Battery Materials

Battery materials are the raw and processed materials used to manufacture battery components and cells. They include materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, silicon and specialty phosphates, which play different roles across battery technologies and chemistries.

CRU provides independent analysis across these interconnected markets, from key raw materials through to anodes, cathodes, battery cells, and downstream applications.

Lithium-ion batteries use different combinations of materials depending on their chemistry and design. Key materials can include lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, alongside other materials used in battery components. 
Changes in battery technology and chemistry can alter the materials required and influence demand across the wider battery value chain.

Battery material prices are influenced by supply and demand fundamentals, production and processing capacity, trade flows, inventories, and wider market conditions. Policy developments and changes across the battery value chain can also affect market dynamics and pricing.

Understanding these factors requires analysis of both individual material markets and the wider supply chain in which they operate. Speak to a member of our team today to help understand this further.

Battery technology directly influences demand for battery materials because different battery chemistries require different combinations and quantities of materials. As technologies evolve, changes in chemistry, performance requirements and production can reshape demand across material markets. Analysing battery technology alongside material markets helps organisations understand how technological change may affect future supply, demand and costs. Speak to us today.

Battery material supply and demand forecasts are developed by analysing market fundamentals, including production, consumption, capacity, trade, inventories and the factors influencing future market growth. CRU combines this analysis with longer-term forecasts across relevant supply and demand parameters to help organisations understand potential changes in battery material markets. 

The battery materials supply chain connects the production and processing of raw materials with the manufacture of battery components, cells and downstream applications such as electric vehicles and energy storage.

Because these stages are interconnected, changes in material supply, technology or demand can have implications across the wider battery value chain.