Tianqi predicts the lithium market will improve within the next few years and has committed to working with top mining companies to explore new resource opportunities. Credit: T. Schneider via Shutterstock.

Chinese lithium production company Tianqi Lithium has recorded its first H1 loss since 2020, citing a huge global price decrease of lithium as the factor.  

Tianqi registered a net loss of 5.2bn yuan for H1 2024, down from a profit of 6.45bn in the same period in 2023.  

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

A global over-supply of lithium has led to slower-than-expected demand from electric vehicle manufacturers, subsequently shifting spot carbonate and spodumene prices to the lowest in three years.  

The global price decrease of the raw material has squeezed lithium production, forcing some companies to rethink extension plans and reduce spending to weather the downturn in price.  

Tianqi said it has changed from a quarterly pricing formula to one that is monthly for spodumene concentrate from its Talison project in Australia.  

The adjustment was made in January and aims to reduce “the adverse impact” from the discrepancy between the different pricing cycles and spot market price.  

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

With operations in China, Australia and Chile, Tianqi predicts the lithium market will improve within the next few years and has committed to working with top mining companies to explore new resource opportunities.  

Speeding up domestic resources is also a priority for Tianqi.  

Whilst having to operate in an extremely volatile lithium market, the company has had to overcome geopolitical and regulatory changes that have been put in place by governments to safeguard access to lithium resources.  

Tianqi has recently been involved in tensions with SQM, despite the Chinese company holding a 22% stake in the company, after calling for the proposed joint venture (JV) between Codelco and SQM to be subject to a shareholder vote.  

Chilean financial regulator the CMF ruled that the partnership between state-owned Codelco and SQM did not require a shareholder vote. Since this decision Tianqi filed an appeal to a court in Chile in attempt to secure the vote.  

The collaboration is set to grant Codelco a 50% plus one share stake in the JV, significantly enhancing the state’s involvement in lithium production, and is expected to enable SQM to increase its output of lithium.  

Chile would be recognised as the world’s second-largest lithium producer if the partnership is successful.