Hyderabad, India, September 28, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- According to the latest report from Mordor Intelligence, the global lithium carbonate market is expected to grow from 1.41 million LCE tons in 2026 to 3.93 million LCE tons by 2031. Meanwhile, the US Inflation Reduction Act ( IRA ) provides a subsidy of $35 per kilowatt-hour for eligible domestic battery cell production and offers a 10% tax credit for key minerals, thereby encouraging investment in regional supply chains. China currently accounts for about 60% to 70% of the global lithium refining capacity, while new projects in Chile and Nevada are gradually increasing supply outside of China.
The growth of the lithium carbonate industry is being supported by the increasing use of LFP batteries, which rely on lithium carbonate. At the same time, the demand for energy storage is also on the rise. The installation of utility-scale energy storage in the United States is expected to reach 57.6 GWh by 2025 and may triple by 2026.
Lithium Carbonate Market Trends and Future Development
Advances in extraction and recycling technologies
Direct lithium extraction is moving towards broader commercial applications, with new methods helping to improve recovery rates, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact. Recycling is also becoming an important part of the supply chain, as lithium is recovered from waste battery materials to supplement the supply.
Lithium prices and supply challenges
The price of lithium carbonate remains highly sensitive to changes in battery demand, mine production, and supply availability. Frequent price fluctuations can affect producers' profit margins and make investment and production planning more challenging.
Refined production capacity and regional restrictions
Lithium processing is still concentrated in a few regions, which poses supply chain risks and dependence on imported raw materials. New refining projects outside of China also face issues such as long approval cycles, high technical requirements, and a shortage of skilled workers, factors that may slow down the expansion of production capacity.
Lithium carbonate industry segmentation
Classification by level
- Battery-grade
- Technical level
- Industrial grade
Divided by source
- Brine
- Spodumene (hard rock)
- Lithium mica/clay
- Recycling lithium carbonate
Divided by application
- Lithium-ion battery
- Glass and ceramics
- Pharmaceuticals and Dentistry
- Aluminum production
- Cement industry
- Other applications
Divided by end-user industries
- Car
- Consumer Electronics
- Energy Storage System
- Industry and Metallurgy
- Healthcare
- Architecture
By region
- Asia-Pacific
- North America
- Europe
- South America
- Middle East and Africa
For access to the complete breakdown, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence of the lithium carbonate market, please visit the report details page at Mordor Intelligence: https :// www.mordorintelligence.com / industry-reports / lithium-carbonate-market ?utm_source= prnewswire.
Lithium carbonate market share by region
Lithium Carbonate Landscape in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific region remains the main center for lithium carbonate production and processing, thanks to China's mature refining and battery manufacturing networks. Japan and South Korea still rely heavily on imported battery-grade lithium carbonate, making them more susceptible to changes in regional supply policies.
North American Lithium Carbonate Prospects
With government incentives encouraging local mining, refining, and battery production, North America is expanding its lithium carbonate production capacity. New projects and supply agreements are supporting domestic supply, although the approval and development cycles remain challenges.
With the expansion of the lithium carbonate market and the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems, opportunities are being created across the entire battery supply chain. The increasing adoption of battery technologies, as well as increased investment in lithium extraction and refining, are also supporting market growth. By employing rigorous research methods that combine firsthand interviews with reliable secondary data, we help stakeholders assess market trends, applications, regional demand, production sources, and competitive landscapes with objective, data-driven insights, said a Senior Research Manager.
For a deeper understanding of industry trends, you can visit the comprehensive analysis for the Japanese region: https :// www.mordorintelligence.com / ja / industry-reports / lithium-carbonate-market ?utm_source= prnewswire
Lithium carbonate-related enterprises
- Albemarle Corporation
- Ganfeng Lithium Group Co, Ltd
- Jiangxi Jiuling Lithium Co., Ltd.
- LevertonHELM Limited
- Lithium Americas Corp.
- Lithium Argentina AG
- Nemaska Lithium
- Pilbara Minerals Limited
- Rio Tinto
- Shandong Ruifu Lithium Co., Ltd.
- Shengxin Lithium Energy Group Co., Ltd.
- SQM
- Tianqi Lithium Corporation
- Xinjiang Zhicun Lithium Industry Co.
Related reports in the Mordor Intelligence database
- The Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) market report is categorized by grade, source, application, and end-users, covering battery-grade, technical-grade, and industrial-grade materials; sources such as brine, spodumene, clay, and recycling; applications in batteries, glass, pharmaceuticals, aluminum, and others; as well as industries such as automotive, electronics, energy storage, industrial, medical, and construction. Regions covered include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
- The market size for natural gas liquids is expected to reach $32.18 billion by 2030. The report is categorized by type, application, end-users, and region, covering ethane, propane, butane, petrochemical feedstocks, fuel, industrial use, residential, commercial, transportation, oil and gas, and utilities. Regions included are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, as well as the Middle East and Africa.
- Global Bromine Derivatives Market Report is categorized by derivatives, applications, and regions, covering bromobenzene, BCP, NBR, inorganic and alkyl bromides, as well as applications in pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, solvents, flame retardants, and water treatment. The regions include Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, as well as the Middle East and Africa.
About Mordor Intelligence
Mordor Intelligence indicates that the company is a trusted partner for enterprises seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. With its global coverage, expert team, and customized solutions, it helps organizations and individuals make more informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve strategic goals.
The company stated that, with a team comprising over 550 experts in various fields and local professionals covering more than 150 countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This professional capability is translated into comprehensive joint research and customized research reports across a wide range of industries, including aerospace and defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and health, automation, automotive, chemicals and materials, consumer goods and services, electronics, energy and power, financial services, food and beverages, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, information and communication technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.
For any inquiries or to obtain the complete report, please contact: https :// www.mordorintelligence.com
Mordor Intelligence, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India; Gachibowli Financial District; Nanakramguda Rd, Rajapushpa Summit 11th floor, Postal Code 500032.
