E22 - The Clash. Werewolves of L(ondon)ME Week Calling. BNEF, Rio & More!

The tenure of Lithium-ion Rocks' co-host Howard Klein’s four day London visit for LME Week remained relatively bearish lithium and broader resource market as tariffs inflicted on aluminum and steel have had a real impact and ongoing trade war, slowing China GDP, negative EU yields, Brexit and impeachment narrative overhangs are all weighing on sentiment.

And yet, kernels of optimism from cash flow machine Rio Tinto CEO J-S Jacques as 60%+ iron ore EBITDA margins and reduced gearing enables a vision built on decade of discipline and peering into a future challenged by complex geopolitics, disruptive technology and broader environment/societal considerations. SUSTAINABILITY.

The LME's announced advisory committee for lithium price - including Tesla, Jaguar, BASF, Tianqi and Albemarle - revived "The Clash" among price reporting agencies and other forecasters.

Bloomberg NEF's Sophie Lu and James Frith join Rodney and Howard with their bullish views on nickel-based cathode chemistries. "We see battery grade hydroxide that reach the specs needed to be very tight, even in the short term.... Around 40% of battery grade capacity are being developed not by Tier One producers...Any one project not fulfilling the time lines could result in short-term deficit..."

Podcast Index

0- 12 - Takeaways & Excerpts from LME Week Battery Materials Presenters
12-21 - Rio Tinto Key Note Speech Excerpts
21-47 - Interview with BNEF's Sophie Lu and James Frith