Lithium is sold as several distinct products. Prices only make sense once you know the product, its grade and the delivery basis. This page summarises the main products; prices are on the lithium price chart.
Main lithium products
| Product | Typical grade | Lithium content | Main uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium carbonate, battery grade | ≥ 99.5% Li2CO3 | 18.8% | LFP cathodes; feedstock for hydroxide and other salts |
| Lithium carbonate, technical grade | about 99% Li2CO3 | 18.8% | Glass, ceramics, mold flux, aluminium |
| Lithium hydroxide monohydrate, battery grade | ≥ 56.5% LiOH | 16.5% | High-nickel NCM/NCA cathodes, greases |
| Spodumene concentrate | 6% Li2O (SC6); also 5.5% and lower | about 2.8% (SC6) | Feed for lithium chemical plants |
| Lithium chloride | Solution or solid | 16.4% (solid) | Intermediate from brine; lithium metal production |
| Lithium metal | Battery or industrial grade | 100% | Primary batteries, alloys, organolithium chemicals |
Battery-grade vs technical-grade
Battery-grade chemicals carry tight limits (parts per million) on sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfate, chloride and magnetic particles, because impurities degrade cathode performance. Exact limits are set in each supply contract; China’s industry standard YS/T 582 (battery-grade lithium carbonate) and national standard GB/T 11075 (lithium carbonate) are common references. Technical-grade material is cheaper and used where purity matters less.
Spodumene grades
SC6 (6% Li2O) is the pricing reference. Lower grades (SC5.5, SC5 and below) are discounted, usually pro rata to lithium content plus a penalty, and concentrates with high iron or mica content can face extra discounts. See spodumene price.
Conversion factors
| From | To lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) |
|---|---|
| 1 t lithium (Li) | 5.32 t LCE |
| 1 t lithium hydroxide monohydrate | 0.88 t LCE |
| 1 t lithium oxide (Li2O) | 2.47 t LCE |
| 1 t SC6 spodumene concentrate | 0.148 t LCE contained (before processing losses) |
More examples: lithium price per ton and per kg.
Delivery bases and price quotes
- CIF CJK (cost, insurance and freight to China, Japan and Korea): the main seaborne basis for carbonate and hydroxide.
- EXW China (ex-works, domestic): Chinese prices in yuan per tonne, including 13% VAT.
- FOB Australia or CIF China: spodumene concentrate.
Packaging and transport
Carbonate and hydroxide usually ship in 25 kg bags or one-tonne bulk bags in containers; spodumene ships in bulk carriers. Lithium carbonate is not classed as dangerous goods for transport; lithium hydroxide is corrosive (UN 2680, Class 8); lithium metal is dangerous when wet (UN 1415, Class 4.3).
Sources
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Lithium (February 2026)
- CME Group, Lithium Hydroxide CIF CJK (Fastmarkets) futures
- Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, lithium prices page (assessment of 2 September 2026)