Supply-demand dynamics and key trends in the lithium market with Corinne Blanchard, Deutsche Bank

Hear from Corinne Blanchard, an equity research analyst at Deutsche Bank, as she shares her views on supply-demand dynamics and the top three topics being discussed in the lithium industry at the moment

In this video interview with Corinne Blanchard, an equity research analyst at Deutsche Bank, we asked her about the suppy-demand dynamics in the lithium market, as well as the key trends that market participants should be aware of.

Watch the full video interview with Corinne or read the key takeaways below.

Supply-demand dynamics in the lithium market

On supply and demand, we see a very tight market condition right now where we see a very strong, fast-paced environment for demand. This is driven by electric vehicle (EV) demand in China, while on the other side you have supply that is growing.

The supply-side is also facing challenges and not growing at the same pace versus demand, which definitely has created some imbalance in the market that will continue over the year.

Three key topics driving the lithium industry

  1. Pricing: Spot versus contract pricing
  2. Localization of supply: Supply in North and South America, as well as the development of lithium in Africa or in China
  3. Geopolitics in the lithium market: The potential risk for nationalization of some of the assets in South America as well as the increase in environmental, social and governance (ESG) scrutiny and the potential impact on royalty rates

Understand more about the risks and opportunities to the market

Corinne was one of many experts to take the stage at the recent Fastmarkets Lithium Supply & Battery Raw Materials conference held in Phoenix in June, 2022.

You can read more about the topics covered and what we learned from this event when you click here. This includes seeing some of the highlights from the event on video.

Take a deep dive into some of the other factors at play in the lithium and battery raw materials market with three of our most recent reports. Simply click the link to each one below to read more:

  1. The risky road ahead for electric vehicles
  2. Why unconventional lithium resources shouldn’t divert focus of the market to address supply shortages
  3. The EV battery chemistry debate just got more complicated

Visit our dedicated battery raw materials page to discover more insights on the factors at play in the industry in 2022 and beyond.

What to read next
As CBAM and the EU ETS reshape cost structures across Europe’s automotive supply chains, OEMs are under growing pressure to protect margins while navigating opaque carbon pass-through.
Fastmarkets is proposing to change quality and tonnage specifications in its global suite of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate price assessments. These will include the benchmark assessments of the MB-LI-0033 lithium hydroxide monohydrate, LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price, cif China, Japan & Korea, and the MB-LI-0029 lithium carbonate, 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot […]
Fastmarkets launches payables indicators for nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) cathode black powder, CIF China, on Wednesday May 13. This launch comes following significant demand from Fastmarkets subscribers for increased transparency around prices for higher-grade battery recycling raw materials, given rising spot trading volumes. These new prices are the first of their kind, believed to be […]
Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The prices were published with a delay on May 12. The following prices were affected:MB-LI-0036 Lithium carbonate 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price range, exw domestic China, yuan per tonne MB-LI-0040 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O, 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price range, exw domestic China, yuan per tonne These […]
Capital is flowing back into junior mining, but selectively. Investment is increasingly favouring development‑stage assets with clearer paths to production, supported by government funding and strategic partnerships. While demand for critical minerals underpins the cycle, early‑stage explorers continue to struggle for capital as investors prioritise discipline, ESG alignment and near‑term cash flow.
US-based Lyten is linking its battery manufacturing ambitions to the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure, while using former Northvolt assets to accelerate its scale-up, its chief marketing officer said in an interview on Thursday April 23.