According to the data monitored by the business community, the prices of industrial and battery grade lithium carbonate continued to rise this week. On September 15, the average price of industrial lithium carbonate in East China was 494000 yuan/ton, which was 0.82% higher than the average price at the beginning of the week (on September 11, the average price of industrial lithium carbonate in East China was 490000 yuan/ton). On September 15, the average price of battery grade lithium carbonate in East China was 510000 yuan/ton, up 1.19% compared with the average price at the beginning of the week (on September 11, the average price of battery grade lithium carbonate in East China was 504000 yuan/ton).

According to the observation of market changes, lithium carbonate prices showed an upward trend this week. In terms of market supply, with the completion of power rationing and mid year maintenance in Sichuan, the commencement of lithium salt plants has risen. However, due to the shortage of supply in the early stage, in the near future, long orders in the early stage of delivery are mainly used. With the gradual release of the epidemic situation in Qinghai, some enterprises in Qinghai have delivered a small amount of goods, but the market supply is still tight.

In terms of demand, the downstream demand gap has expanded, the market procurement volume has been increasing, and the market is in a state of weak supply and strong demand. With the arrival of the fourth quarter, downstream manufacturers are actively stocking up and purchasing, and the market has entered a stage where one product is hard to find, which has driven the price of lithium carbonate up.

The downstream lithium hydroxide price remained stable, the lithium oxide market was at a high level, and the lithium carbonate price rose, driving the lithium hydroxide market significantly. The market supply was increased compared with the early stage, but the manufacturers mainly made up long orders, and the spot supply was tight. The downstream inquiry and procurement were active, and the focus of the lithium hydroxide market negotiation was at a high level.

The downstream price of lithium iron phosphate remained stable, with a small range of price fluctuations. The downstream just needed to purchase, the purchasing atmosphere was general, and the overall market was stable. At present, the manufacturer’s supply was still tight, and the supply side was obviously insufficient. The contract customers were mainly responsible for ordering and shipping, and the number of new orders was limited.

Lithium carbonate analysts from the business community believe that with the arrival of the fourth quarter, the demand for downstream market procurement has increased, but the market is bullish. The manufacturers are reluctant to sell lithium carbonate, and there are relatively few spot goods on the market. It is expected that the price of lithium carbonate will fluctuate at a high level in the short term.