Asia
In 2025, lithium hydroxide prices in Asia moved mostly lower through the year. The market stayed under pressure because supply grew faster than demand. Several new mines and brine projects started production, while some previously paused operations restarted, which added more supply into the system. At the same time, many buyers already held high inventories and were cautious about restocking. Demand from battery makers improved only gradually, as LFP batteries continued to gain market share and reduced the need for lithium hydroxide compared with lithium carbonate. As a result, sellers faced strong competition and limited pricing power, especially in China, where most refining capacity was located.
Europe
In Europe, lithium hydroxide prices in 2025 were influenced mainly by developments in Asia. European buyers relied heavily on imported material, so oversupply in global markets worked their way easily. Battery and auto producers remained focused on cost control and often delayed long-term commitments, waiting for clearer signals of demand growth. Although EV sales continued to expand, the pace was not fast enough to absorb the excess supply seen globally. This kept prices soft for much of the year, with only brief periods of stability when supply disruptions or logistics issues occurred.
North America
In North America, lithium hydroxide prices also stayed weak during 2025, though the decline was less sharp than in Asia. Some support came from government projects and efforts to build local supply chains, which created longer-term confidence. However, in the short term, demand growth from EVs and energy storage did not fully offset the global surplus. Buyers remained selective, often sourcing material linked to strategic or domestic projects rather than spot purchases, which limited price recovery.