The US and Europe must adopt long-term, consistent policies and should learn lessons from China, according to lithium industry experts speaking at Fastmarkets’ Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference in Las Vegas, US, over June 22-25.

Producers in Arkansas' Smackover Formation are advancing lithium extraction projects following recent regulatory approvals. Supported by oil and gas expertise and state incentives, the region is positioning itself as a key player in the US lithium supply chain.

The 2025 Fastmarkets Lithium Conference in Las Vegas highlighted critical issues shaping the battery supply chain, including lithium oversupply, funding struggles and the need for midstream investment. Discussions also emphasized the importance of interdependence with China and the challenges faced by recyclers amid policy uncertainty and market headwinds.

Global mining major Rio Tinto has sharpened its focus on lithium, betting not just on traditional hard rock or brine evaporation but on an emerging technology that could reshape the industry - direct lithium extraction (DLE)

Discover how big oil is fuelling change in the global electric vehicle (EV) market with the latest episode of Fast Forward podcast

Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for May 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more

To increase transparency, Fastmarkets has further clarified how it handles price movements during periods of low liquidity. Factors that Fastmarkets may consider during times of low liquidity include, but are not limited to: market fundamentals such as changes in inventory levels, shipments, operating rates and export volumes; relative fundamentals of similar commodities in the same […]

The US-China trade truce announced on May 12 has brought cautious optimism to China’s non-ferrous metals markets, signaling a possible shift in global trade. Starting May 14, the removal of additional tariffs has impacted sectors like battery raw materials, minor metals and base metals such as zinc and nickel, with mixed reactions. While the improved sentiment has lifted futures prices and trade activity, the long-term effects remain unclear due to challenges like supply-demand pressures and export controls.

Under the proposal, less-frequent price assessments that fall on Chinese public holidays will be published on the nearest working day. The prices are being skipped according to the currently pricing holiday schedule. Fortnightly and monthly prices that fall on Chinese public holidays will be assessed and published on the closest working day in the same […]

The rationales have been updated to include the following information: Owing to a UK public holiday on May 5, the Lithium carbonate cif China, Japan & Korea price and Lithium hydroxide cif China, Japan & Korea price will next be published on May 6. This is in accordance with Fastmarkets’ pricing schedule. These prices are part […]