Processing Startup for Lithium
Around 40 companies in Canada and the United States and 50 companies in Europe began lithium battery recycling operations in 2023, expanding global recycling capacity.
Lithium trade
Lithium carbonate is a key mineral commodity used to produce lithium-ion batteries, which power many portable electronics and electric vehicles. In addition to battery production, lithium carbonate is also used in various industrial applications such as the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and certain pharmaceuticals that treat bipolar disorder. The compound's chemical properties make it an essential component in numerous chemical processes requiring lithium, further solidifying its importance in the global economy.
Lithium carbonate is a key mineral commodity used to produce lithium-ion batteries, which power many portable electronics and electric vehicles.
In addition to battery production, lithium carbonate is also used in various industrial applications such as the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and certain pharmaceuticals that treat bipolar disorder.
The compound's chemical properties make it an essential component in numerous chemical processes requiring lithium, further solidifying its importance in the global economy.
Country-level reported imports and exports by year.
Net export flows between reporting partners filtered by global trade share.
Bilateral trade structure for the selected year.
Market intelligence
Around 40 companies in Canada and the United States and 50 companies in Europe began lithium battery recycling operations in 2023, expanding global recycling capacity.
The Chinese Government's decade-long subsidies for electric vehicle purchases expired in 2023, contributing to lithium oversupply and price decline.
Lithium reserves for Argentina were revised to 3,600,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Australia were revised to 56,200,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Brazil were revised to 390,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Canada were revised to 930,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Chile were revised to 9,300,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for China were revised to 3,000,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Portugal were revised to 60,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for the United States were revised to 1,100,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Lithium reserves for Zimbabwe were revised to 310,000 metric tons for 2023 based on company and government reports.
Measured and indicated lithium resources worldwide were revised upwards due to new exploration data, increasing total resources to approximately 105 million tons.
Measured and indicated lithium resources in other countries were revised to 91 million tons in 2023 based on new exploration data.
Measured and indicated lithium resources in the United States were revised to 14 million tons in 2023 based on new exploration data.
U.S. Department of Energy selected 12 lithium-based projects funded with $1.6 billion from the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support new domestic lithium extraction, processing, battery component manufacturing, recycling, and technology development.
U.S. DOE selected 12 lithium-based projects funded with $1.6 billion under the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support new commercial-scale domestic lithium facilities.
The 2022 U.S. Inflation Reduction Act added tax incentives to consolidate sourcing of battery materials and manufacturing of EVs to North American and U.S.-partner countries.
Construction of lithium battery recycling plants accelerated, with 44 companies in Canada beginning or planning to start operations as of November 2022.
Construction of lithium battery recycling plants accelerated, with 44 companies in the United States beginning or planning to start operations as of November 2022.
Sichuan Tianqi Lithium announced plans to double production capacity to 48,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate at the Greenbushes mine, beginning in late 2019.
Talison Lithium (Sichuan Tianqi Lithium/Albemarle) announced a mine expansion at the Greenbushes mine to increase production to 165,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate.
Albemarle announced a further expansion of lithium carbonate capacity to 100,000 t/yr, indicating continued growth in its Chilean production.
Lithium reserves for Argentina were revised upward based on new government and industry data.
Lithium reserves for Australia were revised upward based on new government and industry data.
No events match the selected year.