For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in North America
- In United States, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by severe global supply constraints.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide Price Forecast trended upward in March 2026 as global intermediate inventories tightened severely due to export restrictions.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide Production Cost Trend stabilized in March 2026 because North American sulfuric acid prices softened amid improved supply.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide Demand Outlook strengthened in Q1 2026 as lithium-ion battery demand for energy storage systems expanded significantly.
- Consumer inflation reached 3.3% and producer prices rose 4.0% in March 2026, elevating Cobalt Hydroxide refining and distribution costs.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded and industrial production grew 0.7% in March 2026, supporting baseline consumption for Cobalt Hydroxide applications.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in March 2026 in North America?
- Global Cobalt Hydroxide supply tightened drastically in Q1 2026 due to strict export quota implementations.
- Total battery demand for electric vehicle applications expanded in January and February 2026, supporting prices.
- Elevated producer prices in March 2026 increased the energy-intensive refining costs of Cobalt Hydroxide ores.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in APAC
- In China, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by severe feedstock shortages.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide Production Cost Trend increased significantly during Q1 2026 as sulfuric acid input costs spiked.
- In March 2026, the Producer Price Index rose 0.5% year-over-year, reflecting higher processing costs for domestic refiners.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide Demand Outlook remained mixed in Q1 2026, despite industrial production growing by 5.7% year-over-year.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting increased consumption of battery precursors and industrial chemicals.
- Cobalt Hydroxide Price Forecast indicators pointed upward in Q1 2026, while the March Consumer Price Index rose 1.0%.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Mined cobalt feedstock availability from the Democratic Republic of Congo plummeted significantly during Q1 2026.
- Spot market availability of cobalt hydroxide tightened severely in January-February 2026 due to strict export quotas.
- Chinese imports of cobalt intermediates plummeted in January-February 2026 amid ongoing primary region export disruptions.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by tightening upstream supply chains.
- In March 2026, consumer inflation reached 2.7%, while producer prices declined by 0.2%, easing upstream reagent costs.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, contrasting with stagnant 0.0% industrial production recorded in February 2026.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment remained at 4.2% in February 2026, supporting consumer electronics purchasing power.
- Consumer confidence dropped to -24.7 in March 2026, as electric vehicle sales softened throughout Q1 2026.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide demand outlook strengthened in March 2026, supporting a firm price forecast for the region.
- Cobalt Hydroxide production cost trends fluctuated as European natural gas prices surged significantly in March 2026.
- Global battery raw material inventories depleted in January 2026, while black mass trade plummeted in February 2026.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in March 2026 in Europe?
- European natural gas processing costs spiked in March 2026 due to severe geopolitical supply disruptions.
- African Cobalt Hydroxide export flows faced heightened regulatory pressure in March 2026, restricting regional availability.
- Global Cobalt Hydroxide supply faced intense scrutiny in March 2026 due to environmental hazard reports.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in APAC
- In China, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by robust demand and supply constraints. The prices of Cobalt Hydroxide have been assessed at USD 23880/MT EXW Hunan China in December 2025.
- Production costs for Cobalt Hydroxide trended upward in Q4 2025 due to rising cobalt raw material costs.
- Demand for Cobalt Hydroxide strengthened in Q4 2025, supported by electric mobility and consumer electronics sectors.
- China's full-industry-chain cobalt inventories depleted in Q4 2025, with Cobalt Hydroxide inventories nearly exhausted.
- The Manufacturing Index was expanding in December 2025, and industrial production grew by 5.2% year-over-year.
- Cobalt Hydroxide supply tightened from October 2025 due to DRC export restrictions and administrative bottlenecks.
- Domestic cobalt salt production declined in December 2025, impacted by structural raw material shortages.
- Despite low CPI (0.8%), retail sales (0.9%), unemployment (5.1%), consumer confidence (90.30 points), and negative PPI (-1.9%), the price forecast remains firm.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Cobalt raw material costs experienced an upward trend in Q4 2025, increasing production expenses.
- DRC export restrictions from October 2025 significantly tightened global cobalt supply, impacting availability.
- Domestic cobalt salt production declined in December 2025 due to structural raw material shortages.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by robust demand and significant supply constraints.
- Production costs increased in Q4 2025, influenced by a 2.7% CPI rise in December 2025 and 3.0% PPI increase in November 2025.
- Demand remained strong in Q4 2025, supported by a 2.0% industrial production increase in December 2025.
- The demand outlook was bullish, with retail sales rising 3.3% in November 2025, boosting EV and electronics sectors.
- Supply was curtailed in Q4 2025 due to Democratic Republic of Congo export quotas implemented in October 2025.
- Inventories outside the Democratic Republic of Congo remained tight in Q4 2025, with Asian market inventories nearly exhausted.
- Trade flows experienced delays in Q4 2025, as DRC shipments were anticipated in late December 2025.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate and 89.1 consumer confidence in December 2025 supported consumer spending.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in December 2025 in North America?
