30% increase in global battery demand (EV, BESS, etc) will need 450kt of LCE next year. And that will be needed on top of this years 1,500kt (1.5mt) LCE demand.
That 1,500kt LCE (for this year) includes the LCE production from everything including brine and hard rock spodumene.
450kt LCE is more needed for 2026 is nearly equal to the production of all Australian mines will produce this year.450kt LCE equals to 3,600,000kt of spodumene at mixed grades (4.2% to 6%. Average taken as 8 ton spod to 1t LCE).
So the global lithium market needs to find another Australia on Earth to meet the next year's lithium demand.
Ken Hoffman definitely knows what the global demand is for this year, which is at least 1.5mt LCE. And he defiantly knows what the min growth rate is, which is 30% at least.
The supply is just about that level by the "China's production at loss" policy. Let's see if the Chinese is aware of that!
(20min delay)