Las Vegas hosts major lithium conference as industry faces pivotal 2025
The Red Rock Casino Resort transformed into a hub for the global lithium industry this week as Fastmarkets hosted its 17th annual Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference from June 23-26. The event drew over 1,000 delegates from 550 companies across 40 countries, making it the largest gathering of lithium industry professionals worldwide.
A market in transition
The conference comes at a crucial time for the lithium market. After experiencing record-high prices in 2022, lithium carbonate prices have stabilized around $10,400 per metric ton in 2025, creating both challenges and opportunities for the industry.
Industry experts predict a shift toward a supply deficit by 2026 as the market rebalances. The current oversupply, estimated at just 10,000 tonnes for 2025, represents a significant tightening from the 154,000-tonne surplus seen in 2024.
Electric vehicle demand drives the conversation
With China expected to sell over 14 million electric cars in 2025 – more than were sold globally in 2023, the electric vehicle market remains the primary driver of lithium demand. Conference attendees discussed how this surge in EV adoption, combined with growing energy storage deployments, will shape the industry’s future.
The conference highlighted that despite current market volatility, global lithium demand rose 30% year-over-year, reaching more than 200,000 tonnes of lithium in recent periods. This growth trajectory underscores the strategic importance of developing reliable supply chains.
Key topics addressed
Throughout the four-day event, industry leaders tackled several pressing issues:
Supply chain regionalization: As Western nations seek to reduce dependence on Chinese lithium processing, which currently controls about 65% of global refining capacity, discussions centered on building domestic capabilities in North America and Europe.
Technology innovations: Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies emerged as a game-changer, particularly for projects in Arkansas’s Smackover formation and Nevada’s lithium-bearing clays.
Policy challenges: Speakers emphasized the need for consistent government policies that balance environmental concerns with the urgency of developing domestic lithium resources.
Market dynamics: With approximately one-third of lithium producers currently unprofitable at current prices, the industry is experiencing consolidation and strategic realignments.
Nevada’s strategic position
Las Vegas proved an ideal location for the conference, positioned at the heart of North America’s emerging lithium landscape. Nevada’s diverse lithium resources – including hard rock, clay, and brine deposits – represent significant opportunities for domestic production.
The conference also addressed the growing importance of battery recycling, though speakers noted that recyclers face tight margins and regulatory uncertainties. As battery deployments accelerate, developing efficient recycling systems becomes increasingly critical for creating sustainable supply chains.
Looking ahead
While short-term market conditions remain challenging, conference participants expressed optimism about the long-term outlook. The fundamental demand growth driven by global electrification efforts creates a strong foundation for the industry’s future.
As one industry expert noted during the conference, successful companies will be those that can navigate current market volatility while positioning themselves for the expected supply constraints emerging after 2026. This includes investing in new extraction technologies, building strategic partnerships, and maintaining financial discipline through market cycles.
The next edition of the conference is already scheduled for June 2026, reflecting the industry’s continued evolution and Las Vegas’s growing importance as a meeting point for global lithium stakeholders.
Image Source: https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/lithium-supply-conference-las-vegas-2025/
Category: Business
Subcategory: Industry & Trade
Date: 07/04/2025
