Lithium carbonate prices in Chile rose sharply in April 2026, signaling a strong recovery in global markets after a period of weakness. The increase was driven by tightening supply conditions and sustained demand from the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. Disruptions in key producing regions reduced availability of raw materials, leading to lower inventories and stronger pricing for lithium carbonate, particularly battery-grade material. At the same time, demand remained resilient as automakers and energy companies continued to secure future production needs. Chile’s position as a major supplier helped stabilize global markets, with producers maintaining steady operations and fulfilling rising export demand. Government policies aimed at strengthening oversight of lithium extraction also contributed to a more controlled supply environment. Despite ongoing investments in new projects, supply growth has not yet matched accelerating consumption. As a result, lithium carbonate remains a strategically important commodity, with market conditions expected to stay firm in the near term.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
