Hyperdrive

Lithium Recovery Has Legs as Demand Outlook Improves, SQM Says

Brine pools at an SQM lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat in the Atacama Desert, Chile.Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By James Attwood

February 28, 2026 at 5:16 AM UTC

Updated on

March 2, 2026 at 4:14 PM UTC

Top lithium producer SQM expects prices for the battery metal to extend gains as demand strengthens and the industry emerges from a global glut.

After posting record sales volume and better-than-expected revenue, SQM said global lithium demand probably will grow about 25% this year, a faster clip than previously indicated, led by electric vehicles and energy-storage systems.