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Implications for the carrying capacity of lithium reserve in China

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  • Zeng, Xianlai
  • Li, Jinhui

Abstract

China is a major supplier of rechargeable lithium batteries for the world's consumer electronics (CE) and electric vehicles (EV). Consequently, China's domestic lithium resources are being rapidly depleted, and the development of the CE and EV industries will be vulnerable to the carrying capacity of China's lithium reserves. Here we find that lithium demand in China will increase significantly due to the continuing growth of demand for CE and the briskly emerging market for EV, resulting in a short carrying duration of lithium, even with full recycling of end-of-life lithium products. With these applications increasing at an annual rate of 7%, the carrying duration of lithium reserves will oblige the end-of-life products recycling with a 90% rate. To sustain the lithium industry, one approach would be to develop the collection system and recycling technology of lithium-containing waste for closed-loop lithium recycling, and other future endeavors should include developing the low-lithium battery and optimizing lithium industrial structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeng, Xianlai & Li, Jinhui, 2013. "Implications for the carrying capacity of lithium reserve in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 58-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:80:y:2013:i:c:p:58-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.08.003
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    3. Wang, Xiao-Qing & Qin, Meng & Moldovan, Nicoleta-Claudia & Su, Chi-Wei, 2023. "Bubble behaviors in lithium price and the contagion effect: An industry chain perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Shao, Liuguo & Hu, Jianying & Zhang, Hua, 2021. "Evolution of global lithium competition network pattern and its influence factors," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. Nuno Domingues, 2022. "Lithium Prospection in Portugal for E-Mobility and Solar PV Expansion," Commodities, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Li, Baihua & Li, Huajiao & Dong, Zhiliang & Lu, Yu & Liu, Nairong & Hao, Xiaoqing, 2021. "The global copper material trade network and risk evaluation: A industry chain perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    7. Shao, Liuguo & Kou, Wenwen & Zhang, Hua, 2022. "The evolution of the global cobalt and lithium trade pattern and the impacts of the low-cobalt technology of lithium batteries based on multiplex network," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    8. Zeng, Xianlai & Li, Jinhui, 2015. "On the sustainability of cobalt utilization in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 12-18.
    9. Lu, Bin & Liu, Jingru & Yang, Jianxin, 2017. "Substance flow analysis of lithium for sustainable management in mainland China: 2007–2014," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 109-116.

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