Here are some of the key discussion topics across the battery and critical minerals sectors ahead of Fastmarkets’ Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials conference taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on June 22-25.

Few battery raw materials entered the 2020s with as much momentum as lithium hydroxide. As automakers raced toward electrification, the industry widely expected high-nickel batteries to dominate the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs). Lithium hydroxide, a critical raw material for nickel-rich cathodes, was projected to become one of the battery sector’s fastest-growing products.

Ford’s launch of Ford Energy reflects a clear strategic reset rather than simple diversification. The company is responding to a widening gap between earlier EV assumptions and current market reality, where demand growth has slowed, subsidy support has become less reliable, and large-scale battery investments are now underutilized.

From ultra-fast charging and vertical integration to global expansion and shifting consumer expectations, Stella explains how BYD is redefining what it means to be a carmaker, positioning the vehicle as a technology hub rather than simply a mode of transport.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) lithium carbonate futures contract achieved its second consecutive record monthly trading volume in April, according to CME data.

Why independent benchmarks are quickly becoming the backbone of financial control, cost planning, and supply chain resilience in an era of volatile, supplier indexed contracts.

Accelerating energy storage deployment is reshaping lithium demand, broadening the market beyond electric vehicles (EVs) and reducing reliance on a single growth driver.

Discover how lithium price fluctuations affect BESS markets and procurement strategies

Learn about the recent trends in AI metals costs and their effect on lithium, copper and aluminium prices for energy storage.

Explore the battery raw materials outlook for 2026, highlighting market volatility and shifting geopolitical factors.