China 2022 lithium production jumps on strong demand, soaring prices

CHINA’S lithium production expanded strongly in 2022, an industry association said, buoyed by strong demand from the new energy sector and soaring prices.

China produced 395,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate last year, up 32.5 per cent year on year, according to China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

Its output of lithium hydroxide climbed 29.5 per cent to 246,400 tonnes.

Both lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are mainly used in battery making for electric vehicles (EVs).

“Solid demand and surging prices stimulated Chinese producers to ramp up their production as well as to expand capacity, while the improved supply of lithium minerals also enabled more output,” said Susan Zou, vice-president at Rystad Energy.

She expects production growth to remain strong in 2023, but did not provide a forecast.

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Top producers including Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi Lithium have outlined plans to raise capacity in coming years and made efforts to boost investment in overseas mining resources to secure raw materials supplies.

Sales in the world’s largest and fast-growing EV market surged 93.4 per cent last year to 6.89 million units, while production rose 97.5 per cent to 7.22 million units, according to data from China Passenger Car Association.

The bullish demand combined with constrained supply has boosted lithium prices.

Spot prices for lithium carbonate hit an all-time high last November at 597,500 yuan (S$116,111.71) a tonne, as assessed by Fastmarkets, up 202.5 per cent from 197,500 yuan around the same time a year earlier.

The prices were last assessed at 477,500 yuan on Jan 19, reflecting softened sentiment ahead of the New Year holiday when spot demand is typically weak, and also amid the expectation of a loosening supply deficit in the coming years as production continues to ramp up. REUTERS