Battery materials
Overview
Growth in global electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) production has put a spotlight on battery materials. While lithium-ion batteries dominate the current market, this is a rapidly emerging technology space where improved range or charge times can quicky shift industry sentiment and investment in a different direction.
Argus is at the forefront of battery materials pricing and reporting with coverage of common battery metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite), industry-grade cathodes and black mass. As experts in specialty metals and rare earths, we future-proof our price assessment portfolio with a range of electronic metals crucial to the manufacture of technology deployed in modern vehicles.
Our Argus Battery Materials and Argus Non-Ferrous Markets services help businesses to understand these complicated supply chains, including price volatility and sustainability challenges around future demand.
Minor metals: Battery metals
As automakers continue to invest in electric vehicle production and power companies explore infrastructure that includes energy storage programmes, the metals contained in lithium-ion batteries supporting these products has attracted interest from investors, institutions and manufacturers alike.
Argus is well positioned to provide insight into price volatility, global supply and responsible material sourcing for all manufacturers and investors in this sector.
Highlights of Argus battery materials coverage
- Understand the context of significant price movements and industry trends with a weekly PDF that highlights the most important market news across lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel and other common battery materials
- Mitigate risk and perform reliable forward planning with 1-year and 10-year forecasts across different battery metals, chemistries and industries
- Gain a competitive edge with industry-specific tools, such as the Black Mass Calculator that estimates the intrinsic value of different battery chemistries (including cathodes like NCM111, NCM523, LFP, NCA)
- Invest with confidence knowing Argus is IOSCO-compliant with over 50 years of experience delivering trusted price data and market intelligence
Latest battery materials news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global battery materials industry.
Finland's Terrafame to cut battery jobs on EVs slowdown
Finland's Terrafame to cut battery jobs on EVs slowdown
London, 30 October (Argus) — Finnish battery chemicals maker Terrafame is set to cut its workforce on slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery materials, joining a growing number of companies adjusting their operations in view of challenging market conditions. "According to the company's initial estimate, the maximum personnel reduction need would be 75 person-years," the firm said, nearly 10pc of its 826-strong workforce as of the end of last month. The firm is also looking to shift employees to part-time positions and change job descriptions. The news is the latest in a series of blows for the Finnish firm, after reporting a 34pc year-on-year fall in battery chemicals sales revenue over the first half of this year. And in April, the firm temporarily halted one of its battery chemicals plants after several weeks of workers strikes. Terrafame has supply agreements with German cathode active materials producer Umicore , American-French-Italian carmaker Stellantis and French carmaker Renault for high-grade nickel sulphate to be used in EV batteries. By Chris Welch Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Korea's LGES sees battery market uncertainties in 2025
Korea's LGES sees battery market uncertainties in 2025
Singapore, 29 October (Argus) — Top South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution's (LGES) July-September revenue dipped on the year but rose on the quarter. It did not provide a clear 2025 battery market forecast, citing uncertainties. LGES expects the battery market to be increasingly competitive, citing key customers'internalisation of battery production and higher Chinese battery exports. But it held back from making a forecast for 2025, citing macroeconomic uncertainties and geopolitical risks, while adding that the results of the impending US election will have an "important impact" on the direction of the electric vehicle (EV) market. Its revenue fell by 16pc on the year to almost 6.9 trillion won ($4.98bn) given this year's EV market slowdown. But revenue rose by 12pc on the quarter owing to its energy storage system (ESS) segment, expanded sales to European original equipment manufacturers, and higher production from its joint ventures in North America and Indonesia , according to its latest quarterly results. Its operating profit dipped by 39pc on the year to W448bn, which includes W466bn from US' Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, without which it would have recorded a W18bn operating loss. The firm expects significant cuts in capital expenditure during 2025, stating that it is monitoring and reviewing the situation of its investments "line by line". LGES earlier this year decided to slow its EV battery expansion in the US, as it is now looking to be more "efficient" in its US investments, including exploring converting EV battery production capacity to ESS. LGES is also considering converting its EV battery production lines in Europe to meet ESS demand in the region, it said, despite previously securing 109GWh of future orders that will be produced out of its Wroclaw plant in Poland for US carmaker Ford's electric commercial vehicles in Europe. The firm in October said it plans to reduce its dependence on the EV battery business . The pivot comes despite the utilisation rate at its Poland plant rising given a gradual recovery in EV battery demand from Europe's automakers, which LGES expects to continue in October-December. But it sees limited upside to the utilisation rate of its plants in North America and China, citing inventory adjustments from its key customers. By Joseph Ho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Atlas Lithium granted permit for Brazil plant
Atlas Lithium granted permit for Brazil plant
London, 28 October (Argus) — US lithium producer Atlas Lithium has been granted permits from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil to build and operate its lithium refinery. The refinery, which will process mined ore from one of Atlas' deposits, is set to scale up to 300,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate production by mid-2025, the firm said last December. The permitting encompasses 85 mineral rights across approximately 468sq km, including regions Neves, Coronel Murta, Eastern Properties, Itinga, Salinas, Santa Clara and Tesouras. "We are thrilled with today's announcement, as permitting is widely considered the most critical risk in any mining project," said chief executive Marc Fogassa. The firm has signed offtake agreements with Japanese trading house Mitsui as well as Chinese firms Chengxin Lithium Group and Yahua Industrial Group . By Chris Welch Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Lower-cost models to lift 2025 EV sales: Tesla
Lower-cost models to lift 2025 EV sales: Tesla
Houston, 25 October (Argus) — Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla anticipates higher EV sales next year as it begins production of lower-cost models. Chief executive Elon Musk foresees volume growth increasing by 20-30pc in 2025, barring any force majeure events, he told investors this week on an earnings call for the quarter that ended 30 September. Musk reaffirmed the Texas-based company was on track to produce more affordable versions of its EVs in the first half of next year after laying out plans to do so initially in April. High costs have been one of the major roadblocks to widespread EV adoption as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continue to be more affordable. The bulk of the costs associated with production involve the metals used in EV batteries. Tesla plans to utilize its existing manufacturing lines to turn out the lower-cost models, aiming for EVs priced under $30,000 including government incentives, Musk said. The company reported reduced production costs across each of its manufacturing facilities in the latest quarter. The company's production recovered in July-September, after it fell the prior two quarters as the company endured slowdowns from shifting output to an updated version of the Model 3 and faced additional logistical and operational challenges. Output in the third quarter increased by 9.1pc from a year earlier to 469,796 vehicles. Total deliveries in the quarter increased by 6.4pc to 462,890 vehicles, as demand for its new Cybertruck increased. The company also benefited from an improved macroeconomic environment as borrowing costs globally began to decline. The company's energy storage business deployed 6.9 gigawatt hours (GWh) in the quarter, up from 4GWh in the prior-year period. Tesla plans to boost production of its Megapack and smaller Powerwall products, ramping its Megafactory in Lathrop, California, and progressing with the construction of a new plant in Shanghai. Quarterly profits increased on the year by 17pc to $2.2bn. Total revenues increased by 7.8pc to $25.2bn in the same timeframe, with automotive sales rising by 1.3pc to $18.8bn. By Alex Nicoll Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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