Battery makers sweat as China policy hits antimony supply

Restrictions on exports of key mineral a 'national emergency', writes Melanie Burton

- Melanie Burton

When China restricts exports of a key mineral, sometimes the pain is sudden and even crippling enough to spur a major outcry almost immediately. Other times, it takes longer to be felt.

For the world's makers of lead-acid batteries, China's restrictions on critical mineral antimony that were put in place late last year have become a major headache one that their customers also now have, as sky-high procurement costs are passed on.

"We consider it a national emergency," said Steve Christensen, executive director at the US-based Responsible Battery Coalition, whose members include battery maker Clarios, Honda and FedEx.

He noted the key role batteries play in industry and civilian life, how antimony is used in military equipment, as well as the surge in spot prices. Antimony now costs more than $60,000 (1,968,900 baht) per metric tonne, having more than quadrupled over the past year.

"There are no quick solutions... We were completely caught off guard collectively, as an industry," he said.

China likely produced 60% of all antimony supply in 2024, according to the United States Geological Survey. Much of the antimony mined in other countries is also sent to China for processing.

Beijing added the mineral to its export control list last September, requiring companies to gain licences for each overseas antimony deal. It then followed up in December with an outright ban on shipments to the US an action seen as retaliatory after Washington further restricted exports of advanced semiconductors to Chinese companies.

China's global exports of antimony are now just a third of levels seen this time last year.