GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: China lithium prices rise on consumer restocking; European, US prices steady

Lithium prices in China mostly rose over the week ending Thursday July 22 due to restocking drives among consumers, sources told Fastmarkets.

• Lithium prices in Chinese domestic market rise amid consumer restocking activity.
• Seaborne Asian lithium market remains steady amid persistently tight supply.
• European and US prices remain largely stable, with technical-grade lithium hydroxide narrowing upward slightly.

Battery-grade lithium prices in the domestic Chinese market edged up when suppliers managed to translate higher offers into spot business amid routine restocking activities among consumers who intended to secure August units.
Fastmarkets’ assessment of the lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range, ex-works domestic China rose to 88,000-90,000 yuan ($13,613-13,923) per tonne on Thursday, up by 1,000 yuan per tonne from 87,000-89,000 yuan per tonne one week ago.
Due to fresh monthly restocking appetites, strength seen in the technical-grade units in the past three weeks has finally been mirrored in the battery-grade price.

Fastmarkets’ price assessment for lithium carbonate 99% Li2CO3 min, technical...