Global lithium battery-grade market stabilizes after prices decreased in recent weeks, producers and consumers' price struggle persists due to unmatched price expectations between both sides of the market.
Global lithium market unchanged Mismatch of price expectation between two sides of the market persists Lithium producers expect prices and market activity to pick up Downstream consumers wait for lower prices due to new production coming online in China, with new producers seeking battery-grade material qualification.Chinese domestic spot battery-grade lithium carbonate prices were unchanged this week on downstream buyers' muted purchasing. The Chinese domestic spot battery-grade lithium carbonate price (min 99.5% Li2CO3) was assessed at 135,000-140,000 yuan ($21,140-21,923) per tonne, unchanged from the previous week, according to Metal Bulletin's market assessment on Thursday May 24.Most major lithium producers insisted on their current offering prices despite the flat market and hold a positive outlook on the market in the second half of 2018 against the less optimistic long-term price view in the downstream industry, which expects lower prices in the weeks to come. "The Chinese domestic market remains typically slow...