SQMi Joins Metalshub to Enhance Lithium Pricing Transparency and Performance

Düsseldorf, Germany, May 8 2025 – Metalshub, the leading software platform provider for raw material procurement and sales, is happy to announce that SQM International Lithium (SQMi) has successfully leveraged its digital platform to conduct bidding events in the spot market to discover prices better. This strategic collaboration, which has been ongoing since the summer of 2024, aims to explore price discovery for lithium products while ensuring a fair and transparent process for all customers.

SQMi is set to utilise Metalshub’s software to launch more bidding events for spodumene concentrate. So far, it has realised great sales performance and streamlined a process that is complex due to the number of participants. “We were positively surprised by the active presence of different players in the battery supply chain ecosystem,” said Andres Fontannaz, Commercial Vice President at SQMi. This reinforces SQMi’s efforts to explore new digital technologies for lithium commercialisation.

As an independent software provider, Metalshub enables lithium producers like SQMi to receive bids from potential buyers and conclude legally binding transactions digitally. Different auction formats may be chosen, or alternatively, bidding may also proceed through several rounds of bilateral negotiations. The process is secure and efficient, allowing the seller to evaluate multiple bids and select the most competitive one. The democratisation of information through these events reduces the risk of information asymmetry and bias. “We are satisfied with the support from the Metalshub team, how user-friendly the software is, and how transparent the process was,” explained Jade Chen, Head of the Shanghai Commercial Office at SQMi.

Dr Frank Jackel, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Metalshub, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “It is becoming clear that reliable and structured price discovery is key for the industry. We are happy to support the efforts of SQMi with our Metalshub Sales Solution, which allows running digital e-bidding events and auctions.”

SQM International Lithium (SQMi) is a specialised business unit within the Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Group (NYSE: SQM), focused on the development and operation of lithium projects worldwide. SQMi’s portfolio encompasses a diverse range of lithium assets across multiple geographies covering various stages of development. Among its key assets are a 50% stake in the Mt Holland Joint Venture, an integrated spodumene mine and concentrator with a lithium hydroxide refinery in Western Australia, and a 50% stake in Azure Minerals, which holds a 60% interest in the Andover project—another lithium project expected to become a world-class asset.

Contact

Gonzalo Naranjo, Head of Commercial, gonzalo.naranjo@sqm.com

Metalshub is a leading software provider for the metals and mining industry. By leveraging advanced technology and market expertise, Metalshub provides software solutions for buyers and sellers to connect, negotiate, and close transactions. With its innovative solutions, Metalshub empowers 2,400+ businesses to optimise supply chains, make informed decisions, and drive growth in the digital era. Its software enables sellers to provide provenance, carbon footprint and ESG information to its customers in an auditable form, leading to qualification for key target market regulations.

Contact

Chenyu Zhao (赵晨宇), Account Executive, chenyu.zhao@metals-hub.com