In this era of sustainability, the battery metals market plays a key role in the energy transition. Lithium, nickel, and cobalt drive demand for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and electronics. Now confining to lithium, its compounds namely lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide power the battery cathodes for highly efficient storage.
Beyond batteries, lithium has diverse uses in glass, lubricants, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. In 2025, the top battery-grade lithium producers are focusing on sustainability and making efforts to stabilize the supply chains to meet growing demand.
Lithium’s Contribution to Reduced Automotive Life Cycle Emissions
The industry is further transforming through mergers and partnerships, enhancing resource access and supply chains to meet global needs. However, challenges remain. Rising demand risks supply chain strain, stricter environmental rules push for greener practices, and most significantly the fluctuating prices affect profits.
To thrive in this turbulent market, these top producers are constantly innovating and collaborating, ensuring they overcome obstacles while driving the global energy shift. So who are the top lithium producers fueling the battery market in 2025? Find out…
1. Albemarle Corporation: The Lithium Powerhouse
Albemarle Corporation, with a market cap of $11.08 billion in January 2025, leads the lithium industry. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, it plays a key role in the clean energy transition.
The company supplies lithium to major EV manufacturers worldwide. Its operations in Chile, Australia, and the U.S. make it a global leader. In Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Albemarle runs one of the world’s most advanced lithium facilities. This site focuses on cutting-edge technology and development, reinforcing its industry leadership.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Albemarle leads in innovation with technologies like lithium sulfide and ultra-thin lithium anodes. These advancements increase energy density, reduce battery weight, and extend EV range. The company has invested heavily in new facilities to boost lithium hydroxide production, essential for EV batteries.
Collaborations with Tesla and General Motors highlight Albemarle’s role in the EV ecosystem. The company is committed to sustainability, and reducing carbon emissions during lithium production. These efforts align with global green energy goals and reinforce Albemarle’s industry leadership.
Albemarle’s focus on innovation and sustainability keeps it ahead in the growing lithium market. As the world shifts to cleaner energy, Albemarle ensures it remains a key player in powering the future.
2. Sociedad QuĂmica y Minera de Chile (SQM): A Lithium Giant with a Sustainable Focus
As of January 2025, Sociedad QuĂmica y Minera (SQM) boasts a market cap of $11.04 billion, solidifying its position as one of the largest lithium producers globally. The Chilean company leverages the country’s vast lithium reserves in the Atacama Desert. SQM plays a pivotal role in the global lithium supply chain with its vertically integrated operations and cost-efficient production methods,
The company sources raw materials like brine and caliche from its operations in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. This brine is used to produce key battery materials such as lithium carbonate, potassium chloride, and potassium sulfate.
S&P Global reported SQM is ramping up production to meet surging demand, with plans to reach 230,000 metric tons of lithium in 2025.
Expansion efforts in Australia, Chile, and China, including a new conversion plant in China, underpin this growth. Despite declining lithium prices, SQM remains optimistic, driven by a projected 20% increase in global lithium demand, especially from electric vehicle (EV) markets in China.
Sustainability and Strategic Partnerships
SQM is committed to sustainable practices to lower brine extraction rates and integrate renewable energy into its operations. The company also engages local communities, promoting social well-being while minimizing its environmental impact.
Strategic partnerships further bolster SQM’s market position. Agreements with LG Energy Solution and SK On enhance its role in the EV supply chain and ensure steady demand for its lithium. Additionally, lithium and its derivatives now contribute 79% of SQM’s gross margin, highlighting their significance in the company’s portfolio.
SQM aligns with global sustainability goals and meets the growing need for battery metals by focusing on “Green Lithium” production and investing in innovative technologies.
3. Ganfeng Lithium: China’s Lithium Leader
As of January 2025, Ganfeng Lithium, headquartered in Jiangxi, China, has a market cap of HKD 64.83 billion. As one of the world’s largest lithium producers, Ganfeng has a robust supply chain that supports competitive pricing and high production volumes.
The company supplies premium lithium hydroxide products to leading lithium battery and EV manufacturers, earning its reputation for technological excellence and reliable quality.
Sustainably Sourcing Lithium
Notably, EVs using Ganfeng’s lithium salt products traveled over 129 billion kilometers between 2015 and 2022. This achievement reduced CO2 emissions by 32.26 million tons which aligned with the environmental benefits of EV adoption.
