Batteries · Spodumene (LiAlSi₂O₆)

Lithium

China produces 70% of the world's lithium chemicals. Lithium-ion batteries for vehicles, drones, soldier systems and grid storage.

70%: of lithium chemicals is in China
1%: of EU imports of lithium carbonate from outside the EU came from China in August 2026
4: sites watched from orbit on OreOrbit
10 Nov: next deadline: China's pause on its October 2025 export controls is due to end

Where it is made

Share of world output held by the leading country at each stage. Sources: 2024, IEA, 2024, USGS.

What Europe imports

In August 2026, the EU imported €17.4 m of lithium carbonate from outside the EU, 1% of it from China.

China everywhere else outside the EU. Monthly value of EU imports, Lithium carbonate. Source: Eurostat Comext.

Why it matters for Europe

Europe has large deposits in Czechia, Serbia, Portugal and Germany but little production so far, and most of the world's lithium chemicals are refined in China.

Key figures

37% of world lithium mine output came from Australia in 2024 (88,000 of about 240,000 t, US excluded) USGS MCS 2025
½ Chinese lithium carbonate futures on 12 October 2026 were about half their May 2026 peak Reuters, via MINING.COM

Sites on the atlas

GreenbushesMine, Australia
Salar de AtacamaMine, Chile
CínovecPlanned project, Czechia
JadarPlanned project, Serbia

Coming up

10 Nov 2026China's pause on its October 2025 export controls is due to end Pillsbury / RAWMATERIALS.net

Options for Europe

22 EU strategic projects
Recycling meets 0% of EU demand today, against the EU's 25% goal for 2030.
New supply on the atlas: Jadar (2028 at the earliest)