For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
In Q1 2024, the prices of Lithium Fluoride in the North American region experienced a significant decrease. Several factors influenced market prices during this period. The pricing environment for Lithium Fluoride in Q1 2024 can be characterized as negative, with decreasing prices and a lackluster market demand. Firstly, there was a decrease in demand from the downstream industries, resulting in subdued consumer inquiries.
This weak demand was mainly attributed to ample material availability in the domestic market and sluggish market transactions. Additionally, the cost support from the upstream raw materials, such as Lithium Hydroxide and Lithium Carbonate, remained stable, further contributing to the downward trend in prices. Focusing specifically on the USA, the largest price changes were observed.
Compared to the same quarter last year, prices of Lithium Fluoride decreased by 49%. This substantial decline can be attributed to the overall weak market conditions and decreased demand from the automotive industry. The quarter-ending price for Lithium Fluoride CIF New York Port in the USA was USD 57000/MT, reflecting the overall downward trend in prices.
APAC
The first quarter of 2024 has witnessed an overall positive pricing environment for Lithium Fluoride in the APAC region. Several significant factors have influenced market prices during this period. In general, there has been an increase in prices due to low supplies of the product and higher raw material costs. Additionally, the sluggish demand from downstream industries and low operating rates have contributed to the upward trend in prices. China, in particular, has experienced the most significant price changes for Lithium Fluoride.
The domestic market saw improvement in pricing dynamics, supported by low inventories. The production costs have also been affected by higher raw material prices. However, the demand from downstream industries has remained weak, with minimal sales to end consumers. Looking at the quarterly performance, there has been a significant decrease in prices compared to the same quarter last year.
The overall pricing environment for Lithium Fluoride in the APAC region has been positive, with increasing prices due to low supplies and higher raw material costs. In conclusion, the latest quarter-ending price for Lithium Fluoride FOB Guangdong in China is USD 56100/MT.
Europe
During the first quarter of 2024, the Lithium Fluoride market in Europe encountered several obstacles that heavily influenced pricing dynamics. These challenges mirrored those of the previous quarter, with oversupply being a significant factor leading to reduced demand and subsequently lower prices. The persistent sluggish demand from the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector persisted, as consumers remained cautious amidst declining prices.
Furthermore, the dominance of the Chinese market in both Europe and the United States added to the overall bearish sentiment. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD continued to witness notable sales growth, surpassing Tesla as the leading global electric carmaker, intensifying competition and impacting the profitability of European-based EV companies. Belgium, however, experienced a remarkable surge in sales of battery electric cars, with a notable growth rate of 75.5%.
Nonetheless, the fierce pricing competition among European, US, and Chinese EV manufacturers persisted. Throughout this challenging period, the market faced numerous shutdowns, resulting in disruptions that directly influenced prices. Despite these challenges, there were some minor developments in market transactions for Lithium Fluoride in Belgium during the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
During Q4 2023, the Lithium Fluoride market in the North American region remained stable, with moderate supply and a bearish market situation. The demand from the downstream lithium hexafluorophosphate market in the cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing industry remained weak, and purchases were mainly driven by demand. The overall market sentiments stabilized, and the procurement rates from Asian market players remained firm.
The demand from the downstream automotive industry remained firm, and the domestic supply of Lithium Fluoride remained moderate, with a slight decline in imports. The demand from the downstream lithium hexafluorophosphate for CAM production remained weak due to ample material availability in the domestic market.
The percentage change in prices from the previous year's Q4 was -60%, while the percentage change from the previous quarter was -30%. The price percentage comparison between the first and second half of the quarter was -3%. The latest price of Lithium Fluoride CIF New York Port in the USA for the current quarter was USD 57500/MT. No plant shutdowns were reported during the quarter.
