Cathode & Precursor: 5 things to look for in 2026

Volatility was prevalent last year. At a macro-level, “Liberation day” saw a wave of tariffs sweep over global markets. It became quite obvious who was in and out of favour with the US administration. Cuts to new energy projects left investors questioning whether they had made the right call and governments began to forcibly drive-up commodity prices with restrictions on exports. Despite all of this, the battery and subsequent cathode market remains intact, albeit some countries remain better placed to serve the market than before, while others are not. This insight covers five things we think will shape the battery midstream in 2026 - South Korea stepping in to fill the North American supply gap, greater development and deployment of Na-ion, the future of high-nickel chemistries, new or intensified legislation, and the impact of even more volatility on long-term strategic planning.