While there is clear demand from Western OEMs to be supplied with LFP/LFMP cells, with demand in each region, Europe and North America, exceeding 200 GWh eq. by 2030, the supply chain to reduce dependence on imports from China at an extremely competitive cost is currently being investigated, with several projects but few final decisions as yet. The various potential processes with their impact on the choice of raw materials or effluent treatment, the levels of Capex and Opex, taxes and regulation will be addressed to ultimately bring a landed cost approach benchmark between the various production location and processes.

Battery manufacturers and automakers are prioritising cost reduction as the main survival mechanism in a market with intense price competition. We will examine how the best do it: supply chain strategies such as vertical integration go hand-in-hand with manufacturing know-how to deliver cost-competitiveness and the value of new strategic partnerships born out of battery- and auto-makers’ involvement in raw materials as well as the competition for the best feedstock and where the bargaining power now lies in the supply chain.

Brazilian Nickel’s Piauí project will produce nickel and cobalt in MHP to feed EV cathode production using a lower cost, less energy intensive, simple and flexible heap leaching process. This process is inherently low carbon but BRN has several work programs looking at innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint or even eliminate the CO2 emissions with a view to becoming a net carbon zero or even carbon negative producer.

As lithium becomes an increasingly important driver of sustainable mobility, this presentation examines SQM’s leadership as the world’s top lithium producer, showcasing its innovative strategies to reduce its environmental footprint while increasing production efficiency. We will highlight SQM’s strong ESG commitments, including collaboration with indigenous communities to ensure value sharing and equitable benefits derived from its operations. Additionally, we will provide insights into the rapidly growing lithium market, the key drivers of this surge in demand, and SQM’s approach to meeting global needs through responsible capacity expansion. By integrating innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, SQM is leading the future of lithium production.

The African continent is attracting significant attention from lithium mining companies interested in the growth opportunities represented by this region. Zimbabwe's recent success in the development and ramp-up of its mines proves that lithium mining in Africa has a future. Meanwhile, countries such as Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa have lithium deposits that can be profitably mined even in a lower price environment, with the application of conventional methods.

The presentation will address the current situation of the global nickel market, including mine production, primary nickel production, primary nickel usage (consumption), and international trade. It will based on the data published by the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) on a monthly basis and the short term annual forecast discussed and approved by INSG's members.

Update on Natural Graphite Anode materials market developments, trade flows, and efforts toward diversification. We include some lessons from bringing up the first ex-China integrated production facility based in USA, and some messages to consumers and policy makers across EU.

The battery-metals prices have continued to trend lower over much of 2024, as oversupply and weaker than expected demand have added downward pressure. This patch of weakness is expected to be temporary, but it is having some long-term structural implications that will likely lead to more price volatility and geopolitical risk in the years ahead.

This presentation will cover the EV Sales Review of 2024, expectations going forward, and implications on battery demand, and will share the latest insights from collecting the facts in the EV industry. You will understand the best sellers, which countries and regions are doing the most for EV adoption, and what to expect in the future, both short term, and long term.

This presentation identifies how building sustainable raw-material supply chains can create competitive advantages for automotive and battery companies. It explores strategies for building resilient sustainable supply chains through ethical sourcing and the right partnerships. Attendees will discover market insights and how to develop sourcing strategies that capitalise on opportunities to achieve long-term successful sustainability in the battery ecosystem, reduce costs and risks, navigate market complexities, and improve competitiveness.

Critical mineral supply chains have undergone a significant transformation since 2016, intensified by regulatory pressures and evolving industry expectations around responsible sourcing. Against a backdrop of geopolitical challenges, security of supply of these raw materials has taken center stage for many governments and industries. Ambitious policies such as the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and the US Inflation Reduction Act, designed to onshore supply chains and minimise risk from monopolistic market players, add another level of complexity for battery players to navigate. This presentation will explore the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving policy landscape for the EV and battery manufacturing sectors.

As geopolitical tensions rise, so too do the constraints on battery materials and components. Domestic sourcing and localising supply chains remains at the forefront of the agenda for the West, but how will each region fare when it comes to building an ex-China supply chain? This talk will explore regional EV and battery supply chains and assess the bottlenecks that are forecast over the coming years.

Chris Welch, battery materials reporter at Argus Media, explores how Chinese oversupply has continued to push down prices for battery materials, and why prices are set to rise again soon as demand outweighs supply.