Consumers: Battery grade lithium carbonate price rising continuously
2012-05-30 10:01:49 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 30 May 12 – Consumers reported to see rising price of battery grade lithium carbonate from middle May with producers controlling their shipment volumes consciously. At the present time, mainstream price of battery grade lithium carbonate increases to about RMB40-42/kg (USD6.32-6.64/kg), rising by around RMB0.75/kg (USD0.12/kg) compared with that of a week ago. For small quantities inquiries, offers go up to about RMB44-45/kg (USD6.95-7.11/kg).
A consumer in Shandong, with a yearly consumption of about 200t, revealed to Asian Metal that they bought 20t of lithium carbonate of battery grade at about RMB42/kg (USD6.64/kg) two days ago. The source is surprised that battery grade lithium carbonate price rises so fast because lithium battery industry will enter into the sluggish season. “I think the main reason is that there is not ample supply in the market because three giant lithium producers control their output to guarantee profit. On the other hand, lithium ore price rises too,” analyzed the source.
The source always buys raw materials from a Sichuan supplier and he said that some producers even raise offer to about RMB44/kg (USD6.95/kg) for small orders.
Another consumer in Hunan, whose consumption of lithium carbonate of battery grade is 35-40tpm, disclosed to Asian Metal that they signed a 200t of lithium carbonate of battery grade order at RMB39/kg (USD6.16/kg) with a Sichuan producer late last year and they are going to use up the raw materials. According to him, they are negotiating with their suppliers about the new deals, and the quotations rise to about RMB42/kg (USD6.64/kg).
The source also noted that producers are controlling their shipment amount deliberately right now and they cannot build high inventory. However, the source reported that traditional off-season will come in June and he doubts how much the price will go up and he expects to see more supply in the future because several producers in Northwest China will resume production.
A consumer in Shandong, with a yearly consumption of about 200t, revealed to Asian Metal that they bought 20t of lithium carbonate of battery grade at about RMB42/kg (USD6.64/kg) two days ago. The source is surprised that battery grade lithium carbonate price rises so fast because lithium battery industry will enter into the sluggish season. “I think the main reason is that there is not ample supply in the market because three giant lithium producers control their output to guarantee profit. On the other hand, lithium ore price rises too,” analyzed the source.
The source always buys raw materials from a Sichuan supplier and he said that some producers even raise offer to about RMB44/kg (USD6.95/kg) for small orders.
Another consumer in Hunan, whose consumption of lithium carbonate of battery grade is 35-40tpm, disclosed to Asian Metal that they signed a 200t of lithium carbonate of battery grade order at RMB39/kg (USD6.16/kg) with a Sichuan producer late last year and they are going to use up the raw materials. According to him, they are negotiating with their suppliers about the new deals, and the quotations rise to about RMB42/kg (USD6.64/kg).
The source also noted that producers are controlling their shipment amount deliberately right now and they cannot build high inventory. However, the source reported that traditional off-season will come in June and he doubts how much the price will go up and he expects to see more supply in the future because several producers in Northwest China will resume production.
Lithium Carbonate 99.5%min CIF China
Unit:USD/kg
China lithium carbonate 99%min producers' inventory to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
