Lithium decreased 750 CNY/T or 1.00% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lithium - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on March of 2025.

In 2022, the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate stood at 71,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton. This figure is by far the highest price for battery-grade lithium carbonate recorded in the period of consideration. For 2024, lithium carbonate price was estimated at 14,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton. Lithium is a highly reactive soft and silvery-white alkali metal. As the third element in the periodic table, it has 3 protons in its nucleus and three electrons around it. Because it is highly reactive, it cannot be found in its pure form in nature. Lithium is the least dense of solid elements and the lightest out of all metals. Lithium and batteries One of lithium’s most well-known end uses is in lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and mostly used in portable electronics and electronic vehicles. In lithium-ion batteries, the lithium ions move from the negative electrode to positive electrode while in use, and the process is reversed while charging. These batteries are highly flammable but are also low-maintenance. They have a high energy density and a low self-discharge. Some drawbacks include the fact that they are expensive to manufacture, and that they require protection circuits to maintain the voltage safely. Lithium-ion batteries are also the single-largest end use of lithium, amounting to an 87 percent share of global lithium consumption in 2024. Lithium demand forecasts Looking to the future, lithium demand is forecast to stand at 1.4 million tons by 2025. This growth will be mainly driven by lithium-ion battery demand for electric vehicles. Demand is expected to remain the highest in China, which will consistently account for half of global lithium-ion battery demand.

In April 2023, the price of Lithium Carbonate was reported at $67,831 per ton (CIF, Japan), a 1.6% increase compared to the previous month.

In 2025, the price of 99% lithium carbonate is projected to be around 7.60 U.S. dollars per kilogram.

Growing global lithium demand

There has been a steady increase in battery demand globally, which in turn becomes a strong driver of lithium usage in the future. However, producers have been unable to keep up with the demand. In 2025, global lithium demand is expected to reach 4,450 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent for non-rechargeable batteries. The 2018 annual average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate was 17,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton, increased from the 15,000 U.S. dollars in the previous year.

Lithium demand by application Lithium has many end use applications aside from batteries. For example, demand for lithium in ceramics is anticipated to reach 51,788 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent in 2025. Another example is that the demand for lithium in polymers is expected to grow to 12,624 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2025, from the 2018 demand which was 9,873 metric tons.

In May 2023, the price of Lithium Carbonate was $13,739 per ton (CIF, Germany), experiencing a decrease of -30.6% compared to the previous month.

Lithium-ion battery pack price dropped to 115 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour in 2024, down from over 144 dollars per kilowatt-hour a year earlier. Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most efficient energy storage devices worldwide. Over recent years, high-scale production and capital investment into the battery production process made lithium-ion battery packs cheaper and more efficient. This demonstrates a staggering demand for energy storage worldwide and could be attributed to the fact that the world is moving towards a renewable energy-based economy where electric vehicles play an increasingly large role. Electric vehicle sales Individuals, organizations, and governments aim to reduce their environmental footprint, as the awareness about the consequences of climate change becomes more widespread. To contribute to a greener society, they promote the growth of the electric vehicle market to make transportation more sustainable and less polluting. When it comes to the sales volume of electric vehicles, the trend is staggeringly positive. For instance, global plug-in electric light vehicle (PEV) sales have progressively increased since 2015, surpassing 13.7 million units sold in 2023. Environmental impact Incorrect disposal of Li-ion batteries can have a devastating environmental impact on the environment, sparking the need for recycling. The global market for lithium-ion battery recycling is expected to reach 13.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. This figure compares to around 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

Find out the United Kingdom's import price for lithium carbonate in November 2022 and how it compares to previous months. Learn about the major supplying countries and their prices.

The statistic depicts the annual average price for 99 percent LCE lithium chemicals worldwide from 2008 to 2014. In 2010, the average annual price for 99% LCE lithium chemicals was 5.16 U.S. dollars per kilogram. Increase in battery demand will be a strong driver of lithium consumption in the near future but producers are currently limited in their ability to match demands.

In June 2023, the price of Lithium Carbonate was $46,148 per ton (CIF, Canada), experiencing a significant increase of 473% compared to the previous month.

6896 Global import shipment records of Lithium with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

In February 2023, the lithium carbonate price amounted to $59,733 per ton (CIF, France), increasing by 42% against the previous month.

The lithium-ion storage batteries imported to the United States from China accounted for the lowest import price in 2024, at 16.9 U.S. dollars per kilogram. On the contrary, lithium-ion storage batteries from Japan accounted for the highest import price that year.

The US Lithium Fluoride market in Q4 2024 exhibited a volatile price trajectory, primarily driven by persistent oversupply and subdued demand. The quarter commenced with relatively stable prices amidst an oversupplied market, with excess supply outpacing current demand, leading to downward pressure on prices. While there were initial signs of production cuts by Chinese producers, their impact was limited. Subsequently, prices experienced a brief period of upward movement driven by the import of higher-priced goods.

