Albemarle CorpChile's lithium exports nearly tripled due to strong global demand from EVs, energy storage, and AI, benefiting Albemarle as one of only two producers.

The Chilean government announced on the 8th that lithium exports in the first half of this year surged to nearly three times the level of the same period last year. Lithium export revenue reached 3.2 billion dollars in the first half, a 34.4 percent increase from the full-year export figure for 2025. Rising prices and robust global demand driven by electric vehicles, energy storage, and artificial intelligence-related technologies provided a boost. Total mining exports in the first half rose 20.4 percent to 36.9 billion dollars, with lithium carbonate leading the growth in lithium exports, followed by lithium sulfate and lithium hydroxide. Chile currently has only two lithium producers, Sociedad Química y Minera and US-based Albemarle, and the government is seeking to expand the sector through state-to-state partnerships and privately operated projects.
Albemarle CorpChile's lithium exports nearly tripled due to strong global demand from EVs, energy storage, and AI, benefiting Albemarle as one of only two producers.