https://news.metal.com/newscontent/102129067/Exclusive:-Chinas-Me...

https://news.metal.com/newscontent/102129067/Exclusive:-Chinas-Metals-Output-in-February/

Lithium carbonate

China’s lithium carbonate output stood at 30,802 mt in February, down 14% MoM, but up 66% YoY. Some spodumene and lepidolite-based smelters ramped up their production after the weather warmed up. However, extended maintenance by large spodumene-based smelters and production disruptions to some lepidolite-based smelters due to environmental protection checks in late February, coupled with dismal recycling market, caused lithium carbonate output to drop on a MoM basis.

While some lepidolite-based smelters in Jiangxi will remain under maintenance, the capacity ramp-up by spodumene and salt lake-based smelters is expected to allow the domestic lithium carbonate output to recover to 35,058 mt in March, up 14% MoM and 34% YoY.

Lithium hydroxide

China’s lithium hydroxide output stood at 24,371 mt in February, up 15% MoM and 92% YoY. From the perspective of smelting, although some large smelters reduced their production further due to insufficient supply of ore, the capacity ramp-up of new projects and production recovery after maintenance pushed up the overall output. From the perspective of causticisation, causticisation plants were keen on purchasing lithium carbonate to produce lithium hydroxide due to the big price difference between the two and strong demand.

With smelting and causticising activities both increasing, SMM estimates that the domestic lithium hydroxide output will reach 27,112 mt in March, up 11% MoM and 54% YoY.