OFF-BLACK
DARK GREY
LIGHT GRAY
WHITE
BRIGHT PURPLE
PRIMARY PALETTE
BRIGHT PURPLE ONLY FOR ACCENT
37
•Demand – remains robust, but downside risks shift to US and sodium battery breakthroughs capture attention
•Lithium – more downside room for prices this year, due to ongoing supply additions, leading to larger surpluses,
coupled with high inventory levels
•Nickel – battery industry will drive demand growth, but the market will struggle to rebalance from its currently
oversupplied fundamentals
•Cobalt – prices elevated on DRC export ban, to potentially be replaced by an export quota – market to remain
well supplied, but tighter, leading to higher average prices
•Graphite – intense market competition, prices below operating costs and unsustainable – likely to bottom this
year, supply surplus to persist, but low prices supportive of longer-term market rebalancing
•Manganese – weak demand in early 2025, but stronger mid-term outlook on high-manganese loading
chemistries
•Recycling – constrained feedstock supply that will evolve in source and composition, while policy impacts black
mass trading
Conclusion
2025 | Fastmarkets | Battery Raw Materials Global Outlook Webinar – May 2025