Battery Materials Market Intelligence
Market Snapshot: Week of October 30, 2025
LiPF₆ extends explosive rally to $14,603/t (+15.1% WoW) as fluorine crisis deepens. LCE rises to $11,640/t with futures indicating further gains. LCO reaches $53,757/t on cobalt supply squeeze. Anode materials remain stable despite rising petroleum coke costs. Natural graphite markets approach winter production cuts.
Anode Market
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Stable at $7,549/t (high-end). Supply rises slightly as demand improves from power/storage markets. Margins pressured by rising GPC to $595/t.
Cathode Market
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LCO climbs to $53,757/t (+1.7% WoW). NCM 5-series up to $19,570/t. LFP rises to $5,221/t on lithium cost push and strong demand.
Lithium Market
↑↑
LCE surges to $11,640/t (+8.0% WoW). LiOH rises to $10,688/t (granular). Markets establish higher floor on tight supply dynamics.
Electrolyte Chain
↑↑↑
LiPF₆ soars to $14,603/t (+15.1% WoW) on fluorine crisis. VC jumps to $7,972/t. FEC rises to $6,208/t. Further increases expected.
Anode Chain: Stability Amid Rising Feedstock Pressure
Synthetic graphite holds at $7,549/t (high-end) despite petroleum coke rising to $595/t (+1.2% WoW). Downstream battery cell demand improves gradually from new-energy auto and energy storage markets. Supply increases slightly as producers lift output. Mid-sulfur CPC climbs to $395/t (+8.2% WoW), while needle coke remains stable at $832/t. Natural graphite consolidates with spherical at $1,340-1,552/t. Winter production cuts in Northeast China approach.
Anode Material Prices (Avg. USD/t)
Key Feedstock Trends (USD/t)
Natural Graphite: Winter Production Cuts Loom
Natural graphite markets remain stable ahead of seasonal shutdowns. Spherical graphite (big) holds at $1,340/t in Northeast China while Shandong commands premium at $1,552/t. Flake graphite 195 steady at $395-423/t. Northeast China plants prepare for November production cuts. Some plants with high inventory continue destocking. Refractory demand remains weak with anode materials providing primary support. Market expected to remain stable-to-firm through winter period.
Spherical Graphite by Region (USD/t)
Flake Graphite Grades (USD/t)
Cathode Materials: Continued Cost Push from Raw Materials
LCO advances to $53,757/t (+1.7% WoW) as cobaltosic oxide rises to $49,031/t. NCM materials gain with 8-series at $22,307/t and 5-series at $19,570/t on precursor strength of $13,336-15,020/t. LFP climbs to $5,221/t (+4.1% WoW) on lithium carbonate surge and improving power/storage demand. LMO stable at $5,221/t for dynamical type. Cathode producers pass through costs as downstream acceptance improves.
Cathode Materials Pricing (USD/t)
LCO vs LFP Trend
Lithium Markets: Sustained Rally on Supply Tightness
Battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) surges to $11,640/t (+8.0% WoW), breaking through resistance levels. Industrial-grade (99.2%) rises to $11,499/t. LCE futures trading extremely active with limited spot availability. Major producers commit to long-term contracts with minimal spot offerings. LiOH granular climbs to $10,688/t (+1.4%) on strong spodumene costs. Markets expected to fluctuate strongly with upward bias.
Lithium Carbonate & Hydroxide (USD/t)
LCE Historical Trend
Electrolyte Chain: LiPF₆ Crisis Intensifies Further
LiPF₆ extends explosive rally to $14,603/t (+15.1% WoW) as fluorine feedstock shortage worsens. AHF market remains critically tight with falling prices pressuring margins. LiF rises to $19,118/t (industrial) on raw material surge. Electrolyte producers face severe margin squeeze. VC jumps 5.7% to $7,972/t while FEC rises 2.4% to $6,208/t. Market expects further RMB 5-10k/t increases ahead. LiFSI stable at $9,171/t.
LiPF₆ Price (Avg. USD/t)
$14,603
Up 15.1% WoW (+$1,917) - Crisis deepens
FEC Price (Avg. USD/t)
$6,208
Up 2.4% WoW (+$147) on tight supply
VC Price (Avg. USD/t)
$7,972
Up 5.7% WoW (+$431) extending gains
Electrolyte Components Weekly Change (%)
📰 Key Market Events This Week
Significant developments impacting the battery materials supply chain
LiPF₆ Crisis Reaches Critical Level
⚡ Electrolyte Emergency
LiPF₆ extends rally to RMB 103,500/t (+15.1% WoW) as fluorine feedstock crisis deepens. AHF supply remains extremely tight. Some producers expect further RMB 5-10k/t increases in coming weeks.
Impact: Battery pack costs rising $200-400 per EV. Some electrolyte producers considering production cuts. Market expects continued volatility through Q1 2026.
Lithium Carbonate Breaks Resistance
📈 Supply Squeeze
LCE battery-grade surges 8.0% to $11,640/t, breaking through $11,500 resistance. Major smelters hold firm on offers with limited spot availability. Futures market indicates further gains ahead.
Impact: New price floor established above $11,500/t. Cathode producers face margin pressure. Market expects range of $11,500-12,500/t near-term.
Graphite Winter Cuts Approach
❄️ Seasonal Impact
Natural graphite plants in Northeast China prepare for November production cuts. Several plants already halted operations. Supply expected to tighten through winter months.
Impact: Spherical graphite supply to tighten. Anode materials producers building inventory. Prices expected to firm through winter period.
Market Outlook
The battery materials market enters a critical phase with multiple supply constraints converging. LiPF₆'s 15.1% weekly surge to $14,603/t signals the electrolyte bottleneck is worsening, potentially adding $300-500 to EV battery costs. Lithium carbonate's 8.0% jump to $11,640/t confirms the market has found a new floor above $11,500/t. With Northeast China graphite production cuts starting in November and petroleum coke costs rising, the entire supply chain faces cost pressures heading into year-end. Battery costs likely to increase 8-12% in Q4 2025, with electrolyte components driving the majority of inflation.
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