„First is the notion that lithium is a commodity in the...

„First is the notion that lithium is a commodity in the traditional sense of the word. Commodity implies a level of homogeneity that experts and, more importantly, consumers of lithium will tell you makes all the difference. While some large sell-side firms base their bearish views on “the price” for lithium, in my experience, they typically use a figure for lower quality grade often used in China as indicative of the entire lithium market.

However, battery-grade lithium commands a higher price, and many consumers have specific criteria relative to impurities, composition, etc., that make them more sensitive to quality and less sensitive to price. Research from industry expert Benchmark minerals shows lithium hydroxide prices had a spread between $7.8/kg and $12/kg as of the end of October. Commodity? I think not.“
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2020/12/04/why-lithiums-salad-days-are-ahead/