Furthermore, Ganfeng’s lithium batteries play a crucial role in energy storage. They store solar and wind energy, ensuring renewable energy is reliable and accessible. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, these batteries help lower carbon emissions and support global clean energy goals.
The company’s sustainability goals revolve around battery recycling which is a critical part of the EV supply chain. The company’s recycling projects recover valuable materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from retired batteries.
These efforts reduce resource waste and support the transition to renewable energy. Ganfeng’s lithium batteries are also used in energy storage systems, helping store solar and wind energy while cutting fossil fuel usage and lowering carbon emissions.
Lithium Capacity Boost by 2025
However, the company faces challenges as its production capacity has outpaced project development. To address this, Ganfeng plans to boost its annual lithium compounds capacity to 300,000 tonnes LCE by 2025, aiming for 70% self-sufficiency.
Ganfeng also announced last year a joint feasibility study with Pilbara Minerals Limited highlights to expand its lithium production. Its innovation in recycling and its dominance in China’s lithium market make it a key player in the global clean energy transition.
4. Tianqi Lithium: An Expanding Global Player
With a market cap of 49.33 billion CNY, Tianqi Lithium stands out as a major force in the lithium industry. The company has a strong presence in China and Australia, thanks to its joint venture with Albemarle at the Greenbushes lithium mine. This mine, located in Western Australia, is one of the largest and highest-grade lithium resources globally.
High-Quality Resources
Tianqi relies on top-tier lithium resources to drive its business. The Greenbushes mine and the Cuola mine in Sichuan ensure a stable, cost-effective supply of high-quality lithium raw materials. This stability enhances efficiency, flexibility, and reliability in Tianqi’s downstream chemical production.
Notably, the Greenbushes mine, managed through Talison Lithium, has been in operation for over 30 years. Recent expansions have boosted its annual production capacity to 1.62 million tonnes of lithium concentrate, cementing its critical role in the global market.
Strategic Investments for Growth
Tianqi is investing heavily in downstream processing, including lithium hydroxide facilities. These efforts aim to add value to the battery supply chain and meet surging demand for premium lithium products. With its strategic partnerships and focus on innovation, Tianqi is well-positioned for growth in the competitive battery metals market.
5. Mineral Resources: Australia’s Rising Star
With a market cap of A$7.28 billion, Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) is a top diversified resources company headquartered in Perth, Australia. Its operations span lithium, iron ore, energy, and mining services across Western Australia, making it a major player in the mining industry.
World-Class Lithium Assets
MinRes manages some of the world’s most prominent lithium projects, including the Wodgina and Mount Marion mines. The Wodgina mine, one of the largest known hard rock lithium deposits, is a joint venture with Albemarle Corporation, with MinRes overseeing all mining activities. It includes a spodumene concentrate processing plant with an annual capacity of 900,000 tonnes (SC5.5).
Mount Marion, another key operation, produces up to 600,000 tonnes (SC6 equivalent) of spodumene concentrate annually. This project is co-owned with Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium. The spodumene is transported to the Port of Esperance for export, serving global markets.
Expanding Operations and Sustainability
MinRes acquired the Bald Hill mine in 2023, boosting production by adding 150,000 tonnes (SC6 equivalent) of spodumene annually. Located near Mount Marion, this site leverages shared infrastructure.
Apart from supporting decarbonization, MinRes Australian operations add strategic value to global supply chains.
Recent cuts in lithium investments and project expansions may lead to supply shortages. Albemarle predicts that these constraints could disrupt the market in the mid-term, emphasizing the need for increased production and sustainable sourcing.
However, as the energy transition accelerates, the role of these battery-grade lithium producers will become even more critical to stabilize the lithium market.
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Li-FT Power: Exploring & Developing Hard Rock Lithium Deposits in Canada
Li-FT Power Ltd. (TSXV: LIFT) recently announced its first-ever National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Yellowknife Lithium Project (YLP), located in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
An Initial Mineral Resource of 50.4 Million Tonnes at Yellowknife.
This maiden estimate is a major milestone for the company and marks a significant step forward in the project’s development. Li-FT Power’s upcoming mineral resource is expected to further solidify Yellowknife as one of North America’s largest hardrock lithium resources.