In 2023, purchases abroad of lithium carbonates decreased by -48.7% to 2.8K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a three-year rising trend.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Lithium Air Battery market size will be USD 11245.6 million in 2025. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.60%from 2025 to 2033.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 4498.24 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2033.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 3373.68 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 2586.49 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2025 to 2033.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 562.28 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0% from 2025 to 2033.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 224.91 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% from 2025 to 2033.
The automotive segment is the dominant end-use category in the Lithium Air Battery market, primarily due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

Market Dynamics of Lithium Air Battery Market

Key Drivers for Lithium Air Battery Market

Growing Demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) to Boost Market Growth

The rising global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant driver for the Lithium Air Battery market. As governments worldwide push for cleaner, greener transportation options, the automotive industry is transitioning to electric vehicles, which require advanced energy storage solutions. Lithium Air batteries are considered a promising option due to their high-energy density, which allows EVs to travel longer distances on a single charge. As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, the demand for more efficient, lightweight, and high-capacity batteries, such as Lithium Air batteries, will continue to rise, driving market growth. For instance, In January 2022, researchers at Japan's National Institute of Materials (NIMS) and Softbank Corp. announced the development of a lithium-air battery with an energy density of over 500Wh/kg, which is significantly higher than current lithium-ion batteries

(Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220120140724.htm)

Increasing Demand for Renewable Energy Storage to Drive Market Growth

Another key driver for the Lithium Air Battery market is the growing need for energy storage solutions in renewable energy systems. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind, the challenge of intermittency arises. Lithium Air batteries are highly suitable for storing excess energy generated during peak production periods and discharging it when demand is high. This ability to store large amounts of energy for later use makes Lithium Air batteries ideal for integrating renewable energy into the grid, boosting the demand for these batteries in energy storage systems and supporting their market growth.

Restraint Factor for the Lithium Air Battery Market

High Manufacturing Costs and Complexity, will Limit Market Growth

Despite the promising benefits, one major restraint to the widespread adoption of Lithium Air batteries is their high manufacturing costs and the complexity of production. The technology required to manufacture these batteries is still in its developmental stages, and the materials used are expensive and difficult to source. Additionally, the production process involves intricate steps that add to the cost. As a result, the high cost of Lithium Air batteries poses a significant barrier for large-scale adoption, particularly in industries where cost-effectiveness is crucial, such as consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

Market Trends in Lithium Air Battery Market

Advancements in Battery Technology

The Lithium Air Battery market is witnessing significant advancements in battery technology aimed at improving energy density, efficiency, and stability. Researchers and manufacturers are focusing on enhancing the overall performance of Lithium Air batteries by addressing issues such as their limited cycle life and susceptibility to degradation over time. Innovations in materials, such as the development of more stable cat...

The futures price of cobalt ranged between 27,000 and 82,000 U.S. dollars per metric ton between August 2019 and May 2024. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis can be appreciated between March and July 2020, when cobalt futures prices dropped to around 28,500 U.S. dollars per metric ton. The first significant increase in this figure following the beginning of the pandemic was in August 2020, followed by a generalized increase throughout 2021 to the reach a peak of 81,860 U.S. dollars in March 2022. Futures vs. Spot prices Futures prices are delineated in futures contracts, which allow buying or selling a commodity at a predetermined price and date, helping investors forecast the market through futures prices. Almost 30 billion futures contracts were traded worldwide in 2022. In comparison, spot prices indicate the current cost of buying a commodity. For example, the average cobalt spot price in the United States was 31 U.S. dollars per pound in 2022. Cobalt in battery production Cobalt is a primary component of producing batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, used in various electronic devices, especially electric vehicles (EVs). EV batteries require a specific amount of cobalt, while conventional vehicles do not. With an increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in EVs as the EV industry advances, the global cobalt market volume is expected to increase continuously by 2025.

In 2024, after three years of decline, there was growth in the Kenyan lithium carbonate market, when its value increased by 4.1% to $3.7K. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed buoyant growth. Lithium carbonate consumption peaked at $5.2K in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Production Lines market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics, leading to a surge in spent lithium-ion batteries. The market size in 2025 is estimated at $2.5 billion, projecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033. This significant expansion is fueled by several factors: stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing electronic waste, the rising cost of raw materials used in battery manufacturing, and the growing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of recycling lithium-ion batteries. Key market segments include electronic product recycling lines, power battery recycling lines, and chemical recycling lines, with capacities ranging from <500 kg/h to >2000 kg/h. Geographical expansion is also a key driver, with North America and Asia-Pacific currently dominating the market, though growth is expected across all regions. However, challenges remain, including the high capital investment required for setting up advanced recycling facilities and the technological complexities associated with efficient and cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling. The market's competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and emerging companies. Key players such as Genox, Shred-tech, and Franklin Miller are leveraging their technological expertise and global reach to secure market share. However, the entry of numerous regional companies and innovative startups is intensifying competition and fostering technological advancements. The future of the market will depend on continuous innovation in recycling technologies, government support for the development of a robust recycling infrastructure, and the increasing collaboration between battery manufacturers, recyclers, and research institutions. Further growth will be shaped by the development of cost-effective hydrometallurgical and direct recycling processes capable of handling the increasing diversity of battery chemistries. The focus on developing closed-loop recycling systems that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource recovery will be crucial for long-term market sustainability.

In 2024, the Pakistani lithium carbonate market was finally on the rise to reach $311K for the first time since 2019, thus ending a four-year declining trend. In general, consumption enjoyed significant growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The world's mine production of lithium reached a new high of 240,000 metric tons in 2024. This represented a significant increase from 2010, when global lithium production stood at about 28,100 metric tons. Lithium: a useful and elusive element The chemical element lithium has many uses but is most notably used in batteries, mental health treatment, and in pyrotechnics. This silvery-white alkali metal was first isolated in 1855 by Augustus Mattiessen and Robert Bunsen. Lithium is widely present worldwide, but due to its high reactivity it does not naturally occur in its elemental form. Chile and Australia have the largest lithium reserves in the world. Lithium producers There are several key players involved in the lucrative global lithium mining business. Based on market capitalization, Albemarle was the leading lithium producing company in 2024. Looking to the future, lithium producers have a strong outlook, as the total worldwide lithium demand is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.