Antimony Shortage Grips Battery Makers After China's Export Curbs
Lead-acid battery manufacturers are facing increasing challenges due to China's restrictions on antimony exports, implemented late last year. This has led to soaring procurement costs, with antimony prices quadrupling to over $60,000 per metric ton.
Impact on Industry
Steve Christensen of the Responsible Battery Coalition, including members like Clarios, Honda, and FedEx, described the situation as a "national emergency," highlighting antimony's importance in both industry and military applications.
China's Export Controls
China, which reportedly produced 60% of the world's antimony in 2024, added the mineral to its export control list in September and banned shipments to the U.S. in December, seen as retaliation for U.S. semiconductor export restrictions. This has reduced China's antimony exports to a third of last year's levels, forcing U.S. companies to rely on a costly "grey market".
Trade Relations
These restrictions are separate from earlier controls on rare earths and magnets and were not addressed in recent trade talks between China and the U.S. Lead-acid batteries, crucial for starting gasoline engines and providing backup power, are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the antimony shortage.