FA & General Banter, page-17082

LITHIUM DEMAND EXCEEDED FORECAST
“Lithium demand is strong across the international lithium-ion battery supply chain and many independent lithium demand forecasts have been raised as EV sales have exceeded earlier forecasts,” the company wrote.

“Europe and China continue to lead this trend with 2021 YTD EV sales rising 224% and 153% year-on-year respectively.

“Supply side tightness in raw materials is expected to continue despite supply forecasts revised upwards in response to accelerated EV sales growth. Australian spodumene producers also lifted utilisation rates and exports to China benefiting from higher prices in the period.

“The market is set to face structural supply and demand issues from this year with the absence of significant supply-side developments to supplement current and near-term supply.

“As a result, chemical availability poses a major bottleneck risk to battery production which is also expanding rapidly in response to EV growth.”