Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has started publishing battery-grade recycled lithium carbonate assessments on a daily basis, effective June 24.

The new DDP China and CIF North Asia recycled lithium assessments, which Platts understands to be a world-first for the lithium market, complement Platts' established suite of battery metals and black mass assessments in Asia, Europe and the US.

In light of various global regulatory policies such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and the European Union Critical Raw Materials Act, and major investments made in battery recycling, Platts has observed increasing interest in recycled battery raw materials processed from battery production scrap or end-of-life batteries.

China's total end-of-life battery availability is forecast to surge to 438 GWh by 2032, up from 16 GWh in 2023, according to the High Voltage Battery Recycling Study by S&P Global Mobility, registering a compound annual growth rate of over 44%. The end-of-life battery availability for Japan and South Korea is forecast to reach 57 GWh by 2032, up from 2.3 GWh in 2023. Recycled lithium is mainly sold into China for cathode production, according to market feedback.

In the past year, Platts has tracked an increasing number of spot transactions and demand for recycled lithium carbonate derived from black mass. Based on data collected by Platts, recycled lithium has been observed to be trading at a discount to prime lithium carbonate of around Yuan 1,500/mt in the Chinese domestic market and at a $500-$1,000/mt discount in the Northeast Asia seaborne market over June 17-21. Discount levels have been fluctuating alongside developments in the prime lithium carbonate market.

Based on market research, purity specifications for the new recycled assessments align to Platts' existing battery-grade lithium carbonate assessments, with minimum lithium carbonate content of 99.5%. The new assessments have the following specifications:

The first monthly average calculations will be updated July 31, reflecting the average of daily assessments published throughout July.

Market participants are expected to supply proof of recycled-material certification upon request. Platts expects certification from independent organizations to emerge over time and will monitor market developments in certifying recycled materials by recyclers and third parties. Platts invites ongoing feedback regarding certifiers working with lithium recyclers and the industry.

Platts spot price assessments consider market information reported to Platts and published throughout the day, including firm bids and offers, transactions and indications, as well as any other data deemed relevant to the assessment process.

Market information received up to the 4:30 pm Singapore (0830 GMT) timestamp is considered for the daily recycled lithium carbonate assessment.

A full description of Platts assessments methodology can be found here.

The recycled lithium carbonate assessments are published on Platts Nonferrous Metals Alert, Platts Metals Daily, Platts Connect, Platts Market Center, and in the Platts price database under the symbols listed above.

The assessments are included on pages MTL8888 and PMA8888 alongside Platts full suite of battery metals assessments.

Please send all comments and questions to battery_metals@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has started publishing battery-grade recycled lithium carbonate assessments on a daily basis, effective June 24.

The new DDP China and CIF North Asia recycled lithium assessments, which Platts understands to be a world-first for the lithium market, complement Platts' established suite of battery metals and black mass assessments in Asia, Europe and the US.

In light of various global regulatory policies such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and the European Union Critical Raw Materials Act, and major investments made in battery recycling, Platts has observed increasing interest in recycled battery raw materials processed from battery production scrap or end-of-life batteries.

China's total end-of-life battery availability is forecast to surge to 438 GWh by 2032, up from 16 GWh in 2023, according to the High Voltage Battery Recycling Study by S&P Global Mobility, registering a compound annual growth rate of over 44%. The end-of-life battery availability for Japan and South Korea is forecast to reach 57 GWh by 2032, up from 2.3 GWh in 2023. Recycled lithium is mainly sold into China for cathode production, according to market feedback.

In the past year, Platts has tracked an increasing number of spot transactions and demand for recycled lithium carbonate derived from black mass. Based on data collected by Platts, recycled lithium has been observed to be trading at a discount to prime lithium carbonate of around Yuan 1,500/mt in the Chinese domestic market and at a $500-$1,000/mt discount in the Northeast Asia seaborne market over June 17-21. Discount levels have been fluctuating alongside developments in the prime lithium carbonate market.

Based on market research, purity specifications for the new recycled assessments align to Platts' existing battery-grade lithium carbonate assessments, with minimum lithium carbonate content of 99.5%. The new assessments have the following specifications:

The first monthly average calculations will be updated July 31, reflecting the average of daily assessments published throughout July.

Market participants are expected to supply proof of recycled-material certification upon request. Platts expects certification from independent organizations to emerge over time and will monitor market developments in certifying recycled materials by recyclers and third parties. Platts invites ongoing feedback regarding certifiers working with lithium recyclers and the industry.

Platts spot price assessments consider market information reported to Platts and published throughout the day, including firm bids and offers, transactions and indications, as well as any other data deemed relevant to the assessment process.

Market information received up to the 4:30 pm Singapore (0830 GMT) timestamp is considered for the daily recycled lithium carbonate assessment.

A full description of Platts assessments methodology can be found here.

The recycled lithium carbonate assessments are published on Platts Nonferrous Metals Alert, Platts Metals Daily, Platts Connect, Platts Market Center, and in the Platts price database under the symbols listed above.

The assessments are included on pages MTL8888 and PMA8888 alongside Platts full suite of battery metals assessments.

Please send all comments and questions to battery_metals@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.