China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association Lithium Branch: Lithium carbonate prices rose significantly in January, with active market trading.

The Lithium Industry Branch of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association released the operating conditions of the lithium industry in January 2026. In January, the price of lithium carbonate rose significantly, market trading was active, and the price spread widened. On the supply side, the production of lithium carbonate was stable, with some cathode material companies undergoing production line maintenance. On the demand side, the government's continued promotion of the new energy vehicle market expectations, coupled with the decrease in export tax rebates for lithium batteries, boosted first-quarter export demand. In terms of market prices, in January, domestic lithium carbonate prices fluctuated upwards. The price of battery-grade lithium carbonate rose from 119,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month to 152,500 yuan/ton at the end of the month, an increase of 28.15%; the price of industrial-grade lithium carbonate rose from 118,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month to 149,500 yuan/ton at the end of the month, an increase of 26.69%; and the closing price of the main contract rose from 130,000 yuan/ton at the beginning of the month to 148,200 yuan/ton at the end of the month, an increase of 14.02%.