Episode 211: Smackover, SQM & Oz

Sam Pigott is the CEO of Lithium Argentina. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Fastmarkets event In Las VegasTopics:Sam's backstoryStatus of CauchariRelationship with GanfengThe JV model with GanfengBuilding 150K MT of new capacity in Salta ProvinceAreas of focusLong-term supply challengesLeveraging DLE for lower costProduct optionalityGrowing as a leaderInfrastructure needs in ArgentinaThe talent poolLocal politicsSuccess factorsSam's recent China visitRapid fire

My guests are Summit Nanotech CEO Amanda Hall and President Joe Arencibia. Topics:Being a troublemakerDefining DLEDLE " flavors"Amanda's "rules" for SummitComplexity vs scaleWater usageRecovery ratesSurviving in a down marketStanding out vs competitorsChinese competitionDLE in 2030What's next?Rapid fire

A solo episode with comments on the royalty hearing in Arkansas this week, SQM's earnings call and a "doom & gloom" analyst call "Down Under".

Yuan Gao is one of the most experienced voices in the lithium ion battery world with more than a quarter century of experience across countries, companies and technologies. Topics:Reasons behind CATL & BYD's successThe China battery ecosystem"Dare to gamble"Is battery success possible in North America?Cathode developmentsComparing China's cost structure to ROWThe CATL "playbook"Leveraging vertical integration to lower lithium pricesPrice expectationsThe cost curveSodium ion leverage?Solid state batteriesLithium metal batteriesRapid fire

Carlos Galli is the VP of Growth & Innovation at Lithium Argentina. He is a global expert in lithium brine technology.Topics:Argentina's growing competitiveness in lithiumThe arrival of "big balance sheets" in the PunaLithium's need for transparencyLearnings from ChinaBattery/cathode techThe China lithium reprocessing industryIs lithium chloride the "NBT"?The partnership with GanfengThe DLE demo plantAdvantages of solvent of extractionWhy ponds with DLE make senseCauchari updateTeamworkWhy companies struggle with DLERapid fire

Carlos Vicens is the founder and CEO of Full Circle Lithium, a company that has developed an effective fire extinguishing agent for lithium fires. As the world moves to electric transportation and large scale BESS (battery energy storage systems) the risk to life and property from lithium fires has grown exponentially. Full Circle Lithium believes their FCL-X product is a viable solution to the problem.Topics:How significant an issue are lithium fires?Why lithium fires are so challenging to extinguishThe teamPartnershipsThe regulatory environmentShould lithium fires have a special classification?Fire testsHow FCL-X worksTraining fire departmentsPlaying with (lithium) fireNext steps

Austin Devaney has a wealth of lithium experience from a decade with Rockwood/Albemarle, his time with Piedmont Lithium and his new advisory business: Li7 Charged.Topics:The state of the industrySupply/demandChina's price strategy The importance of Rio Tinto's entryThe rush to AfricaA "China build" vs the WestThe new cost curveThe future of US lithiumCathode (ex China)Elon dramaAlbemarle's woesWhat is the incentive price?Rapid fire

Dr Frank Jackel is the co-founder and Managing Director of Metals Hub (metals-hub.com @metals-hub on X).Metals Hub is a leading software solutions provider that optimizes procurement processes. One of the most significant issues facing the lithium industry is lack of clarity on pricing. Metals Hub is part of the solution to that problem. I have no financial interest in Metals Hub. Nor was I compensated for having them on the podcast.Topics: What Metals Hub doesThe need for price transparencyAlbemarle - the first lithium clientThe mechanics of a lithium sales eventBenefits to clients beyond auctionsThe trend toward spot pricingThe advantage of being based outside ChinaProviding a level of trust in the marketWhen will the lithium market mature?The future influence of AIRapid fire

This is a solo episode answering listener questions. I also discuss what I learned at a recent conference in Florida.

Andy Leyland (@andyleyland1 on X) is the founder and MD of Supply Chain Insights (@insights_SC on X). Supply Chain Insights is a leading advisory firm on all things related to the lithium ion battery supply chain.Topics:State of the LIB supply chainChina vs the rest of the worldBattery demand growth in 2025Korea's bet on the USIs LFP "the answer" for North America?President Trump and critical metalsMarket "reset" or "new normal"CATL's lepidolite restartPrice in 2025 and beyondThe incentive price for western projectsContracts: the latest trendsThe cost curveConversion projects ex ChinaThe change industry structure (Rio, Exxon, etc)The futures market