In December 2025, China's cobalt sulfate production reached 17,228 tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month decrease of 2.67% and a year-on-year decline of 13.91%. In December, reduced production in the ternary precursor sector led to lower demand for cobalt, while the cost-effectiveness of converting electrolytic cobalt back into cobalt sulfate diminished. Amidst tight raw material supply, producers primarily maintained lower operating rates, contributing to the drop in cobalt sulfate output for the month.
For January 2026, China's cobalt sulfate production is predicted to be 17,012 tonnes, representing a month-on-month decline of 1.25% and a year-on-year decrease of 14.83%. In January, downstream demand for cobalt sulfate is expected to remain muted, while smelters are already operating at historically low utilization rates. Based on the production schedules of cobalt chemicals and ternary precursors, cobalt sulfate output is projected to experience a slight decline in January.
Edited by Cassie Li, lixiangying@mysteel.com
