Project Blue

♻️ 𝗜𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽? 💠 Robert Burrell, Research Manager, Project Blue Due to the lack of available end-of-life (EoL) batteries from EVs, process #scrap remains the dominant feedstock for recycled material in Europe. Looking forward, Europe will see a flurry of #gigafactory projects coming online, leading to increased volumes of process scrap. Notably, the greater yield losses of less-experienced producers in the early stages of ramp-up typically lead to higher volumes available for recycling. Although the gigafactory pipeline has been negatively impacted by the recent delays and cancellations to many projects, the level of growth in domestic battery production this decade is still expected to be substantial. It is not until the mid-2030s when Project Blue estimates EoL volumes to exceed those of process scrap. It will take some years before the EVs sold today reach the end of their useful life and the batteries are recovered. Beyond this tipping point, EoL volumes will dominate the picture. __________________________________________________________________________________ We provide detailed market intelligence for the lithium-ion battery landscape in our 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗜𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

🔋 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆? 💠 Robert Burrell, Research Manager, Project Blue Hard carbon is currently the most widely adopted #anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SiBs) due to its favourable reversible capacity, low operating voltage and low cost. The core strategy for sodium-ion within the market is to undercut lithium-ion #batteries on cost and to gain market share where out-and-out energy density isn’t a critical factor. Development of novel SiB anodes typically targets enhancement of cell energy density. Materials include metal oxides, intermetallic compounds (e.g. Si, Ge and Pb) and sulphides. However, increases in production cost for such materials must be kept to a minimum, else any cost-competitive edge SiBs gain over lithium-ion will diminish, especially during periods of low raw material prices. __________________________________________________________________________________ We provide detailed analysis and forecasts, in addition to a granular capacity database, in our 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗜𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

💡 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝟮𝗖𝗢𝟯 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗢𝗛 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺, 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀? 💠 Dominic Wells, Research Director, Project Blue Despite carbonate overtaking hydroxide as the premium #lithium chemical for the EV market, there is still the possibility of profit margins being made because not every project is created equal. There are regional and quality price variations in lithium chemicals, therefore the opportunity exists to convert low-quality lithium carbonate into a high-quality lithium hydroxide and make a margin on it. However, there is a risk that producing hydroxide leaves a refiner exposed to further drops in hydroxide prices if hydroxide is increasingly less-favoured by the EV sector due to the rise of LFP batteries and its shorter shelf life. __________________________________________________________________________________ We provide detailed asset-by-asset cost breakdowns, forecasts and cost modelling as part of our 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

We're delighted to support the 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 organised by IMFORMED Industrial Mineral Forums & Research Ltd, and to have our Research Director Alison Saxby presenting our outlook for the market - further information and registration details for the event are here:

💲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? 💠 Jessica Fung, Head of Consulting, Project Blue There are state interventions around the world that provide producer price support in sectors such as agricultural commodities and electricity. This is generally acceptable from a ‘social good’ perspective and often takes the form of purchases by state firms for domestic redistribution. The follow-on questions, then, are for how long, how much would it cost, and could it be legally mandated to support such critical material projects to ensure they are ‘bankable’? PPAs last for 10-15 years; will domestic critical materials demand still be there in 2040, and what downside risk should the fiscal budget bear? For example, what price floor would have been appropriate when oil prices went negative in 2020? It is a legitimate question with some precedence, but any response to proposals would have to be weighed against competing policy priorities. __________________________________________________________________________________ Jessica leads our Consulting division, which supports market participants across critical material supply chains with tailored solutions and insights. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

📊 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳? 💠 Ying L., Principal Analyst, Project Blue Indonesian #nickel supply will eventually flatten off due to ore attrition and resource depletion, but this is unlikely to happen any time soon. Indonesian nickel ore supply will have to grow to meet the feedstock requirement from local smelters at least in the near term. Project Blue expects domestic production for NPI to increase by 4% per year and intermediates to grow by 18% per year between 2025 and 2030, respectively. The total approved nickel ore mining Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) for 2025 is reported at 298.5Mt. Assuming in the next decade 1) RKAB remains unchanged from 2025; 2) Indonesian ore imports from the Philippines increases by 10% every year; we will begin to see a big ore supply gap opening from 2026 which will increase further in the 2030s. __________________________________________________________________________________ We provide regularly-updated and detailed market analysis and forecasts for supply, demand, prices and costs in our 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

💡 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱? 💠 David Merriman, Research Director, Project Blue The current environment for many #lithium operators remains challenging, with battery grade lithium carbonate prices struggling to make gains. The commissioning of new lithium capacity at both lithium hard rock assets and lithium brine assets is expected to bring online additional new capacity in 2025, though this is likely to be at the expense of incumbent capacity as operations are displaced on the cost curve. As a result, further curtailments and suspension are expected in 2025 as the market rebalances, though with underlying demand still growing strongly, the requirement for supply growth will persist. __________________________________________________________________________________ We provide regularly-updated and detailed market analysis and forecasts for supply, demand, prices and costs in our 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

📝 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗨 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴? 💠 Jessica Fung, Head of Consulting, Project Blue Regulations and policy would only ever impact raw material prices if they were expected to have a structural and unanticipated impact on demand fundamentals for a market. The EU policies discussed at our conference all have slightly different goals. The CRMA, EU Battery Regulation and Economic Security Strategy are focused on domestic supply chains, which doesn’t necessarily change the shape of #battery demand. However, the European Green Deal, RePower EU and Automotive Action Plan set targets and are focused on accelerating EV and ESS demand, which, if efficiently implemented and backed by financial commitments, could have an impact on raw material pricing. __________________________________________________________________________________ Jessica leads our Consulting division, which supports market participants across critical material supply chains with tailored solutions and insights. 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

💡 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲'𝘀 𝗘𝗩 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 💠 Jack Bedder, Founder & Director, Project Blue The format of our conference, which took place just a few weeks ago, was designed to go beyond presentations. Expert speakers shared their perspectives, then engaged in in-depth debates with industry peers via stimulating panels. This approach fostered a collaborative environment, ensuring that every session delivered meaningful insights. When it came to key themes, it was refreshing to see that developments in the USA and the plans of the new administration weren’t the sole focus. While geopolitics naturally played a major role in the conversation, the consensus in the room was clear: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆. Attendees acknowledged that short-term policy shifts and fluctuations in commodity markets will inevitably influence the landscape, but the long-term trajectory remains firmly in place, with industry momentum continuing to build despite the headwinds currently being experienced. __________________________________________________________________________________ 🔋 Project Blue provides detailed market intelligence and forecasts, cost analysis and bespoke consulting services for all stages the lithium-ion supply chain - raw materials, midstream components and batteries. 💫 To see more detail and speak to our global team of experts, please provide your details here and we'll contact you soon: https://lnkd.in/dTZJm6_a #lithiumionbatteries #electricvehicles

💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝘆-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 💡 The current environment of uncertainty, trade barriers and retaliatory actions around the world is reframing the way critical materials are seen. One way that Project Blue has examined in discussions with our clients is to look at the economics of by-products. In our new 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 video below, our Head of Consulting Jessica Fung shares her thoughts on some of the key factors to consider. ➡️ You can watch the video on our website: https://lnkd.in/e5VSbFPK ➡️ To speak to Jessica and our Consulting team about how we can support your business in this area, email consulting@projectblue.com. #criticalmaterials #energytransition