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| Author | InfoLink |
| Updated | July 08, 2026 |
Lithium ore and lithium salt
Over the past week, prices for spodumene concentrate and battery-grade lithium carbonate have fluctuated while posting a modest recovery.
- Battery-grade lithium carbonate (spot)
Price range: RMB 155,000–165,000/MT
Average price: RMB 160,000/MT
Up 2.6% WoW - Spodumene concentrate (SC6, CIF)
Price range: USD 2,250–2,350/MT
Average price: USD 2,300/MT
Up 2.2% WoW
During the week, the market has been repriced repeatedly in response to updates on the Jianxiawo mine’s resumption of production. While expectations of increased supply have initially pressured futures prices, prices have not decline sharply, indicating that essential downstream procurement and periodic restocking have continued to support prices at lower levels. As market attention has shifted from whether production will resume to how much output will return and when it will stabilize, lithium salt prices have gradually returned to a phase of range-bound recovery.
On the supply side, the restart of the Jianxiawo lithium mine has progressed from expectation to implementation, with market focus now on ramp-up pace and actual volume release. As shown by publicly available information, Yichun Contemporary Amperex Resources has secured a work safety permit for the Zhenkouli–Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yifeng and Fengxin counties, Jiangxi Province. Issued on June 29, 2026, the permit includes a change in the approved mineral type. This development further clarifies the conditions for the project’s restart. However, a ramp-up period is required before stable ore supply is achieved, and its near-term impact on lithium salt supply remains uncertain. If ramp-up begins in July and stabilizes after August, the Jianxiawo project may weigh on mine-side expectations in Q3. Meanwhile, other Jiangxi mines remain suspended for permit renewals, and some planned restarts have yet to fully materialize, highlighting continued unevenness in the pace of mine recovery across the region.
Lithium resource shipments from Zimbabwe are gradually recovering, though port arrivals remain inconsistent. Tight feedstock supply is affecting some lithium salt producers, and localized production cuts may occur in July. Market inventory data varies across methodologies. Around the mid-year earnings reporting period, mismatches between upstream shipments and downstream cargo pickup may amplify short-term inventory fluctuations. On the demand side, midstream production schedules remain at high levels, with LFP cathode output continuing to rise. Energy storage cell demand keeps growing, while the EV segment benefits from improving exports and seasonal restocking, supporting overall demand.
Overall, the market has largely priced in the Jianxiawo project’s production resumption. Looking forward, price trends will depend more on the verification of actual ramp-up progress, lithium salt inventories, and midstream production schedules. Lithium prices above RMB 200,000/MT have significantly compressed margins across material producers, cell manufacturers, and downstream projects. Excessively high raw material prices will dampen downstream willingness to take delivery and restock. As a result, lithium carbonate prices still have some support on the downside in Q4, but the basis for sustain high price levels remains insufficient. In the near term, prices are expected to remain range-bound.
Energy storage cells in China
Over the past week, transaction prices for China’s LFP energy storage cells have slightly declined. Prices are as follows:
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100 Ah: RMB 0.425–0.485/Wh, averaging RMB 0.455/Wh (flat)
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280 Ah: RMB 0.345–0.400/Wh, averaging RMB 0.373/Wh (down 1.3% WoW)
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314 Ah: RMB 0.345–0.400/Wh, averaging RMB 0.373/Wh (down 0.7% WoW)
Lithium carbonate prices have recently fluctuated within RMB 150,000–170,000/MT. Cost pressure on cathode material has eased, leading to a slight downward shift in transaction prices for some medium- and large-capacity products. In contrast, 100 Ah product prices remain stable, supported by demand from residential ESS and non-China user-side applications.
Cell manufacturers remain cautious on pricing. While lower raw material costs have improved customers’ willingness to take delivery, existing orders, inventory costs, and project timelines will delay cost pass-through. Supply of 280 Ah and 314 Ah products is ample, with intense project competition leaving some room for price negotiations in newly signed orders. Demand for 100 Ah and some smaller-capacity products remains relatively strong, supporting prices. Structurally, 314 Ah remains the mainstream specification for utility-scale ESS project deliveries, while products above 500 Ah are still in the validation phase and have yet to impact the mainstream market. In the near term, cell prices are expected to fluctuate within a narrow range. Medium- and large-capacity products may experience slight adjustments in response to raw material price changes, while smaller-capacity products are likely to remain more resilient.
Energy storage system (ESS) in China
Transaction prices for electrochemical ESS in China have shown little change for the past week. Prices are as follows:
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DC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (2h): RMB 0.46–0.53/Wh, averaging RMB 0.50/Wh (flat)
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AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (1h): RMB 0.81-0.87/Wh, averaging RMB 0.84/Wh (flat)
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AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (2h): RMB 0.52-0.63/Wh, averaging RMB 0.58/Wh (down 0.9% WoW)
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AC-side liquid-cooled containerized ESS (4h): RMB 0.50-0.55/Wh, averaging RMB 0.53/Wh (flat)
The modest decline in cell prices has not yet translated notably to lower system-level costs. System integration continues to incur costs for PCS, thermal management, fire protection, EMS, installation, delivery, and warranties. With integration margins remaining tight, overall system prices have stayed stable.
Recent tender results show that competition in the ESS market remains intense. On July 7, two PV-plus-storage projects at the Gansu Tengger Desert Hexi New Energy Base opened bids. The projects include a combined 900 MW/1.8 GWh of supporting energy storage capacity, with more than 20 companies participating in the tender. Overall bid prices ranged from around RMB 0.530–0.625/Wh. The Huanghuatan project includes 480 MW/960 MWh of energy storage capacity, while the Hongsagang project includes 420 MW/840 MWh. Both projects recorded an average bid price of approximately RMB 0.56/Wh.
These projects require strong track records in source-grid-side ESS system delivery and extensive experience in large-capacity project execution, indicating that price competition remains in the segment. Winning bids are no longer determined solely by low prices. Factors such as delivery scale, project experience, and equipment configuration are increasingly critical.
Recent price volatility in lithium battery materials warrants attention. In the separator segment, long capacity expansion cycles, extended equipment lead times, and stringent customer qualification requirements limit short-term supply elasticity compared to other materials. If downstream battery production remains elevated, price increases among smaller customers may extend to larger clients, offering modest support for cell and system costs. Separators represent a small portion of total ESS value. As a result, their influence is more likely to be reflected in cell manufacturers’ cost floors and price expectations, rather than directly drive rapid increases in system transaction prices. Overall, ESS prices are expected to remain largely stable in the near term. Going forward, the market should continue to monitor cost pass-through from cells, separators, and other segments, as well as pricing trends in utility-scale project tenders.