On January 2, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce released a notice titled “Notice on Adjustments to the Public Consultation for the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Exporting from China.” This notice proposes potential export restrictions on specific technologies related to battery cathode materials and lithium processing. The ministry has invited feedback on these proposals, with a submission deadline of February 1, 2025.
The proposed restrictions focus on certain technologies within the chemical raw materials and chemical product manufacturing industry, particularly those involved in the preparation of battery cathode materials. The key technologies under consideration are:
1. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery Material Preparation Technology:
- Chemical Formula: LiₓFe_yM_zPO₄, where x, y, z ≥ 0, and M represents one or more elements other than lithium (Li) and iron (Fe).
- Material Characteristics:
- Powder compact density of at least 2.58 g/cm³ under a pressure of 300 MPa.
- Reversible capacity of at least 160 mAh/g at a discharge rate of 0.1C.
- Initial Coulombic efficiency of at least 97%.
2. Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) Battery Material Preparation Technology:
- Chemical Formula: LiₓFe_yMn_zM_aPO₄, where x, y, z, a ≥ 0, and M represents one or more elements other than lithium (Li), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn).
- Material Characteristics:
- Powder compact density of at least 2.38 g/cm³ under 300 MPa.
- Initial Coulombic efficiency of at least 90%.
- Reversible capacity of at least 155 mAh/g at 0.1C, with an average operating voltage of at least 3.85 V.
- Capacity retention rates of at least 97% at 1C discharge and 95% at 2C discharge.
3. Phosphate-Based Cathode Precursor Preparation Technology:
- Includes the production of iron phosphate, manganese iron phosphate, battery-grade ferrous oxalate, and battery-grade lithium phosphate dihydrogen.
- Iron Phosphate Specifications:
- Tap density greater than 2.1 g/cm³.
- Magnetic impurities less than 10 parts per billion (ppb).
In the non-ferrous metal smelting and rolling industry, the proposed adjustments include:
1. Modification to Non-Ferrous Metallurgical Technology:
- Expansion to include the extraction of gallium from alumina mother liquor using methods such as ion exchange techniques.
2. New Additions to Non-Ferrous Metallurgical Technology:
- Spodumene-Based Lithium Extraction for Lithium Carbonate Production:
- Techniques for producing lithium carbonate from purified lithium solutions.
- Includes thermal decomposition, carbonization refinement, mother liquor recycling, and automated continuous production control systems.
- Incorporates lithium hydroxide carbonization processes.
- Spodumene-Based Lithium Extraction for Lithium Hydroxide Production:
- Techniques involving sodium separation via cryogenic crystallization, evaporation crystallization technology, and pulverizing and drying technology.
- Utilizes automated continuous production control systems.
- Metallic Lithium and Lithium Alloy Preparation Technology:
- Multi-anode electrolysis technology.
- Distillation and purification processes for metallic lithium.
- Rolling and processing technology for metallic lithium and lithium alloys.
- Direct Lithium Extraction from Brines:
- Synthesis of aluminum-based, titanium-based, and manganese-based adsorbent materials.
- Integration of adsorption and membrane systems using Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controlled processes.
- Preparation of Purified Lithium Solutions:
- Impurity removal using ion exchange techniques.
- Elimination of elements such as boron, calcium, potassium, sodium, and sulfur.
- Use of membrane separation and electrodialysis for impurity removal.
These proposed restrictions are indicative of China’s intent to protect its technological advancements in battery materials and lithium processing. Organizations and individuals involved in these sectors are encouraged to review the proposed changes thoroughly. Feedback and comments can be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce before the deadline on February 1, 2025.
Source: Shanghai Metals Market
