CME lithium hydroxide futures reached record volumes in July 2025, reflecting strong market momentum and shifting price structures driven by Chinese supply disruptions. Global exchanges are playing a larger role in shaping lithium trading trends.

Chinese battery giant CATL has suspended operations at its Jianxiawo lithium mine in Jiangxi after its permit expired, sparking price jumps in lithium futures and spot markets. Analysts note the halt could influence supply and market sentiment despite CATL’s assurance of minimal operational impact.

Spodumene production in Australia and Canada rose in the second quarter of 2025, with most producers maintaining profitability despite falling prices. However, several high-cost operations remain inactive amid ongoing market uncertainty.

To increase the transparency of our methodology, Fastmarkets clarifies that qualities of these two battery-grade lithium hydroxide assessments are both coarse. You can find the updated methodology for lithium hydroxide here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/uploads/2025/05/fm-mb-lithium.pdf To provide feedback on this clarification for the battery-grade lithium hydroxide methodology please contact Zihao Li by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the […]

China's black mass import rules, effective August 1, may reshape global battery recycling by tightening high-grade material supply and altering trade patterns, benefiting some suppliers while challenging others.

The Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) has set a daily position limit of 3,000 lots for non-futures firms and individuals on its September lithium carbonate futures contract, effective July 28. The move aims to address sharp price spikes and market volatility, even as oversupply persists.

Despite falling prices, three Brazilian lithium plants – owned by Sigma Lithium, Companhia Brasileira de Lítio (CBL) and AMG Lithium – are seeking to expand their operations in the coming years, in order to become more competitive in the global market, Fastmarkets heard during the “Lithium Business Brazil” event held July 8-10 in the state of Minas Gerais.

The government of Finland was ramping-up support for its burgeoning battery materials supply chain through grants for facilities owned by Easpring Finland New Materials and Fortum Battery Recycling, the firms said on Thursday July 10.

Despite the current headwinds, strategic partnerships and continued investment in the right areas, coupled with the underlying strong long-term demand fundamentals, will pave the way for success for lithium producers, according to the participants of the executive panel during the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference, which took place from June 23-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The US needs well-defined and stable policy around critical minerals, energy transition and trade, while derisking projects and maintaining good relations with other countries to be able to establish sustainable electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS) supply chains in North America, according to industry experts.