Battery and energy metals 03 / 06

Metals for theenergy transition.

Lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel and manganese are the raw materials of batteries and energy storage. We work with producers, battery-chemical refiners and industrial buyers who need traceable material and due diligence from the first contact.

SpodumeneHydroxideMHP

What we cover

Lithium, Cobalt, Graphite, Nickel,Manganese

Material	Commercial forms	Typical buyers
Lithium	Spodumene concentrate, carbonate, hydroxide	Lithium refiners, cathode makers
Cobalt	Hydroxide, sulphate, metal	Battery-chemical refiners, superalloy makers
Graphite	Natural flake, spherical graphite	Anode makers, refractories
Nickel (battery grade)	MHP, sulphate	Precursor and cathode producers
Manganese (battery grade)	High-purity sulphate, electrolytic metal	Precursor and cathode producers

Market context

From raw material to cell.

Demand comes from electric vehicles, stationary energy storage and consumer electronics. Each battery chemistry draws on a different mix: nickel-rich cathodes use nickel, cobalt and manganese, lithium iron phosphate cells use lithium and iron, and almost all anodes use graphite.

The chain runs from mine concentrate to refined chemicals, then to precursor, cathode and anode materials and finally to cells. Much of the refining and material production is concentrated in Asia, while Europe and North America are building their own capacity. Buyers increasingly ask for traceability and documentation of every step.

How we handle it

From sample todelivery.

In battery metals, purity and traceability weigh as much as volume. We ask for supply-chain documents from the first contact and arrange assays at independent laboratories.

How we handle it

01
Sampling
Representative samples taken under the procedure agreed between the parties.
02
Independent assay
Tests at independent laboratories; results are shared with buyer and seller.
03
Inspection
Weight, quality and packing verified by an inspection company at loading or at destination.
04
Logistics coordination
Transport, storage and documents with the providers chosen by the parties.

Specification

What buyers usually specify.

Material	Specification
Lithium	Lithium oxide, iron and mica in the concentrate; for carbonate and hydroxide, battery-grade purity, moisture and trace metals.
Cobalt	Cobalt content, impurities (copper, manganese, nickel), moisture and traceability under the OECD Guidance.
Graphite	Fixed carbon, flake size, ash and moisture; for spherical graphite, particle size and specific surface area.
Nickel (battery grade)	Payable nickel and cobalt in MHP, manganese, magnesium and moisture; purity of the sulphate.
Manganese (battery grade)	Manganese content, trace metals (iron, calcium, magnesium, heavy metals) and moisture.

Common industry practice. Each transaction sets its own specification and assay methods.

Battery and energy metals

Lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickeland manganese for refiners andcathode and anode makers.

Markets and end uses

Where the material goes.

01
Electric vehicles
Cathode and anode materials for traction batteries.
02
Energy storage
Stationary batteries for grids and industry.
03
Electronics
Cells for devices and tools.
04
Alloys
Cobalt and nickel for superalloys and hard metals.

Compliance

Verification first, then thetransaction.

Cobalt supply chains follow the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. The EU Batteries Regulation introduces supply-chain due diligence for cobalt, lithium, nickel and natural graphite.

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