- Democratic Republic of Congo export quotas in October 2025 significantly constrained raw material supply in Q4 2025.
- Robust demand from the electric vehicle battery sector continued to drive consumption throughout Q4 2025.
- Rising production costs, influenced by a 2.7% CPI increase in December 2025, impacted overall pricing.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by surging cobalt metal prices and constrained supply.
- Cobalt Hydroxide production costs increased in Q4 2025, influenced by surging cobalt metal, sulfate prices, and DRC royalty fees.
- Moderate inflation, with CPI at 1.8% in December 2025, contributed to slightly increased overall production costs.
- Demand was supported by a 1.8% increase in retail sales and a low 3.8% unemployment rate in December 2025.
- The European EV market resurgence in Q4 2025, with robust German growth, positively impacted Cobalt Hydroxide demand.
- Industrial production showed 0.0% year-over-year growth in October 2025, indicating stagnant demand from manufacturing sectors.
- Producer prices declined by 2.5% year-over-year in December 2025, suggesting broader industrial price deflation.
- Tight inventories outside the DRC in Q4 2025, alongside administrative bottlenecks, constrained Cobalt Hydroxide supply.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Cobalt metal and sulfate prices surged in Q4 2025, significantly increasing Cobalt Hydroxide production costs in Europe.
- DRC export limits and administrative hurdles in Q4 2025 created tight inventories, constraining Cobalt Hydroxide supply.
- Robust European EV market growth in Q4 2025 boosted demand, despite stagnant industrial production in October 2025.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by surging EV sales.
- Production costs increased due to a 2.6% year-over-year PPI rise in August and 3.0% CPI in September 2025.
- Record-high Electric Vehicle sales in Q3 2025 significantly bolstered Cobalt Hydroxide demand.
- U.S. defense stockpiling initiatives for cobalt intensified during Q3 2025.
- Natural gas feedstock costs eased in September 2025, partially offsetting broader input price pressures.
- Retail sales increased 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supporting consumer-driven demand.
- Tight export controls from the Democratic Republic of Congo impacted global cobalt supply in Q3 2025.
- Industrial production showed near-stagnant growth at 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025.
- A 4.3% unemployment rate and declining consumer confidence (94.2) in September 2025 showed mixed signals.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in September 2025 in North America?
- Strong EV sales and U.S. defense stockpiling boosted Cobalt Hydroxide demand in Q3.
- Rising input costs, evidenced by a 2.6% year-over-year PPI increase in August 2025, pressured production.
- Tight export controls from the Democratic Republic of Congo constrained global cobalt supply in Q3 2025.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by global supply constraints.
- Production costs for Cobalt Hydroxide faced upward pressure from rising European electricity prices during Q3 2025.
- Demand for Cobalt Hydroxide was supported by strengthening European EV sales and surging German EV battery capacity in August 2025.
- Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in Q3 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and dampening material demand.
- Industrial production declined by 1.0% in September 2025, negatively impacting overall consumption of raw materials.
- Cobalt raw material prices flatlined in Q3 2025, but DRC export controls created underlying cost pressures.
- Retail sales increased by 0.2% in September 2025, while the 6.3% unemployment rate remained stable, affecting demand.
- Consumer prices rose 2.4% and producer prices fell 1.7% in September 2025, impacting operational costs.
- The Cobalt Hydroxide price forecast indicates continued upward pressure from persistent supply constraints.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Tight DRC export controls provided upward pressure on cobalt prices throughout Q3 2025.
- Rising European electricity prices in Q3 2025 increased Cobalt Hydroxide production costs.
- Strengthening European EV sales in Q3 2025 boosted demand for Cobalt Hydroxide battery materials.
Cobalt Hydroxide Prices in APAC
- China's Cobalt Hydroxide Price Index rose in Q3 2025, driven by tightening supply and costs.
- Production costs rose as Chinese battery makers pushed for higher prices in Q3 2025.
- Global cobalt supply tightened in Q3 2025 from DRC export ban and new quota.
- Demand supported by robust NEV sales; industrial production up 6.5% in Sept 2025.
- Weak consumer demand (CPI -0.3%) and contracting Manufacturing Index in Sept 2025 tempered market.
- Retail sales grew 3.0% in Sept 2025, boosting EV and portable electronics demand.
- Cobalt Hydroxide demand faces headwinds from increased LFP battery adoption in Q3.
- Low inventory persisted as China's cobalt hydroxide imports remained reduced through Q3.
- Weak industrial demand (PPI -2.3%) and 5.2% unemployment in Sept 2025 indicated economic softness.
Why did the price of Cobalt Hydroxide change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Tightening global cobalt supply from DRC export ban and new quota system.
- Chinese battery material makers pushed for higher prices for cobalt-based materials.
- Weak consumer confidence (89.6 index) and contracting manufacturing activity.
