Europe: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in Europe

The Europe lithium carbonate market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption posted a buoyant increase. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Lithium Carbonate Production in Europe

In value terms, lithium carbonate production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 651%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in Europe

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of lithium carbonates decreased by -6.6% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +23.2% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 74%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 42% of total exports. Belgium (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 26% share, followed by Germany (12%), the UK (8.6%) and France (5.2%). 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 key 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 Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 74% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, France and Ireland, which together accounted for a further 19%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +95.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 41% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 51%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: 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 Europe

For the fourth year in a row, Europe recorded growth in overseas purchases of lithium carbonates, which increased by 18% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +120.2% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports rose notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 92% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of lithium carbonate imports in 2021 were Russia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons), together recording 66% of total import. Belgium (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by the UK (6.9%) and France (4.6%). Spain (X tons) took a relatively small 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 more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Russia ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, the UK, France and Spain, which together accounted for a further 27%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +26.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, waning by -9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw pronounced growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 48%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Russia ($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