Battery electrolytes: Feedstocks
How fluorspar and lithium decide electrolyte cost
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.Electrolyte cost is mostly LiPF6, which is mostly HF and lithium, with carbonate solvents from ethylene oxide, CO2 and methanol. Producers integrated from fluorspar through HF to LiPF6 have the lowest cost, which is why Chinese fluorochemical groups dominate.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F Fluorspar | about 0.8 t HF (about 1.7 t acidspar) per t LiPF6; about 0.09 t HF per t electrolyte (derived) | fluorine source for LiPF6 and LiFSI | large in LiPF6 (indicative) | stoichiometry; HF tile |
| Li Lithium | about 0.24 t per t LiPF6; about 0.026 t per t electrolyte (derived) | lithium ions | large in LiPF6; tracks lithium prices | stoichiometry |
| P Phosphate rock | about 0.2 t P per t LiPF6 | PF6 anion | small (indicative) | stoichiometry |
| Oil Crude oil | most of electrolyte mass (solvents about 85% by weight, indicative) | solvent | solvents RMB 4,500-7,000/t in 2025 | HKEX document; share indicative |
| CO2 | about 0.5 t per t EC (stoichiometry) | raw material for EC | small | stoichiometry |
Who is low-cost, and why
Chinese producers integrated from fluorspar and HF to LiPF6 and blending (Tinci, Do-Fluoride) are lowest cost. Korean and Japanese blenders buy salt and solvents and compete on additives and proximity to customers.