Teresa Matich reports that lithium carbonate is a lithium compound used in a range of industrial, technical and medical applications. As Rockwood Lithium notes, it is often the first chemical in the production chain, with other compounds such as lithium hydroxide being produced with subsequent steps if needed. For this reason, investors will often see lithium production numbers broken down in terms of lithium carbonate equivalent. As with other lithium products, lithium carbonate may be produced from brines or from hard-rock deposits, although a few companies are also looking to develop clay-based lithium deposits.
Those interested in the lithium industry will no doubt have seen plenty of references to lithium carbonate in company reports. Here are a few key points to keep in mind ...
1. Lithium is used for much more than just lithium-ion batteries
2. Not all lithium carbonate is created equal
3. Lithium hydroxide is becoming more and more popular for use in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries
Batteries have generated most of the excitement in the lithium industry as of late, with Tesla Motors plans for a lithium-ion battery gigafactory still drawing plenty of investor attention. However, there is more to the lithium market than Tesla (it is far from the only company building a lithium-ion battery megafactory), and the market for lithium goes well beyond batteries as well.
Specifically, lithium carbonate is used in ceramics, glass, cement and aluminum processing. While the battery market is certainly growing, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that glass and ceramics still made up roughly 32% of global end-use markets in 2015. Lithium carbonate also has an important use in the pharmaceutical industry, it is on the World Health Organization list of essential medicines as a treatment for bipolar disorder.
Not all lithium carbonate is made equal, and end products must meet specific requirements.
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