Supply Chain Research

Controversy over the ownership of global lithium supplies continues. The sale of a 32% stake in Chilean miner SQM to Chinese developer Tianqi is being challenged on antitrust grounds. Securing sources of the battery component material has led many buyers to try and acquire mining assets directly. Chilean exports rose 10% in the three months to February 28 in volume terms, while average prices rose 27%. SQM was the largest exporter, with $571 million shipped in the past 12 months. While South Korean buyers retain the largest share of exports from Chile at 2691 tons in the past three month...