In May 2026, cathode material prices edged slightly higher MoM, supported by rising lithium carbonate costs. However, the steady ramp-up of new capacity has begun to swell cathode material supply, which may cap further price gains in the months ahead.
Major market dynamics
- On 21 May, 2026, Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Co., Ltd. the leading lithium iron phosphate cathode producer in China, announced plans to issue H shares and apply for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- On 21 May, 2026, the Kaiyang county government announced that Guizhou CNGR Xingyang Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. has begun environmental impact assessment work for its high‑end phosphorus‑based cathode material project in Kaiyang County, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province.
- On 13 May, 2026, the environmental impact report for Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.'s Funing Contemporary battery base project was published.
The USD/RMB exchange rate in this newsletter is USD1.00=RMB6.8562 on 4 May, 2026, sourced from the People's Bank of China.
All the prices mentioned in this newsletter will include the VAT, unless otherwise specified.
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