APAC
The Lithium Fluoride market in the APAC region during Q4 2023 remained stable with high supply and low to moderate demand. The market sentiments for Lithium Fluoride remained stable in the Indian domestic market with a marginal increase in prices. In China, the market situation was bullish with moderate supply and a slight improvement in demand from the downstream automotive industry. The cost support from the upstream anhydrous hydrofluoric acid market increased slightly, resulting in a slight increment in prices. The market fundamentals are anticipated to stabilize in the Chinese domestic market, and the procurement rate remained low amid sufficient material availability. The percentage change in Lithium Fluoride prices in China from the previous year's Q4 was -55%, while the percentage change from the previous quarter was -25%. The price percentage comparison of the first and second halves of the quarter in China was 1%. The latest/quarter-ending price of Lithium Fluoride FOB Guangdong in China for Q4 2023 is USD 54500/MT. Overall, no major developments were observed in the Lithium Fluoride market in the APAC region during Q4 2023.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Lithium Fluoride market in Europe demonstrated a mixed pricing trend. In the initial period, primarily due to weak demand from the downstream sector, low import prices, and limited inquiries. In Belgium, the price of lithium fluoride has experienced a consistent decline, largely as a result of a significant drop in demand from battery manufacturing especially in the lithium hexafluorophosphate industry during this quarter, alongside subdued consumer inquiries. The deteriorated business sentiments throughout the European region also played a role in maintaining a prolonged downward trend in the pricing of Lithium Fluoride. The sluggish state of business, as indicated by the HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI, worsened the market's decline. Furthermore, the European chemicals market saw a decrease attributed to both low demand and increasing energy prices. During the fourth quarter, battery manufacturers exhibited a lack of enthusiasm in expanding their orders. Instead, they adopted a prudent approach, particularly anticipating additional price reductions and prioritizing long-term orders. Regarding the supply aspect, the availability of Lithium Fluoride remained moderate in the European region, with market participants consistently importing the product.
For the Quarter Ending September 2023
North America
In North America, the price of lithium Fluoride witnessed a decline in the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to reduced demand from the downstream lithium hexafluorophosphate industries and the abundance of materials available in the domestic market. Throughout the third quarter of 2023, the price of lithium fluoride in the USA market fell as a consequence of diminished downstream demand, particularly from the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Inquiries into the product indicated the presence of high EV inventories with dealers, even though there was an increase in electric vehicle sales. Furthermore, weak investor sentiment prevailed, largely influenced by the sluggish recovery of the Chinese economy. The supply of Lithium Fluoride in the domestic region was moderate, and there was a slight decline in imports. Additionally, in light of dampened bilateral trade sentiments with China, imports of the product slowed down. Notably, production costs significantly decreased due to weaker cost support from upstream Lithium Hydroxide, leading manufacturers to lower their offered quotations. As of September 2023, Lithium Fluoride prices were assessed at USD 73900 per metric ton.
ASAP
Lithium Fluoride experienced fluctuating sentiments within the Asia-Pacific market during the third quarter of 2023. Prices initially increased during the first month of the quarter, driven by robust demand from the downstream ceramics and glass industry, improved production rates, and heightened procurement rates. However, the following two months saw a decline in prices due to the accumulation of high inventories and weakened demand. In the Chinese market, lithium fluoride exhibited a significant price increase during the initial month of the third quarter. This surge was influenced by several factors, including the exceptional performance of suppliers. Demand for Lithium Fluoride in the Chinese domestic market experienced an upturn, thanks to increased procurement rates from downstream sectors such as ceramics, glass, lithium-ion battery manufacturers, and other end-use industries. Nonetheless, prices decreased in the final two months of the third quarter, primarily due to reduced demand from downstream industries like electric vehicles (EVs) and the absence of cost support from the feedstock Lithium Carbonate, resulting in declining production costs of the product. Furthermore, the cost support from upstream Lithium Hydroxide has been diminishing over recent weeks, while demand from the downstream Lithium Hexafluorophosphate sector remained weak. As of September 2023, Lithium Fluoride prices were assessed at USD 66,300 per metric ton.
Europe
In the third quarter of 2023, the prices of Lithium Fluoride continued their bearish trajectory, primarily due to weak demand from the downstream sector, low import prices, and limited inquiries. In Belgium, the price of lithium fluoride has experienced a consistent decline, largely as a result of a significant drop in demand from battery manufacturing especially in the lithium hexafluorophosphate industry during this quarter, alongside subdued consumer inquiries. Deteriorated business sentiments across the European region also contributed to a sustained downward trend in the pricing of Lithium Fluoride. Battery manufacturers have shown no interest in increasing their orders during the period of third and fourth quarters, opting for cautious purchases, especially in anticipation of further price reductions, and primarily focusing on long-term orders. In terms of supply, the availability of Lithium Fluoride was moderate in the European region, with market participants maintaining consistent imports of the product. Furthermore, there have been no reported instances of supply chain constraints or port congestion.
For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
Following the bearish pattern of the month of April 2023, the prices of Lithium fluoride CIF New York Port marked the largest drop in May to USD 62000/tonne. Some of the reasons leading to this fact were the weakening support from the upstream lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide markets, dragging down the confidence of the industry; drop in EV sales in major European and Asian markets; wait-and-see consumer attitude in overseas markets; weaker demand outlook from the downstream glass and ceramics industries in the domestic and industrial market; Curving in the smooth overseas orders. According to the weekly rise and fall chart of Lithium Fluoride from April to June, the weekly price of lithium fluoride had the highest drop in the month of May by 45% from March prices and then rose again by 35%, according to the data recorded on 30th of June, 2023. This is due to the import of high-priced goods from China, the surplus in the number of inquiries from downstream glass and ceramics manufacturing industries, and also the lithium hexafluoro market curve has seen an incline in this time frame. Thus, all those factors strongly supported the lithium fluoride market to keep going upward.
