Roskill - Expanding The World's Knowledge of Metals and Minerals Markets
Table of Contents
- 1. Summary
- 2. Lithium mineralogy, occurrence and reserves
- 3. Lithium mining, processing and grades
- 4. Production of lithium
- 5. Review of lithium producing countries
- 6. International trade in lithium
- 7. Consumption of lithium
- 8. Use of lithium in glass and ceramics
- 9. Use of lithium in batteries
- 10. Use of lithium in lubricating grease
- 11. Use of lithium in aluminium smelting
- 12. Use of lithium in rubbers and thermoplastics
- 13. Use of lithium in air treatment
- 14. Use of lithium in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals
- 15. Use of lithium in continuous casting
- 16. Minor end-uses for lithium
- 17. Prices of lithium
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Lithium
The Economics of Lithium, 11th edition 2009
Consumption of lithium increased by over 8%py between 2003 and 2007 but growth slowed in 2008 to just 4%. The major industrial markets for lithium - ceramics, glass, aluminium, greases and rubber - have all benefited from high rates of GDP growth in emerging markets, increasing overall lithium consumption. However, the main driver of lithium demand has been its use in rechargeable batteries. Demand for portable consumer goods in both developed and developing countries accelerated in the middle part of the decade and production of lithium secondary batteries grew by 25%py between 2000 and 2007. Consumption of lithium in batteries increased in-line with battery production and now accounts for 20% of total lithium consumption, up from 6% in 2000.
What the report gives you- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production and processing in 40 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of the activities of 58 producing and processing companies
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
Report highlights
World production of lithium reached 22,800t Li in 2008, up from 13,000t Li in 2000. Most of the growth in output has come from three countries: Argentina, Australia and Chile, which together accounted for 82% of total lithium production in 2008. Supply of lithium is dominated by producers of lithium from brines in the Americas - SQM, Chemetall and FMC Lithium - and by the sole lithium mineral producer in Australia - Talison Minerals. China has increased its domestic production of lithium minerals and lithium from brines by 15%py since 2000, as new projects have been developed, although China accounted for only 8% of total global lithium production in 2008.
Tightness in available brine production capacity in South America in the mid-2000s, and problems with ramping-up production from brines in China, prompted a resurgence in the conversion of lithium minerals to compounds. Lithium compounds produced by conversion from lithium minerals satisfied 15% of lithium compound demand in 2008. China has become the major source of lithium compounds produced by this method, using both domestically produced and imported lithium minerals.
The higher cost of the lithium minerals conversion process compared to brine production of lithium has impacted on lithium prices. Prices for lithium carbonate more than doubled between 2004 and 2008 to just under US$5,500/t. The outlook for lithium consumption to 2013 is optimistic, particularly as lithium secondary batteries for automotive uses are now reaching commercialisation. Nevertheless, as the global economic downturn continues there is likely to be an impact on the supply, demand and price fundamentals for lithium in the short-term.
Buy This Report Now
The Economics of Lithium, 11th edition published 26/02/2009
324 pages, 159 tables and 98 figures.
ISBN 978 0 86214 555 2
Complete report price:
GBP 2400
EUR 4000
USD 5000
plus postage/packing.