# Battery electrolytes: Trading

Who sells the salt and solvents, and at what price

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/trading/

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 releases](https://sneresearch.com/en/insight/release_view/601/page/24)freemium research site · SNE Research

monthly electrolyte supply by company and nationality
[SMM lithium battery materials](https://news.metal.com/newscontent/103997113-tinci-materials-expects-h1-profit-to-surge-over-ninefold-as-electrolyte-shipments-jump)freemium newsletter · Shanghai Metals Market

LiPF6, electrolyte prices and company news
[SunSirs chemical prices](https://www.sunsirs.com/uk/detail_news-30361.html)freemium research site · SunSirs China Commodity Data Group

Chinese LiPF6 and solvent spot prices
[EVreporter](https://evreporter.com/)free newsletter · EVreporter (India)

Indian battery materials projects

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/cycles/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/electrolytes/links/index.md)