Benchmark to increase publishing frequency of cobalt sulphate and cobalt hydroxide grades to weekly

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence will now publish weekly market price assessments of its Benchmark CIF Asia cobalt hydroxide and EXW China cobalt sulphate price assessments beginning 22 May 2024.

Cobalt metal, cobalt oxide and MHP grades to be assessed on alternate Wednesdays

Moreover, non-weekly cobalt grades assessed by Benchmark will move to a publishing cycle of every two weeks on Wednesdays, to align with the weekly publication.

This evolution allows for the facilitation of more frequent cobalt price assessments within the parameters of Benchmark’s IOSCO compliant cobalt price methodology.

Benchmark’s cobalt prices – every week

Cobalt Hydroxide, CIF Asia, >30%, CoOH

Cobalt Sulphate, EXW China, >20.5%, CoSO4

These two prices are available to Benchmark’s Cobalt Price Assessment Subscribers every Wednesday by 4pm (London), starting 22 May 2024, with market analysis sent out to subscribers soon after.

Benchmark’s cobalt prices – every two weeks

Cobalt Metal, EXW Europe, >99.8%, Co

Cobalt Oxide, EXW China, >72.8%, Co3O4

MHP, CIF Asia, >1%

Aggregate MHP

These four prices will be published by Benchmark every alternate Wednesday by 4pm (London) starting from 15 May 2024, with market analysis sent out to subscribers soon after.

“These latest changes to the frequency of Benchmark’s market leading, IOSCO compliant Cobalt Price Assessments reconfirm our commitment to providing the most trusted actionable intelligence on the lithium ion battery and EV supply chain, and reflect the increased liquidity we have seen in the market,” Daisy Jennings-Gray, Head of Prices at Benchmark, said.

“Pricing mechanisms for cobalt chemicals which are destined for use in lithium ion batteries have bifurcated significantly from cobalt metal prices over the past 24 months. Legacy pricing methodologies, driven by metal demand and pricing dynamics, do not meet the needs of tomorrow’s cathode, cell and EV manufacturers,” said Daniel Fletcher-Manuel, Director of Prices and Data at Benchmark.

Cobalt metal forms expanded to capture liquidity in the market

Along with this increase in frequency, Benchmark is expanding the metal forms acceptable for the assessment of the Benchmark EXW Europe cobalt metal price, to include some cut cathodes, particularly as cut cathode of Chinese origin becomes the most prevalent metal in the European spot market.

Cut cathode originating from Sumitomo and Nikkelverk will be excluded from this price, due to this material being priced differently as it is typically destined for the superalloy market.

Benchmark Price Assessments

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is the world’s number one market price provider for the lithium ion battery to electric vehicle supply chain.

We publish weekly and monthly Price Assessments – Lithium, Cobalt, Natural Graphite, Synthetic Graphite, Nickel, Cathodes, Anodes – to the highest IOSCO standard.

Our cobalt price assessments are created by senior management and price analysts that truly understand the market they are assessing.

They are the world’s most trusted battery supply chain price assessments and used to settle contracts and guide major investment decisions.

To learn more please fill out this contact form: