Investment for new projects outside of China and acceptance that synthetic graphite will continue to play a role in supplying the anode battery sector are key for the development of the nascent European graphite market, according to panelists at Fastmarkets’ European Battery Raw Materials conference in Amsterdam

The relatively high costs for black mass material meant that some recyclers in China and Southeast Asia were turning away from purchases of such powders in favor of other options

France-based metallurgy firm Eramet and utility company Suez announced this week that they will begin the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries at a site in Dunkirk, northern France, beginning in 2025

Silicon production outside China will need to increase significantly if it is to provide sufficient material to produce battery anodes for the energy transition in the rest of the world, sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Tuesday September 26

Delegates at Fastmarkets’ European Battery Raw Materials Conference in Amsterdam, held September 18-20, discussed their expectations and the likely developments in the global battery raw materials markets. Here are five key takeaways

China’s lithium prices continued to decrease over the week to Thursday September 21 amid ongoing downward pressure from scarce spot demand and bearish sentiment, as well as weakening Chinese futures

Demand for black mass in key Asian import markets has faced further pressure in the past week amid weakening battery metals prices which are leaving consumers of the shredded battery powder with poor margins, sources said

September and October are usually peak demand months for Chinese markets, leading to them being coined “Golden September” and “Silver October”. However, demand may fail to meet traditional expectations in China’s lithium market this year

Demand for neodymium rare earth magnets from the offshore wind power industry is set to soar in the next decade if decarbonization plans are realized

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