Cobalt
Cobalt is a critical metal for lithium-ion battery cathodes (NMC, NCA chemistries) and superalloy applications in jet engines. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces over 70% of global cobalt, raising ethical sourcing concerns. LME and Fastmarkets MB provide benchmark pricing.
- LME Grade (99.8%)
- Battery Grade (99.95%)
- Cobalt Hydroxide
- CIF
- CIP
- DAP
Cobalt, in brief.
- Common origins
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Russia
- Australia
- Philippines
- Cuba
- Common destinations
- China
- Finland
- Belgium
- Japan
- Canada
- Grades and specifications
- LME Grade (99.8%)
- Battery Grade (99.95%)
- Cobalt Hydroxide
- Incoterms
- CIF
- CIP
- DAP
- Unit of measure
- Metric Tons
Trading Cobalt
Find the companies that produce, trade and buy Cobalt in the CTX Directory, post RFQs and offers with the grade, quantity and delivery terms you need, and run each deal through milestones that follow the incoterm. Verified members are marked, and every member carries a trust score.
Who trades Cobalt?
The CTX Directory maps the companies behind a commodity: producers, traders and buyers, with the decision-makers to unlock. Ask in plain words and see who fits.
Related market pages.
- Iron Ore FinesIron ore fines are the most traded seaborne iron ore product, with particle sizes below 6.3mm. They are sintered before being charged into blast furnaces for pig iron production. The benchmark Platts IODEX (62% Fe CFR China) is the global reference price for iron ore fines.
- Iron Ore LumpIron ore lump is a directly chargeable blast furnace feed with particle sizes between 6.3mm and 31.5mm. It commands a lump premium over fines because it does not require sintering, saving energy and capex for steelmakers. Australian Pilbara lump is the most widely traded grade.
- Iron Ore PelletsIron ore pellets are spherical agglomerates of fine ore concentrate, hardened in kilns at 1,200-1,350 degrees Celsius. They offer superior blast furnace performance with higher iron content (65-67% Fe), better reducibility, and uniform size. DR-grade pellets feed direct reduction plants for DRI/HBI production.
- BauxiteBauxite is the primary ore of aluminum, processed through the Bayer process to produce alumina, which is then smelted into aluminum. Guinea and Australia hold the largest reserves. Bauxite quality is determined by available alumina content, reactive silica, and moisture levels.
- Chrome OreChrome ore (chromite) is the sole commercial source of chromium, essential for stainless steel production via ferro chrome. South Africa controls over 70% of global chromite reserves. Ore grades are classified by Cr2O3 content, with metallurgical grade (40%+ Cr2O3) commanding the highest prices.
- Lithium Ore (Spodumene)Spodumene is the most important hard-rock lithium mineral, containing up to 8% Li2O. It is converted into lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate for use in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. Australian spodumene concentrates (SC6, ~6% Li2O) dominate seaborne trade.
Find the counterparties for your next Cobalt cargo.
Free to start, no card. CTX Premium when you are ready to reach decision-makers.