Battery metals and materials reports

Looking at the entire envelope of lithium-ion battery metals and materials is vital to identifying where metal supply bottlenecks will arise. SFA's reports forensically evaluate the state of the electric vehicle ecosystem to establish the existing (and emerging) opportunities and threats for investors and industry stakeholders alike and provide a mix of short- and long-term opportunities collectively analysing the lithium, nickel and cobalt markets.

Lithium market reports

SFA's lithium reports provide a unique value chain perspective on the spodumene, lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate markets. Lithium demand is positioned to grow rapidly over the next 20 years, largely owing to lithium-ion batteries (especially in electric vehicles), and although the market remains well supplied in the near term, new lithium supply must be more disciplined to ensure long-term revenues. Our collection of lithium market reports suits short-, medium- and long-term stakeholder agendas.

Nickel market reports

SFA's bespoke nickel market reports encourage stakeholders to confirm their priorities align with the global energy transition.

Demand for high-purity (battery-grade) nickel sulphate (NiSO₄) is growing as lithium-ion battery cathode chemistries evolve towards more nickel-rich formulations. From NMC 111 (equally split between Ni, Mg and Co) formulations to the current crop of NMC 532 and NMC 622, and limited use of NMC 811 batteries, nickel sulphate is the growing ingredient at the expense of cobalt and manganese.

SFA has been involved in nickel supply security projects on behalf of end-users, as well as investment appraisals for nickel sulphate plants (including HPAL - high-pressure acid leach) and nickel mines and processing plants. The Battery Metals and Materials team constantly appraises the economics and viability of global class 1 and class 2 nickel mines and projects on behalf of our clients. Our suite of nickel market reports provides a short-to-medium and long-term view for stakeholders.

Cobalt market reports

With the success of electric vehicle production linked to cobalt supply, SFA is on hand to give market guidance on the cobalt market fundamentals. Despite cobalt's diminishing role in electric vehicle batteries, owing to a shift towards nickel-rich cathodes and a resurgence of LFP battery adoption in China, the scale of production growth will lead to cobalt demand rising with electric vehicle uptake. Cobalt remains a key metal in ensuring cathode stability and electric vehicle battery life, and remains unlikely to be completely substituted out with current technology. SFA's portfolio of cobalt market reports enables stakeholders to identify new opportunities and market threats across the cobalt value chain.

Regional battery metals and materials reports

SFA is working with automakers and industry associations as well as battery component manufacturers who need to understand long-term supply and demand aspects and battery metal price risks. Our insightful regional battery metals and materials reports for investors and stakeholders alike target market risks, opportunities and challenges. They investigate the supply chains and trade flows of the critical elements needed across the value chain, from mining to precursor production and OEM production, for profitable and efficient participation in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.

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