5 Top Lithium News Stories of 2017

As in previous years, demand for electric vehicles continued to have a big impact on the lithium sector in 2017.

With the electric vehicle revolution continuing to gather speed, investors were keen to keep tabs on developments in the space. As our most popular lithium news stories of the year show, interest in expert stock picks and market commentary was particularly high.

Scroll on to see the five lithium news stories that received the most attention from our audience this year. If you missed them when they were first published, we suggest you take a read now.

1. Eight Capital’s 4 Lithium Stocks to Watch

Lithium has been hot on investors’ lips for the last few years, and many are wondering which stocks to invest in. This September article covers stock picks presented by Eight Capital analysts David Talbot and Joe Fars. Click through to see which lithium companies they recommend and why.

2. Thom Calandra: Lithium, Graphite and Uranium Stocks

The next lithium news story our readers enjoyed most was an interview done with Thom Calandra of the Calandra Report. We caught up with him at the New Orleans Investment Conference, and he explained why he has only one lithium stock in his portfolio: Nemaska Lithium (TSX:NMX). Why pick just one? Calandra explains his reasoning, as well as why he’s chosen to invest in graphite and uranium.

3. LG Chem to Open $1.63-billion Lithium-ion Battery Factory in Europe

This article on LG Chem’s (KRX:051910) massive investment in lithium in Poland was our third-most-read lithium news story in 2017. The company said in October that it will invest $1.63 billion to open the biggest lithium-ion battery factory in Europe. It plans to produce up to 100,000 batteries annually.

While China still leads the charge in terms of electric car batteries, European car manufacturers have been encouraging greater competition in battery production. LG Chem will initially be importing the raw materials for the batteries it makes from its parent company in Korea, but hopes to source from local suppliers further into the future. 

4. Joe Lowry: Lithium “Star Alliance” is Crucial for Supply

We caught up with Joe Lowry of Global Lithium at the Cathodes conference in California. In this audio interview, Lowry explains what he means by the “Star Alliance” in the lithium sector, and touches on how this alliance will affect lithium supply as demand increases. Plus, will low investment in the lithium space kill the electric car? Listen to the interview below to hear what his verdict is.

5. Ken Brinsden of Pilbara Minerals: “We Will See More Lithium Offtake Deals with Car Manufacturers”

Rounding out our five most popular lithium news stories of 2017 is an audio interview done at Cathodes with Ken Brinsden, CEO of Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS). The company signed an unprecedented deal this year with Chinese carmaker Great Wall. What are Ken’s predictions for the future of both lithium and auto manufacturing? Find out by listening to the interview.

What lithium news stories caught your attention this year? Let us know in the comments section.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Amanda Kay, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: Nemaska Lithium is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.