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| Author | InfoLink |
| Updated | August 20, 2025 |
Lithium mine and lithium salt
Lithium spodumene concentrate and lithium carbonate prices have risen sharply in recent weeks. Updates as of August 20:
- Spodumene concentrate (SC6, CIF):
Price range: USD 945–955/MT
Average price: USD 950/MT
Early August average: USD 765/MT
Change: up over 20% - Battery-grade lithium carbonate (spot):
Price range: RMB 82,000–86,000/MT
Average price: RMB 84,000/MT
Early August average: RMB 69,000/MT
Change: up over 20%
The recent price hikes for lithium carbonate and spodumene have been primarily driven by production cuts on the supply-side. According to market sources, CATL suspended production at its Jianxiawo base on August 9, with no near-term plans for resumption. The shutdown of this plant and its supporting lithium salt plant is expected to reduce China’s monthly lithium carbonate supply by 10%, shifting the market balance from surplus to tightness. In response, lithium carbonate prices have entered a rapid upward trajectory since August 10. On August 19, Yichun Silver Lithium New Energy announced the completion of maintenance (in place since July 25), with production set to resume shortly, leading to a modest price correction.
Supply-side disruptions, however, have not yet been fully resolved. Meanwhile, end-market demand in Q3 has remained robust, and downstream manufacturers have shown greater acceptance of high lithium carbonate prices. In the short term, lithium carbonate prices are likely to remain volatile at elevated levels.
Energy storage cells in China
ESS cell prices have edged up slightly. According to the latest data, prices for LFP prismatic cells are as follows:
- 100 Ah: RMB 0.330–0.400/Wh, averaging RMB 0.365/Wh.
- 280 Ah: RMB 0.260–0.330/Wh, averaging RMB 0.295/Wh.
- 314 Ah: RMB 0.250–0.340/Wh, averaging RMB 0.295/Wh.
This month, rising prices of lithium carbonate and cathode material have pushed up cell quotes from leading manufacturers by RMB 0.005–0.01/Wh. In the short term, prices of lithium salt and cathode material may remain high and continue to support cell prices.
Energy storage system (ESS) in China
ESS prices have remained stable. Prices are as follows, based on the latest data:
- DC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (2h): RMB 0.36–0.43/Wh, averaging RMB 0.40/Wh.
- AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (1h): RMB 0.74–0.80/Wh, averaging RMB 0.77/Wh.
- AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (2h): RMB 0.44–0.53/Wh, averaging RMB 0.48/Wh.
- AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (4h): RMB 0.40–0.46/Wh, averaging RMB 0.43/Wh.
Competition in the energy storage integration segment remains more intense than in the cell segment, leaving integrators with weaker bargaining power. Upstream pressure from rising cell prices has yet to be passed through to downstream, suggesting that prices for integration solutions may remain low.