Battery electrolytes: Trading
Who sells the salt and solvents, and at what price
What this tab covers How it is bought and sold: buyers and sellers, price benchmarks and who publishes them, exchanges, contract types, traders, how Indian buyers price it, recent price points, and good sources to follow.Who buys, and where
- Chinese cell makers (CATL, BYD, EVE, CALB)
- Korean and Japanese cell makers near their plants
- Indian cell makers via imported cells, and Neogen for local blends
Who sells, and from where
- Tinci, Capchem, GTHR, BYD (captive)
- Enchem, Soulbrain (Korea)
- MU Ionic Solutions, Central Glass (Japan, indicative)
Price benchmarks
| Benchmark | Publisher | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| SMM LiPF6 and electrolyte prices | Shanghai Metals Market | daily, CNY/t |
| SunSirs LiPF6 and DMC prices | SunSirs | daily, CNY/t |
Exchanges
| Venue | Contract | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None | no electrolyte or LiPF6 futures | lithium inputs hedged on GFEX |
Contract types
- Formula prices indexed to LiPF6 and lithium carbonate with monthly resets
- Cell-maker specific formulations under long-term supply agreements
- Toll blending near cell plants
Traders and distributors
- Few; sales are direct to cell makers
How Indian buyers price it
- Imported at Chinese export prices; no DGTR duty on LiPF6 or electrolyte found in sources used
Recent price points
| Date | Price | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | RMB 49,600/t | LiPF6 China monthly average (low) | HKEX document (Apr 2026) |
| Q4 2025 | above RMB 170,000/t | LiPF6 China | HKEX document (Apr 2026) |
| 2025 | RMB 4,500-7,000/t | carbonate solvents China | HKEX document (Apr 2026) |
Good sources to follow
SNE Research EV electrolyte tracker releasesfreemium research site · SNE Researchmonthly electrolyte supply by company and nationality
SMM lithium battery materialsfreemium newsletter · Shanghai Metals MarketLiPF6, electrolyte prices and company news
SunSirs chemical pricesfreemium research site · SunSirs China Commodity Data GroupChinese LiPF6 and solvent spot prices
EVreporterfree newsletter · EVreporter (India)Indian battery materials projects