Albemarle Ramps Lithium Expansion as Energy Storage Volumes Rise 11%

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Summary · why it matters

Albemarle Corporation is pushing ahead with lithium capacity expansion projects across Chile and Australia as it looks to convert strong battery and energy storage demand into higher sales volumes. The company's Energy Storage unit posted an 11% year-over-year increase in second-quarter sales volumes, supported by its integrated conversion facilities, while the Salar yield improvement project in Chile has reached a 50-60% operating rate. In March 2026, Albemarle submitted the environmental assessment permit for a commercial direct lithium extraction project at Salar de Atacama, where its DLE pilot plant has demonstrated lithium recoveries of more than 90%, and the CGP3 expansion at the Greenbushes spodumene mine in Australia is expected to reach full production in the first quarter of 2027. Among peers, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile logged record second-quarter lithium sales volumes of more than 84,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, with its Nova Andino Litio business up roughly 47% year over year, and Rio Tinto achieved first production ahead of plan at its Fénix expansion and Sal de Vida projects in Argentina, with its fully owned Rincon Lithium Project on track for first production in 2028. Rio Tinto holds a 53.9% stake in the Nemaska Lithium project, a fully integrated spodumene-to-lithium hydroxide development, with first production also planned for 2028. Albemarle shares have gained 41.5% over the past year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate implies a 1,541.8% year-over-year rise in 2026 earnings, though EPS estimates have trended lower over the past 60 days.

Impact on stocks 3

Critical Materials & Supply Chain▲ · 3 stocks
Albemarle Corp
ALB
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Albemarle's Energy Storage unit posted 11% YoY Q2 sales volume growth, driving its lithium capacity expansion in Chile and Australia.

Rio Tinto PLC
RIO
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Rio Tinto achieved first production ahead of plan at its Fénix expansion and Sal de Vida projects, with Rincon on track for 2028.

Theme Impact 1

Off-coverage companies 2

Nova Andino LitioPrivate▲ Positive
Demandrelevance

SQM's Nova Andino Litio business logged record Q2 lithium sales volumes, up roughly 47% YoY.

Nemaska LithiumPrivate± Mixed
relevance

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