BEIJING (Asian Metal) 9 Apr 15 - Battery lithium carbonate...

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 9 Apr 15 - Battery lithium carbonate 99.5%min price rises sharply to RMB48,000-50,000/t (USD7,742-8,065/t) this week in China, up by around 5% compared with that a fortnight ago. Buyers reported that the supply of the lithium salt becomes further strained after the markup.

A Chinese consumer demanding around 30tpm of lithium carbonate 99.5%min told Asian Metal that he just received the offer at RMB50,000/t (USD8,065/t) from his supplier yesterday, up by RMB2,000/t (USD323/t) compared with that last week. “Most producers have no materials in stock, but we have to restock to guarantee the production,” said the source, disclosing that they intend to place an order within this week.

The source last purchased around 10 tons of lithium carbonate 99.5%min at RMB47,500/t (USD7,661/t) about last week, and plans to buy 20 tons at least with the expectation of further increase in price.

A source from a smelter in South China with an output of 150tpm told Asian Metal that the smelter just raised the price to RMB48,000/t (USD7,742/t) from RMB46,500/t (USD7,500/t) this week, adding the received orders will be finished till the end of this month. “We have received many inquiries in recent two days, but we can’t receive any new orders,” said the source, predicting the price will go up further in the coming two weeks.

According to the source, the smelter just delivered around 70 tons of lithium carbonate 99.5%min last week with a price of RMB46,000/t (USD7,419/t), which has been fixed a fortnight ago.
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