Cobalt sulfate up on expectations of active Jan restocking; hydroxide interest strengthens

The spot cobalt sulfate price in the domestic Chinese market continued on its uptrend midweek after suppliers either held offers firm or held out for sales in expectation of extensive restocking in January, sources told Fastmarkets on December 17.

Fastmarkets' cobalt sulfate 20.5% Co basis, exw China rose to 54,000-55,000 yuan ($8,269-8,422) per tonne on Wednesday December 16, up 0.5% from 54,000-54,500 yuan per tonne on December 11.
Market interest in selling and purchasing has thinned in the run up to the end of the year, which is when both parties usually want to square the books.

Demand from downstream battery producers, however, has been relatively healthy of late and should maintain its momentum near term, which will filter through the whole supply chain and...

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