#3 Li

Lithium

Strategic Metal

Lightest solid element. Underpins the entire EV and grid storage revolution — Li-ion batteries represent ~80% of demand. Extracted from hard-rock spodumene (AU) and brine evaporation (CL, AR). Price collapsed ~80% from 2022 peak ($80k/t LCE → ~$10k/t) amid oversupply.

Main trade forms: Li₂CO₃ (battery-grade), LiOH·H₂O, spodumene concentrate
Available from: AU, CL, CN, AR, BR
Purity range: 99.0%–99.99%

Last update: 2026-03-15
2 records

Retail Reference

$6500/kg

Metal 99.9% (3N) · 10 g

Smart-Elements · AT · 2026-03

Retail Premium: 650.0×

Bulk Benchmark

$10/kg

Compound Li₂CO₃ 99.5% battery-grade

Fastmarkets / SMM · CIF · 2026-03

All Offers

Date	Form	Purity	USD/kg	Seller	Country
2026-03-15	Compound	Li₂CO₃ 99.5% battery-grade	$10	Fastmarkets / SMM	\u2014
2026-03-15	Metal	99.9% (3N)	$6500	Smart-Elements	AT