EU: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in the EU

The EU lithium carbonate market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 44% against the previous year. In general, consumption posted a measured increase. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Lithium Carbonate Production in the EU

In value terms, lithium carbonate production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 652%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in the EU

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of lithium carbonates decreased by -11.9% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands represented the key exporter of lithium carbonates in the European Union, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 46% of total exports in 2021. Belgium (X tons) took a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (14%) and France (5.7%). Ireland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +358.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lithium carbonate supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 84% share of total exports. France and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.3%.

Among the main exporting countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +95.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted perceptible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 51% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in the EU

For the fourth consecutive year, the European Union recorded growth in purchases abroad of lithium carbonates, which increased by 13% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports fell slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports enjoyed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented the major importers of lithium carbonates in the European Union, together committing 61% of total imports. Belgium (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by France (X tons) and Spain (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 29% share of total imports. Italy (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +38.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 73% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +23.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -12.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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