Albemarle

Type: Company | Ticker: ALB (NYSE) | Sub-theme: Lithium

Albemarle is the world's largest publicly-listed lithium producer. It operates lithium production from brines (Atacama, Chile, via Rockwood Chile), hard rock (Greenbushes, Australia, via 49% stake in TLEA JV with Tianqi), and US operations. During the 2023-2025 lithium price crash, Albemarle announced production curtailments, cost-cutting, and capex deferrals. As lithium prices rebound in 2026, the company is among the key beneficiaries of the structural deficit emerging from curtailed capacity.

Key Facts

• Greenbushes (WA, Australia): world's largest and highest-grade hard-rock lithium mine (49% stake)
• Atacama brine (Chile): low-cost brine operation
• Kings Mountain, NC: historical US mine, being redeveloped (DoE loan awarded)
• 2025 curtailments: reduced production at Silver Peak (NV), deferred capex broadly
• Competitor reference: SQM (Chile, lower-cost brine, more lithium-pure), Ganfeng, Tianqi (China)

Mentioned In

• Lithium Price Cycle — Albemarle curtailments are a key supply-side driver of the 2026 deficit