Lithium in figures

Readingtime 2 minutes
Save as PDF

This lightweight metal, along with elements such as cobalt, nickel, and copper, is one of the most important raw materials for the energy transformation. Here’s an overview of its economic significance

publication date14TH SEPTEMBER 2022

INFOGRAPHIC MAXIMILIAN NERTINGER

Indispensable for energy storage
Use of lithium in 2015, in percent
The largest suppliers
Lithium extraction in 2021* in metric tons
Scarce and expensive
Price of a ton of lithium carbonate in Chinese yuan
The demand is growing
Increase in demand for selected metals to be used in technologies for the utilization of renewable energies in Europe in 2050 compared to 2020*, in percent

Read more here: A new direction for lithium recycling

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, German Mineral Resources Agency, KU Leuven, Trading Economics

PUBLICATION DATE

12th September 2022

Efficiency enhancement

Microreactors from the 3D printer

Additive manufacturing opens the door to lower CO2 emissions and less energy consumption in chemical production.

Lithium-ion batteries

Nobel Prize 2019

The invention of the lithium-ion battery

How the recipients of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry advanced the development of the lithium-ion battery.

The energy transition

Why wind power and photovoltaics are essential

It’s challenging: Professor Volker Quaschning talks about the switch to renewable energies.

Batteries

Stored Power

Researchers are working on innovative energy storage systems—and discovering new potential in established technologies.

ELEMENTS Newsletter
Get fascinating insights into the research Evonik is conducting, and its social relevance, by subscribing to our free newsletter.
Subscribe now for free