Manganese sulphate production is rising as NEV demand grows; iron‑phosphate output surged 59 % year‑on‑year thanks to integrated LFP producers. Titan Mining’s Kilbourne project aims to supply ultra‑pure graphite for anodes, and the global black‑mass recycling market is set to nearly double by 2029.
Nickel prices surged as Indonesian strikes tightened supply; battery‑grade nickel sulphate climbed to around 27,800 yuan/tonne. Cobalt output slipped in August but is set to tick up, with prices holding steady.
China’s lithium sector faces subsidy adjustments but strong NEV demand. New projects in China, North America and Europe will expand supply, while a Chinese breakthrough in 600 Wh/kg lithium‑metal batteries hints at future efficiency gains.
Recycled and synthetic anodes gain momentum; sustainable graphite production, black‑mass integration and high‑purity pig iron reshape circular battery materials.
Electrolyte over‑build unwinds as solid‑state and sodium‑ion materials gain traction; faster customs clearance and 6F tightness signal a maturing lithium chain.
Nickel sulphate prices creep higher as Indonesian MHP tightens; rising payables point to upstream pressure and possible margin squeeze for NMC precursors.
Lithium projects expand despite low prices, while nickel/cobalt face weak demand. The anode market is set to grow 13.46% CAGR. New U.S. tariffs add cost and volatility for battery metal imports.
Asia-Pacific's battery recycling market is booming, driven by resource scarcity and regulations. The U.S. and India are also advancing with new recycling platforms and digital battery IDs to secure supply chains.
Breakthroughs in lithium-metal, polymer cathodes, and manganese/sodium-ion batteries promise higher energy densities, safety, and supply-chain resilience, moving beyond today's dominant chemistries.
The battery market is diversifying beyond lithium-ion. Solid-state tech nears commercialization, while automakers pivot strategies for new markets and supply chains, and recycling emerges as a critical new business model.
Lithium prices are volatile despite market oversupply. Nickel faces a surplus but stable prices, while cobalt sees a price split. LFP battery materials are in a fiercely competitive expansion phase.
New US tariffs and China's "anti-involution" policy are reshaping the global battery supply chain, forcing a strategic shift towards localized production and supply chain resilience.