Proposal to increase frequency of exw China battery-grade lithium carbonate, hydroxide assessments: pricing notice

Fastmarkets proposes to increase the frequency of its MB-LI-0036 lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China assessment and MB-LI-0040 lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China assessment.

Fastmarkets proposes to assess and publish its lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China and lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China assessments on a daily basis, rather than on the previous weekly basis.

The proposal follows Fastmarkets’ observation that these two commodities see active spot liquidity and their prices experience great volatility, suggesting that a higher assessment frequency will enable Fastmarkets to reflect their spot market dynamics in a more timely manner.

The proposed new specifications for the prices are as follows, with the amendment in italics:

MB-LI-0036 Lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China, yuan/ tonne
Quality: Powder, accepted by buyer for use in battery applications and with the chemical composition: Li2CO3 99.5% min; Na 0.025% max; Ca 0.005% max; Mg 0.008% max; magnetic impurities 300ppb max
Quantity: Min 5 tonnes
Location: Ex-works China, VAT included
Timing: 30 days
Unit: CNY/tonne
Publication:Daily, 4pm London

MB-LI-0040 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O, 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range exw domestic China, yuan/tonne
Quality: Powder, accepted by buyer for use in battery applications and with the chemical composition LiOH 56.5% min; CO2 <0.35%; Ca 0.005% max; SO4 0.01% max; Cl- 0.002% max
Quantity: Min 5 tonnes
Location: Ex-works China, VAT included
Timing: 30 days
Unit: CNY/tonne
Publication:Daily, 4pm London

These prices are a part of Fastmarkets industrial minerals package.

The consultation for this proposed amendment starts from Monday October 21 and will end on Monday November 18. The change in frequency will then take place, subject to market feedback, from Monday November 25.

To provide feedback on these prices or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to these prices, please contact Zihao Li by email at: pricing@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Zihao Li, re: China battery-grade lithium prices.”

Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.

What to read next
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.
All of Fastmarkets’ China domestic price assessments published in its PPI Asia publication and the Fastmarkets platform will continue. The full list of UM Paper-branded prices to be discontinued can be found via the link below: https://www.fastmarkets.com/uploads/2025/07/All-UMPaper-Discontinuing-Markets-2025-1.pdf Fastmarkets remains fully committed to delivering trusted, independent, and transparent pricing for the Chinese pulp and paper market. Fastmarkets will continue […]
The publication of Fastmarkets’ AG-PLM-0019 refined bleached deodorised (RBD) palm olein, cfr South China assessment for Thursday July 24 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
The Detroit, Michigan-based automotive giant General Motors (GM) and the Carson City, Nevada-based lithium batteries recycler Redwood Materials announced on Wednesday July 16 that they have agreed to build energy storage systems (ESSs) using both new and recycled batteries.
Fastmarkets has launched a MB-STE-0935 Steel reinforcing bar (rebar), differential to shredded auto scrap Chicago, fob mill US, $/gross ton to complement its existing suite of steelmaking raw materials to finished product differentials on Wednesday July 23. This strategic launch is designed to offer the market a single reference price denoting the differential between steel […]