According to the data monitoring of SunSirs, the price of industrial-grade and battery-grade lithium carbonate continued to rise this week. On January 20, the average price of industrial grade lithium carbonate in East China was 332,600 RMB/ton, which was 5.72% higher than that at the beginning of the week (the average price of industrial grade lithium carbonate in East China was 314,600 RMB/ton on January 16). On January 20, the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in East China was 360,000 RMB/ton, which was 7.14% higher than that at the beginning of the week (the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in East China was 336,000 RMB/ton on January 16). As of January 20, the comprehensive market quotation of the industrial-grade lithium carbonate was around 300,000~360,000 RMB/ton, and the comprehensive market quotation of the battery-grade lithium carbonate was around
340,000~400,000 RMB/ton.
Analysis review
By observing the changes in the market, the price of lithium carbonate continued to rise sharply this week, and the price of lithium carbonate in the market appeared high. Last week, due to the sharp drop in the price of lithium in Wuxi, some companies in the market released a small amount of goods. However, under the circumstance of limited inventory and high downstream demand, the price of lithium carbonate did not have much impact, and the spot price remained high. As the Spring Festival holiday is approaching, downstream ferrous lithium phosphate enterprises still have some stocking gaps, and ternary manufacturers have sufficient raw materials supported by some long orders. Therefore, in the state of tight supply of lithium carbonate, the price continues to run at a high level. This week, domestic logistics and transportation had been gradually suspended, and some lithium carbonate companies were also reluctant to sell, so prices continued to rise.
The downstream lithium hydroxide market continued to rise. Recently, the price of raw material spodumene was high, the price of lithium carbonate was running strongly, and the cost support was strong. Lithium hydroxide was actively following up with lithium carbonate, some companies were actively preparing warehouses, and the market trading atmosphere was acceptable.
The price of downstream ferrous lithium phosphate continued to rise. At present, manufacturers are actively shipping, the supply side is tight, and the focus of negotiation is high. The overall market negotiation atmosphere is acceptable. The center of gravity of the upstream market is running at a high level, and the price is rising. The ferrous lithium phosphate market has certain support, and the overall market is running strongly.
Market outlook
Lithium carbonate analysts of SunSirs believe that the current logistics market may gradually begin to stagnate, and upstream shipments are gradually decreasing, while most manufacturers focus on long-term cooperation with customers and there are bidding sales on the side of traders. It is expected that the price of lithium carbonate will continue to be high in the short term.
