GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: Seaborne Asian lithium complex steady...

GLOBAL LITHIUM WRAP: Seaborne Asian lithium complex steady despite China carbonate weakness
The markets for the lithium complex in Asia were mostly steady over the week ended Thursday May 27, except for the domestic Chinese market for lithium carbonate, which was under pressure due to rising supply and weaker demand.

• Lithium carbonate prices in China soften on increasing supply and weakening demand
• Seaborne Asian lithium complex steady amid persistent tight supply
• Europe, US spot lithium complex moves up on tight supply, robust buying appetite.

Prices for both lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide were firm over the week to May 27, with tight supply continuing to drive market sentiment.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for lithium carbonate, 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price, cif China, Japan and Korea, was flat at $12-14 per kg on May 27. The corresponding assessment for lithium hydroxide monohydrate, 56.5% LiOH.H2O min, battery grade, spot price, cif China, Japan & Korea, was similarly unchanged at $12.50-14.00 per kg on the same day.
A producer source acknowledged that the shipping bottleneck in the global commodity market had partly restricted its capacity to offer material to the spot market.