Lithium hydroxide markets in the US firmed through April and climbed into early May as tight spot availability and firmer upstream benchmarks supported seller confidence. Demand from EV and energy storage segments remained steady, sustaining near-term procurement activity despite potential new domestic supply developments. April purchases were underpinned by battery-grade hydroxide, with cathode producers, battery manufacturers, and energy storage buyers active. Disciplined supplier inventory management and inflows of higher-priced imported cargoes kept lithium hydroxide bids elevated, fueling the early May uptick. Global benchmarks, notably from China, moved higher in April, lifting import pricing and prompting firmer domestic offers, while higher freight costs added landed premiums. EnergyX's demonstration plant and plans for a larger hydroxide facility signal incremental future supply, yet near-term availability remained constrained by limited spot inventories and seller discipline. Looking ahead, near-term stability is expected, supported by elevated freight and logistics premiums and steady EV/energy storage demand, with buyers cautious on procurement timing and vessel availability shaping movements.
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.