APAC
The overall market prices of lithium fluoride dropped further in the first week of April due to the fact of production cuts by the domestic manufacturers amid built-up inventories and a sluggish demand outlook in that region. The demand from glass and ceramics markets was also reduced. The downstream material enterprises were not enthusiastic about purchasing high-priced raw materials, which resulted in a further decrease in lithium fluoride price by 1% in the second week of April and entered the lowest price region in the fourth week of May, valued at USD 54000/tonne. The curve then started riding the wave and, with a jump of 10.1%, marked the value at USD 76000/tonne on the 30th of June. In this time period, the upstream lithium carbonate price rose mainly, which later supported the lithium hydroxide market. The enthusiasm for the downstream inquiry was slightly improved. The production cost of lithium fluoride increased due to some supply constraints, and the production of mica was unstable, which raised the lithium mica prices. Some lithium salts were also not coming at a cheaper rate which altogether caused a price hike of lithium fluoride.
Europe
In the second quarter of 2023, the price curve of lithium fluoride was also following the bearish trajectory of 1st quarter. The probable reason behind this movement is the increasing electric car pricing war amongst the market giants like Volkswagen in the Belgium market and hence the price rise in the upstream lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide market. The major exporting nations are decreasing the offered quotations to allure downstream consumers. The wait-and-see atmosphere was foggy, the market trading atmosphere was cloudy, and moreover, the demand in the downstream battery manufacturing and cathode industry was suppressed due to poor economic conditions. As per the price analysis of Chemanalyst, the reference price of Battery grade lithium carbonate was USD 53410/tonne, and following the same trend, the price of lithium hydroxide settled at USD 52670/tonne on June’23. As per market participants, the demand has been moderate in that region while consistent import of the product has been maintained, and the supply has been steady. In this timeframe, no supply chain constraint or no port congestion is observed.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
The Lithium Fluoride market showcased a bearish pricing trend throughout the first quarter of 2023 in the US domestic market. In January, the prices remained on a stable level due to wait-and-see sentiments amongst the downstream players, especially after the market activities in China temporarily shut amidst the Lunar New Year holidays. In February, the market prices plummeted amid adequate inventories of the product and sluggish demand for the product from the downstream battery and cathode manufacturers in the domestic and overseas markets. In March, the prices declined further amidst inflationary pressure and increased interest rates by the central banks, due to which consumer sentiments deteriorated and demand outlook remained suppressed in the region. Thus, the prices of Lithium Fluoride CIF New York Port settled at USD 115362 per tonne at the end of Q1 2023.
APAC
The Lithium Fluoride market showcased mixed market sentiments in the Chinese domestic market in the first quarter of 2023. In January, the prices were increased and then later eased considerably in the domestic market amid a slowdown in the inquiries from the downstream industries in the region. In February, the market prices dropped considerably amid a sluggish demand outlook from the downstream industries as consumers were reluctant for new purchases. Additionally, the drop in electric vehicle sales led to negative market sentiments for Lithium Fluoride. In March, the prices tumbled further due to ample inventories of the product in the region and weak downstream demand. The consumer market sentiments showcased a wait-and-see attitude in the last two months of Q1 in China. Thus, the prices of Lithium Fluoride FOB Guangdong settled at USD 107968 per tonne at the end of Q1 2023.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2023, the overall market prices of Lithium Fluoride rode the downward trajectory in the European markets. In January 2023, the offered quotes plunged and moved similarly to the Asian market. In addition, the rising inflation and energy prices kept the operating rates restricted. In February, the prices dropped due to weaker demand from the downstream lithium-ion battery manufacturers in the Asian markets leading to restricted exports of the product and uncertainties regarding the economic conditions. In March, the prices dropped further due to lacking market competitiveness from the Asian markets and the wait-and-see consumer market sentiments across the globe. Also, the manufacturing PMI fell in March due to a drop in new orders and lower input costs in the European region.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Overall, the Lithium Fluoride market in the North American region has remained stagnant on the prevailing trajectory. The Lithium Fluoride market in the U.S. has remained consistent, tracing an upward trajectory, and the offers quoted in the domestic market have also soared considerably. The cost support from the feedstock Lithium Hydroxide has staggered to a higher level. However, the offers for Lithium Fluoride moved against the trend of general Lithium in the domestic market. This development has been majorly attributed to the available volumes for secondary applications, as the majority of volumes are incapacitated within Lithium EV battery manufacturing. As a ripple effect, the CIF New York discussions for Lithium Fluoride were assessed at USD 143450 per tonne in December 2022.
