Latest Update in the SMM Lithium Market

Raw material side, spot lithium carbonate prices began to rise this week, while cobalt sulphate and nickel sulphate prices remained temporarily stable.

This week, the overall second-life battery market for lithium battery Grade B products remained stable, while prices for warehouse A and Grade A products rose. On the cost side, lithium carbonate first increased and then declined, with evident fluctuations; nickel sulphate edged down slightly, while cobalt sulphate prices remained stable. On the supply side, battery cell capacity continued to be released, the EV sector carried out orderly stockpiling, demand in the ESS sector remained robust, and order shipments stayed at a high level. On the demand side, following the implementation of the new power battery regulations on April 1, the exclusive concept of second-life application was removed and uniformly brought under comprehensive utilization supervision, with strict control over the circulation of non-compliant products; the market showed structural divergence, with average demand from the EV sector, but strong demand for compliant orders in energy storage and outside China. In terms of product-grade price spreads: quotations for leading Grade A products with warranties approached those of new battery cells, while circulation of recycled materials and Grade B products remained weak and prices held flat, as they struggled to meet compliant procurement standards.

[SMM Lithium Battery Electrolyte Market Weekly Review: Electrolyte Prices Remained Temporarily Stable This Week (2026.3.30-4.2)] From March 30 to April 2, 2026, electrolyte prices remained temporarily stable. Subsequent price trends will still need to focus on changes in upstream raw material prices

Recently, ARECOMS of the DRC announced the detailed implementation rules for carrying forward unfulfilled quotas. Pursuant to Resolution No. 005/ARECOMS/2025 dated October 10, 2025, in order to ensure the consistent and transparent implementation of export quotas, the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances (ARECOMS) hereby notified the relevant mineral business entities and public administrative departments of the final detailed rules for carrying forward unfulfilled quotas during the period from October 16 to December 31, 2025, as well as the detailed rules for carrying forward approved quotas for Q1 2026. The original text was translated as follows: The English translation of the above text is: