That is incorrect Hydroxide can be made from carbonate or from...

That is incorrect

Hydroxide can be made from carbonate or from spodumene. The brine producershave to go to carbonate and then convert to hydroxide. That is why hydroxide was usually more expensive than carbonate. Spodumene instead can be converted directly into Hydroxide. Brine producers are the cheapest route to carbonate, spodumene can be the cheapest to hydroxide.

High nickel cathodes (greater than 622) require Hydroxide. Any lower nickel cathode (532, 111, etc) can use either material. Since carbonate is easier to handle and generally cheaper carbonate is preferred in those applications.