from impacts of environmental protection concerns, resuming production, and generating higher output; As the weather gets hot, production volumes of brines in Qinghai increased. According to Chilean customs data, Chile exported 22,900 MT of lithium carbonate to China in April, a 157% year-on-year growth.The deliveries arrive in batches during May and June, providing strong supply for China.

https://www.infolink-group.com/energy-article/energy-storage-topic-lithium-spot-price-lithium-prices-keep-falling-while-cell-prices-slightly-slip

August 2^nd2024

Despite a brief market fluctuation caused by the earthquake in Chile, lithium prices saw persistent oversupply amid gloomy demand as the traditional low season falls upon. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers continue producing lithium salt without signs of production cuts, leaving a higher supply level. Thus,lithium prices would hardly rebound.

https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/lithium-weakness-pushes-chinese-producers-to-consider-output-cuts-sources/

August 16th2024

Fastmarkets’weekly assessment of lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range exwdomestic China was 71,000-74,000 yuan per tonne on Thursday, down by 7,000-8,000 yuan per tonne from 78,000-82,000 yuan per tonne a week earlier.

“The cost of battery-grade lithium carbonate among some vertically integrated lepidolite producers in China’s Jiangxi province is around 85,000 yuan per tonne, while other non-vertically-integrated lepidolite producers have even higher costs,” a Chinese lithium trader said.