Battery Materials Market Intelligence
Market Snapshot: Week of November 13, 2025
LiPF₆ reaches new extreme at $18,348/t (+11.6% WoW) as crisis deepens. LCE rebounds strongly to $12,279/t (+8.8% WoW) on futures rally. LFP climbs to $5,420/t (+3.4%) on demand strength. Anode materials stable at $7,551/t despite rising costs. Natural graphite steady ahead of winter production cuts.
Anode Market
→
Stable at $7,551/t (high-end). Orders increase from battery plants. Major producers at full capacity. GPC partially rises pressuring costs.
Cathode Market
↑
NCM rises: 5-series at $19,971/t (+1.7%). 8-series at $22,611/t (+1.4%). LFP up 3.4% to $5,420/t. LCO stable at $53,775/t.
Lithium Market
↑
LCE rebounds to $12,279/t (+8.8% WoW). LiOH steady at $10,755/t (+0.3%). Futures rally sharply driving spot higher. Range vibration expected.
Electrolyte Chain
↑↑↑
LiPF₆ soars to $18,348/t (+11.6% WoW). VC jumps to $12,350/t (+52.2%). FEC rises to $7,763/t (+25.1%). Further RMB 5-10k/t expected.
Anode Chain: Stable Despite Raw Material Pressure
Synthetic graphite holds at $7,551/t (high-end) as petroleum coke remains at $631/t (Daqing). Orders increase from energy storage and EV battery markets. Major large producers reach full-load production while smaller firms produce on sales. Low-sulfur GPC rises partially, pressuring costs. Mid-sulfur CPC drops to $430/t (-1.6%). Needle coke stable at $832/t. Natural spherical graphite steady at $1,341-1,553/t. Anode producers intend to raise prices under cost pressure. Short-term outlook: stable with potential for slight increases.
Anode Material Prices (Avg. USD/t)
Key Feedstock Trends (USD/t)
Natural Graphite: Lackluster Ahead of Winter Cuts
Natural graphite markets perform lackluster with soft demand. Spherical graphite (big) holds at $1,341/t in Northeast China with Shandong premium at $1,553/t. Flake graphite 195 steady at $395-423/t. Few Jixi plants produce while only individual Luobei plants operate. Refractory plants slow procurement and anode makers reduce purchases. Many plants plan shutdown this month. Current inventory rises slightly on slow shipment. Market expected stable-and-weak near term as Northeast production cuts approach.
Spherical Graphite by Region (USD/t)
Flake Graphite Grades (USD/t)
Cathode Materials: Upward Movement on Raw Material Strength
NCM mounts with 5-series at $19,971/t (+1.7% WoW) and 8-series at $22,611/t (+1.4%). Precursor moves up to $13,404-15,081/t. LFP nudges up 3.4% to $5,420/t on lithium carbonate and iron phosphate strength. LCO stable at $53,775/t on cobaltosic oxide at $49,047/t. LMO edges up to $5,293/t (+1.4% WoW) for dynamical MnO2 type. Mid-high nickel demand robust from power market. Consumer electronics recovers mildly. Near-term: fluctuations expected upward.
Cathode Materials Pricing (USD/t)
LCO vs LFP Trend
Lithium Markets: Strong Rebound on Futures Rally
Battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) bounces back 8.8% to $12,279/t as futures ramp up sharply. Industrial-grade (99.2%) rises to $11,997/t. Northwest China capacity gradually releases while large producers maintain high output. Downstream takes cargoes on rigid demand. LiOH granular inches up 0.3% to $10,755/t on spodumene support. LiOH enterprises with own resources hold normal production while outside purchasers keep low production. Market outlook: vibrate within range near term.
Lithium Carbonate & Hydroxide (USD/t)
LCE Historical Trend
Electrolyte Chain: LiPF₆ Crisis Reaches RMB 130,000/t
LiPF₆ rocketed to $18,348/t (+11.6% WoW, +$1,912/t) reaching RMB 130,000/t milestone. LiF hiked up with industrial at $20,254/t, battery at $20,465/t. VC skyrocketed 52.2% to $12,350/t. FEC jumped 25.1% to $7,763/t. EC stable at $699/t. Market anticipates further RMB 5-10k/t increases for LiPF₆. Individual producers plan capacity increases recently. Electrolyte enterprises hold good production driving bullish LiPF₆ demand.
LiPF₆ Price (Avg. USD/t)
$18,348
Up 11.6% WoW (+$1,912) - New extreme
FEC Price (Avg. USD/t)
$7,763
Up 25.1% WoW - Supply tightens
VC Price (Avg. USD/t)
$12,350
Up 52.2% WoW - Explosive rally
Electrolyte Components Weekly Change (%)
📰 Key Market Events This Week
Significant developments impacting the battery materials supply chain
LiPF₆ Reaches RMB 130,000/t Milestone
⚡ Historic High - Crisis Deepens
LiPF₆ rocketed to RMB 130,000/t ($18,348/t), up 11.6% WoW as electrolyte demand remains strong. Market expects further RMB 5-10k/t increases ahead. Individual producers planning new capacity but supply remains critically tight.
Impact: Battery costs up ~$800 per EV since September. Electrolyte now accounts for 15-20% of cell cost vs historical 5-8%. Crisis expected through Q1 2026.
VC Skyrockets 52% in Single Week
🚀 Additive Crisis Spreads
Vinylene carbonate (VC) explodes to $12,350/t, up 52.2% WoW as supply tightens dramatically. FEC also jumps 25.1% to $7,763/t. Entire electrolyte additive chain under severe stress.
Impact: Critical additives for battery safety and performance face unprecedented shortage. VC and FEC essential for SEI formation. Battery makers scrambling for supply.
Lithium Carbonate Rebounds 8.8%
📈 Futures Rally Drives Spot
LCE battery-grade bounces back to $12,279/t (+8.8% WoW) as futures ramp up sharply. Northwest China capacity gradually releases but downstream purchases remain on rigid demand basis.
Impact: Lithium finds new equilibrium after brief retreat. Market expects range-bound trading $11,500-12,500/t. Supply remains structurally tight despite capacity additions.
Market Outlook
The battery materials market faces unprecedented pressure as the electrolyte crisis intensifies. LiPF₆'s rally to $18,348/t (+11.6%) marks a new extreme, with the RMB 130,000/t milestone signaling potential for further gains of RMB 5-10k/t. The shocking 52.2% surge in VC to $12,350/t and FEC's 25.1% jump reveal the crisis spreading across the entire electrolyte chain, potentially adding $1,000+ to EV battery costs. Lithium carbonate's 8.8% rebound to $12,279/t adds further cost pressure on cathode producers. With Northeast China graphite production cuts imminent and electrolyte components at historic highs, battery costs face significant upward pressure through Q1 2026. The divergence between stable anode prices and soaring electrolyte costs creates unprecedented margin challenges for cell manufacturers.
Need Expert Guidance on Battery Materials?
Get strategic insights on synthetic graphite production, anode materials scale-up, natural graphite processing, and market dynamics from industry experts.
Schedule a ConsultationSubscribe to Weekly Market Updates
Get the latest battery materials pricing data and market analysis delivered to your inbox every week.
Thank you for subscribing!
You'll receive your first market update next week.