EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
InfoLink Consulting reported another sharp decline in China’s lithium raw material market, with battery-grade lithium carbonate and spodumene SC6 averages both falling 9.1% WoW. LFP storage cell prices edged lower, while electrochemical ESS transaction prices remained stable at low levels.
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Lithium raw material prices continued to decline in the latest weekly assessment from InfoLink, while China’s LFP energy storage cell prices edged lower and electrochemical ESS transaction prices remained stable. Battery-grade lithium carbonate averaged RMB 120,000/MT, down 9.1% WoW, while spodumene concentrate SC6 averaged $1,700/MT, also down 9.1%.
According to InfoLink, lithium salt prices remained weak amid expectations for recovering Q4 supply and diverging demand. Shipments from Zimbabwe and other African mines are gradually recovering, increasing imported ore inventories in China. However, lithium salt inventories have yet to show a clear build, while low-price purchases and declining market inventories are providing support around RMB 120,000/MT.
China’s LFP energy storage cell prices also declined, according to InfoLink. The 100 Ah format averaged RMB 0.428/Wh, down 2.3% WoW, while 280 Ah and 314 Ah cells both averaged RMB 0.363/Wh, down 0.7%. Lower lithium carbonate prices are gradually being reflected in newly signed orders and spot transactions. The 100 Ah segment faces greater pressure from looser supply-demand conditions, while 314 Ah remains the mainstream format for utility-scale storage.
Electrochemical ESS transaction prices remained stable overall. The 2-hour DC-side liquid-cooled system averaged RMB 0.49/Wh, while 1-hour, 2-hour and 4-hour AC-side systems averaged RMB 0.84/Wh, RMB 0.58/Wh and RMB 0.53/Wh, respectively.
Utility-scale procurement activity also continued, InfoLink noted. Nine companies submitted bids for the 297 MW/1,188 MWh Deyu grid-side standalone energy storage demonstration project in Hebei, with most quotes ranging from RMB 0.511–0.535/Wh. Beijing Guozong Green Energy also shortlisted suppliers for 4 GWh of LFP ESS procurement, including about 3 GWh of 4-hour systems and 1 GWh of 2-hour systems.
In the near term, InfoLink expects standard LFP ESS prices to remain stable at low levels, while lithium carbonate prices are likely to fluctuate around RMB 120,000/MT.