Lithium’s uses have shifted dramatically over the last 15 years, from glass, ceramics and greases to rechargeable batteries. The USGS estimates global end use in 2025 as follows.
Global lithium end uses (2025)
| End use | Share | Main product used |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 88% | Lithium carbonate (LFP), lithium hydroxide (high-nickel cathodes), lithium hexafluorophosphate electrolyte |
| Ceramics and glass | 4% | Spodumene and petalite concentrates, technical-grade carbonate |
| Lubricating greases | 2% | Lithium hydroxide |
| Air treatment | 1% | Lithium bromide, lithium chloride, lithium hydroxide |
| Continuous casting mold flux powders | 1% | Lithium carbonate |
| Medical | 1% | Pharmaceutical-grade lithium carbonate |
| Other | 3% | Butyllithium, lithium metal, alloys and more |
Batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power electric vehicles, grid energy storage, phones, laptops and power tools. Two cathode families dominate: LFP (lithium iron phosphate), made from lithium carbonate and favoured for cost, safety and cycle life in storage and many EVs; and nickel-based NCM/NCA, usually made from lithium hydroxide, for higher energy density. Non-rechargeable lithium primary batteries (coin cells, lithium-thionyl chloride) use lithium metal. See battery prices and EV and storage demand.
Glass and ceramics
Lithium lowers melting temperature and thermal expansion. It is essential in glass-ceramic cooktops and ovenware, and is used in container glass, fibreglass and ceramic glazes. Mineral concentrates are often used directly.
Lubricating greases
Lithium soap greases (made with lithium hydroxide and fatty acids such as 12-hydroxystearic acid) are the most common multipurpose greases for vehicles and industrial machinery, valued for water resistance and a wide temperature range.
Air treatment
Lithium bromide and lithium chloride are used in absorption chillers and industrial dehumidification; lithium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide in spacecraft and submarine life-support systems.
Metallurgy, medicine and other uses
- Steel casting: lithium carbonate in mold flux powders controls heat transfer and lubrication in continuous casting.
- Medicine: lithium carbonate is a long-established mood stabiliser for bipolar disorder.
- Polymers: butyllithium is a catalyst for synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene.
- Aerospace alloys: aluminium-lithium alloys are lighter and stiffer than conventional aluminium.
- Nuclear: lithium-7 hydroxide is used for coolant chemistry in pressurised water reactors; lithium-6 is studied for tritium breeding in fusion.
Substitutes
The USGS notes substitutes exist in batteries, ceramics, greases and glass (for example calcium and aluminium soaps in greases, sodium and potassium fluxes in ceramics). Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as an alternative in some storage and low-cost vehicle applications.