Late-February activity in the US lithium-hydroxide market turned firmer as spot demand picked up after a mid-month lull. Early February saw volatility as cathode plants trimmed forward purchases while ample imports flowed into the Gulf Coast, keeping the market broadly balanced. Mid-month weakness reflected inventory digestion and wider availability of cheaper hydroxide; however, by month-end, buyers on the spot desk re-entered, shifting sentiment from neutral to cautiously firmer. The market moved from subdued buying to selective replenishment, with steady production and import coverage helping cap upside. Demand from the batteries and cathode sectors remained the dominant driver, yet its impact was tempered by cathode producers holding substantial stock and trimming near-term purchases. This backdrop limited the scale of gains even as benchmark levels rose. Supply dynamics supported imports of cheaper hydroxide, widening availability and easing near-term tightness in the Gulf Coast. Outlook points to a range-bound to stable pattern, with imports, steady inventories, and cautious contract-led demand offsetting downside pressure.
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.
