China's lithium carbonate production stood at 44,300 tonnes in January 2024, an increase of 2.2% month on month, based on Mysteel survey of 52 sample smelters. The production growth was enabled by downstream players stockpiling for the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday. But the increase was partly offset by smelters carrying out maintenance and those in Qinghai Province reducing the production amid falling temperature.
It is expected that China's lithium carbonate production will be down 14.4% MoM at 38,000 tonnes in February primarily because most smelters will lower the capacity utilization rates for maintenance during the CNY holiday.
Source: Mysteel
China's lithium hydroxide production reported a monthly fall of 5.8% at 19,100 tonnes in January, which was mainly attributed to constantly falling prices which weighed on the production, per Mysteel survey.
The lithium hydroxide production is estimated to fall 5.8% MoM at 18,500 tonnes in February amid maintenance during the CNY holiday as well as sagging ternary battery demand.
Source: Mysteel
Written by Aggie Hu, huchenying@mysteel.com