Asia Pacific
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Lithium Fluoride market in the Asia Pacific region has remained stagnant on an upward trajectory. This development has been majorly attributed to the availability of Lithium Fluoride on a spot basis, as the revocation of EV subsidies provided by the Chinese authorities has come to a deadline making the downstream players cautious about the upcoming developments in the domestic markets. The impact has been more than evident in the data released by the authorities, which showcased that sales witnessed a considerable plunge in October 2022. The cathode manufacturers were on a high alert and placed new inquiries cautiously. In addition, the cost support from the feedstock was likely to remain buoyed in the Chinese domestic market. As a ripple effect, the FOB Guangdong discussions for Lithium Fluoride were assessed at USD 123075 per tonne in December 2022.
Europe
The Lithium Fluoride in the European market has remained stagnant on an upward trajectory. In the first month of 2022, the offers have remained bullish on an upward trajectory prompted by the market rebound post-summer holidays. However, the drop in sales of EVs in APAC and soaring inflation with hiked interest rates have made the market players reluctant towards hasty buying streaks. In addition, the increment in the energy cost has substantially impacted the operating rates at the manufacturing facilities, curtailing the offtakes volumes by considerable margins. As a ripple effect, DDP Hamburg discussions for Lithium Fluoride were assessed at USD 142550 per tonne in December 2022.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
In the third quarter of 2022, the Lithium Fluoride market in the North American region remained tightened. This development has been majorly attributed to the insufficient stocks at manufacturing facilities to offer in the spot market. Most of the Volumes are diverted towards contractual deliveries or consumed to manufacture essential downstream products such as Lithium Hexafluorophosphate. In addition, the cost support from the key feedstocks such as Lithium Carbonate/Hydroxide has persistently improved, and the Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid has also staggered upwards. At the same time, the current production capacity against the active demand has widened by enormous margins, estimated showcased that 59 new mines with 45 KTPA production capacity of LCE were required with recycling to cope with the demand within this decade. As a ripple effect, the CIF New York discussions for Lithium Fluoride were assessed at USD 140600 per tonne in September.
Asia Pacific
Overall, the Lithium Fluoride market in the Asia Pacific region remained persistent in an upward trajectory. This development has been majorly attributed to the curtailed operations loads or the temporary shutdown of two major Lithium derivatives manufacturing facilities in China due to power rationing. The region faced extreme heat waves that led to a drop in water levels across major rivers in China, which proportionally impacted the overall hydropower generation that China facilitates in the domestic market. In addition, the cost supports the key feedstocks such as Lithium Hydroxide, and Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid hovered on a higher level against the persistent inquiries from the EVs automotive industries. At the same time, the currency fluctuations remained stagnant, and the CNY depreciated significantly against the USD, impacting the order volumes and quotations. As a ripple effect, the FOB Guangdong discussions for Lithium Fluoride were settled at USD 119570 per tonne in September.
Europe
Overall, the Lithium Fluoride market in the European region was muted for the majority of the quarter due to the prolonged summer holidays. The spot arbitrage and operation at the downstream manufacturing facilities remained subdued, and the DDP Antwerp discussions for the Lithium Fluoride assessed at USD 144600 per tonne during the quarter ending in September. The downstream manufacturers were more inclined to a long-term contractual talk rather than spot offtakes. In mid-September, as the market activities across Northwest Europe resumed, the European Union passed the "Critical Raw Material Act" to secure the supply of Lithium and rare earth metal. Its demand is anticipated to increase by five folds by 2030 to replace oil & gas in an ambition to become the climate-neutral continent. The Critical Raw Material Act will help focus on strategic applications, networking amongst the European agencies, a more resilient supply chain, and a solid & sustainable level playing field.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In the second quarter of 2022, the Lithium Fluoride market in the North American region remained bullish. The retaliatory sanctions on Russia have curtailed several essential upstream supplies of the new energy raw material, followed by the resurgence of COVID in China that worsened the situation of the supply of crucial feedstocks. Still, the market participants were active in the several upstream commodities used to manufacture the feedstock. Therefore there is a significant margin in the supply-demand outlook in the domestic market. As a ripple effect, the DDP USGC discussions for Lithium Fluoride observed an increment of +3.40% in the spot market.
