Lithium hydroxide prices in the US cooled in early February after a January rally, as momentum shifted to consolidation. Early January inventories tightened, and recyclers flagged scrap shortages, boosting secondary supply strain; mid-month, OEMs and cathode makers intensified buying, while late-January activity leaned toward forward purchases tied to large battery-plant investments. In early February, the market paused as spot participants pulled back after front-loading volumes, producing a weekly correction despite demand remaining solid. Demand from the automotive and battery sectors underpins the market for Lithium Hydroxide Battery grade DDP USGC, with converters, OEMs, and cathode producers actively purchasing material. The January assessment showed a fifty percent MoM rise that squeezed available spot cargoes. Upstream and feedstock dynamics amplified cost pressure across the value chain; recyclers paying premiums for scrap batteries reduced secondary feedstock availability, and import reliance remained high with tariff-related costs elevating landed costs. Looking ahead, the market is likely to stay firm, barring scrap improvements or moderating import costs.
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.
