Category Archives: China

DOWNLOAD: Lithium, cobalt prices enter new period of volatility as era of EV begins; vanadium awaits lithium ion moment

Batteries, China, Cobalt, EV, Gigafactory, Graphite, Lithium, Tesla, , , , , , , , , ,

Lithium and cobalt prices are experiencing a new period of volatility as prices crest from post-2010 highs. Both speciality minerals that are key components in an electric vehicle’s lithium ion battery began to see a downward turn in 2018. The Benchmark World Tour 2018 – the world’s leading investor forum for lithium ion supply chain … Continue reading DOWNLOAD: Lithium, cobalt prices enter new period of volatility as era of EV begins; vanadium awaits lithium ion moment →

A new era for commodities as sustained lithium price run marks onset of EV demand – Benchmark Minerals

China, EV, Lithium

Prices of lithium carbonate, a key lithium ion battery raw material, have increased nearly 40% in the last 12 months as a wave of global electric vehicle (EV) production begins to have a sustained impact on the industry. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Lithium Carbonate South America (99%, FOB) price – a region which accounts for 68% … Continue reading A new era for commodities as sustained lithium price run marks onset of EV demand – Benchmark Minerals →

Plight of the PRA and how Benchmark became the lithium industry’s reference price

Batteries, Chile, China, Disruptive technology, Energy storage, EV, Lithium, Minerals, Supply Chain, Uncategorised

Since its inception in 2014, the rise of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence as the lithium industry’s reference price has been the ideal case study for how the commodities publishing industry is changing. Scandals such as libor and credit ratings fixes have brought scrutiny (and with it a police raid) on commodity price publishers. This has resulted … Continue reading Plight of the PRA and how Benchmark became the lithium industry’s reference price →

LG Chem / Huayou cobalt deal reshapes cathode landscape for electric vehicle batteries

Batteries, China, Cobalt

Korean battery major LG Chem and China’s Huayou Cobalt have announced a huge deal to launch two plants that will have a significant bearing on the lithium ion battery industry’s cathode direction. The partnership will see a 40,000 tpa lithium ion battery precursor plant and a 40,000 tpa cathode plant being constructed within China over … Continue reading LG Chem / Huayou cobalt deal reshapes cathode landscape for electric vehicle batteries →

HOW CHINA IS RACING AHEAD IN THE ELECTRIC CAR INDUSTRY – BENCHMARK MAKES CHINA DAILY COVER STORY

Batteries, China

This morning in Asia, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence made the cover story of China’s largest read English-language title, China Daily. The feature “Pole Position: From vehicle manufacturing and sales to battery production, China is racing ahead in the electric car industry” was written by industry journalist, Robert Blain, for China Daily, Asia Weekly. It feature quotes from … Continue reading HOW CHINA IS RACING AHEAD IN THE ELECTRIC CAR INDUSTRY – BENCHMARK MAKES CHINA DAILY COVER STORY →

Graphite demand from lithium ion batteries to more than treble in 4 years

Batteries, China, EV, Graphite

Demand for graphite (carbon) used as anode material in lithium ion batteries is set to increase by over 200% in the next four years as global cell production surges on the back of maturing pure electric vehicle demand and the inception of the utility storage market. New data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecasts the anode … Continue reading Graphite demand from lithium ion batteries to more than treble in 4 years →

Chart: Flake graphite capacity utilisation drops below 50%

China, Graphite, Minerals, Uncategorised

Weak flake graphite concentrate demand has forced global capacity utilisation under 50% for a second consecutive year. Flake graphite is used primarily in the steel industry – in refractory bricks and as a recarburising agent – and as a feedstock for battery anodes.  Although there was a marginal increase in production as a result of new … Continue reading Chart: Flake graphite capacity utilisation drops below 50% →

EV surge sees China top Japan as No.1 battery separator producer

Batteries, China, Uncategorised

China has overtaken Japan as the world’s leading producer of battery separators amid strong demand from lithium-ion batteries used in cars. The country’s incredible surge in production of low emissions vehicles in 2015 has seen it overtake in the US as the leading producer with annual growth of 290% compared to 2014. China is expected … Continue reading EV surge sees China top Japan as No.1 battery separator producer →

Benchmark World Tour dates announced

Apple, Batteries, Benchmark, China, Cobalt, EV, Gigafactory, Graphite, Lithium, Tesla

Dissecting the battery revolution: Free, global seminars focusing on battery raw materials, supply chain challenges and opportunities > SPONSOR & SPEAK > DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE  Dates* London  10 September 2015 (click to attend) New York  17 September 2015 (click to attend) Toronto   24 September 2015 (click to attend) Vancouver  1 October 2015 (click to attend) Hong Kong  8 … Continue reading Benchmark World Tour dates announced →

Benchmark #2 launched: Europe’s conflict crackdown

Apple, Batteries, China, Cobalt, conflict minerals, EV, Gigafactory, Graftech, Graphite, Lithium, Rare earths, Supply Chain, Tesla

Download our Q2 magazine which analyses the crackdown on conflict minerals in Europe, the fragile structure of these markets and the logistics involved in transporting them around the world With Europe set to follow in US footsteps with the introduction of conflict mineral legislation, the sustainability of critical mineral markets is set to come under renewed … Continue reading Benchmark #2 launched: Europe’s conflict crackdown →