Lithium Hydroxide Could Face Shortage on Strong Global Demand

Writing for Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Simon Moores noted that increasing demand for lithium hydroxide from the battery sector could drive the resource into deficit as early as next year. As a result, hydroxide prices could increase as much as 30 percent in bullish scenarios.

As quoted in the publication:

Lithium hydroxide is primarily used as an industrial lubricant in the form of grease. But it is also used as an active cathode in batteries, much like its carbonate counterpart.

In fact, Tesla Motors’ Gigafactory is planning to use lithium hydroxide in its 500,000 unit-per-year super-plant which alone could increase demand for all lithium chemicals used in batteries by much as 50%.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence provides data and analysis on critical minerals and metals. To sign up for the Benchmark Minerals newsletter, visit their website at benchmarkminerals.com.