Asia Pacific
During the second quarter of 2022, the Lithium Fluoride market in the Asia Pacific region observed mixed sentiments amidst the shifting demand-supply outlook in the domestic market. At the start of the quarter, Chinese authorities were forced to impose a shutdown amidst the rising COVID cases in Shanghai. That jeopardizes the assembly line operations of major automotive manufacturers, especially in the EV sector. In response, it levied an impact on the complete upstream value chain during the first half of the quarter, and the dropped quotations of Lithium Hexafluorophosphate forced the market participants to halt the inquiries for Lithium Fluoride. However, the market rebounded gradually in the second half of the quarter.
Europe
In the second quarter of 2022, the European market observed severe oscillations in the macro-economical levels that kept the Lithium Fluoride market bullish in the Northwest European and Mediterranean region. The restricted availability of the acidspar tightened the production of the critical upstream, followed by the domestic production of Lithium Fluoride in the European region. The imports remain restricted amidst the sanctions on Russia and COVID situation in the Chinese market. By the quarter end, 2% of the global freight congestion was observed in the NW-Europe amidst the ongoing protest in Germany.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
Overall, the Lithium Fluoride market in the first quarter of 2022 remained bullish, identical to the last quarter, with severe tightness in the availability of Lithium Fluoride after Russia invaded Ukraine. According to the customs data, a significant portion of Lithium supplies were imported from Russia, and the sanctions impacted the supplies of Lithium Fluoride in the US domestic market. In addition, the Chinese benchmark offers for Lithium Fluoride increased by a significant margin. Due to safety concerns in the San Luis Potosi, a feedstock fluorspar mine in Mexico, has imposed force majeure, leading to a reduction in the production and contracts to consumers besides adding pressure to the production margins in the US market. As a ripple effect, the overall market sentiments strengthened the quotations staggered in the upward trajectory.
Asia Pacific
In the first quarter of 2022, the Chinese Lithium Fluoride market witnessed stagnant growth despite the resurgence of COVID and hindered market dynamics in China. In the first half of the quarter, overall sentiments were pressurized ahead of the Chinese Lunar new year holidays with constant participation of overseas players in the Chinese market against the logistical issues. The Chinese authorities took some strict preventive measures to curb the spread by imposing a strict lockdown against the persistent inquiries from the overseas market. Although evaluation in mid-March assessed by benchmark continued in the upwards rally, even though the cost support from the feedstock Anhy. Hydrofluoric Acid kept staggering in China. As a ripple effect, the FOB Guangdong discussion for Lithium Fluoride was settled at USD 128400 per tonne by the quarter ending.
Europe
The effort made for the paced transition toward cleaner energy has clearly described the tightness in the Global Lithium Hydroxide market. Due to the boosted demand against the constrained supplies, the constant growth in the feedstock quotations of Lithium Hydroxide since 2021. Although the cost support from the Hydrofluoric Acid remains stagnant, the inquiries remain consistent. At the same time, the sturdy stance of the European authorities over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine clouded the supply concerns for the essential raw materials used in the production of Lithium Fluoride.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Lithium Fluoride market in the North American region witnessed unprecedented growth throughout the quarter. This development is majorly caused due to the enormous demand outlook that outstrips the demand from the EV segment, and the inquiries were persistent from the downstream Lithium Hexaflurophospharte producers. After the COP 26 global conglomerates and players from the energy sector raced to ensure the long-term supplies for Lithium. As a ripple effect, the quotation for Lithium Fluoride in the US domestic market witnessed a growth of 18.48%, and the CIF New York discussion for Lithium Fluoride was settled at USD 76900 per tonne, during the quarter ending in December.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Lithium Flurode market observed a consistent growth since the mid of the third quarter due to numerous economic factors. The port congestion in Northeast Asia delayed the deliveries of Lithium Fluoride and orders piled up from the domestic and overseas buyers for the Chinese cargoes. Whereas, the rising sales of EV soared the demand from the downstream EV batteries segment after the global countries decided to pace up the transition towards a greener economy. Whereas a major player in China plans to expand the production of Lithium Fluoride by 6000 tonnes. As a ripple effect, the Lithium Fluoride prices soared by 33.61% in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the FOB Guangdong discussion for USD 95400 per tonne, in December.
South America
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the South American Lithium Fluoride market witnessed an unprecedented hike after the COP 26 meeting held in Glasgow, and numerous EV battery manufacturers were eager to ensure long-term supplies. The Chilean authorities recently announced to form state-owned Lithium miners to manage the country’s Lithium Triangle. However, as the demand exceeded the domestic supply outlook it forced the producers to raise the quotations for Lithium Fluoride soared significantly in the fourth quarter of 2021.
