Explore every episode of the podcast The SFA (Oxford) Podcast

In this episode of Voice of Reason, we take a closer look at the shifting dynamics of the metals market. Joined by @Lakshya and @Tom, the discussion covers price movements, market sentiment, and what it all means for the future of critical metals.

Key highlights from the conversation:

• 📈 Lithium – discussion on market prices and volatility
• 🔑 Platinum – outlook within the broader metals mix
• 🌍 Critical metals – role in the clean energy transition and long-term demand
• 📊 Market uncertainty – driven by global economic conditions and supply chain pressures
• 🔄 Recovery signals – early trends pointing towards possible stabilization
• 💡 Context and timing – the importance of date-stamping insights for credibility

The market continues to evolve, but these conversations provide valuable context on how the industry views opportunities and challenges.

👉 Tune in to the Voice of Reason podcast to listen to the full discussion.

SFA's battery team discuss their long-term view of the cobalt market, assessing the ESG and geopolitical risks surrounding supply as well as the demand threats from low-cobalt and cobalt-free battery chemistries. They summarise the episodes by giving their view on how these factors impact cobalt price.

Find out more about the Cobalt Market Outlook to 2040 Report here:

https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/long-term-cobalt-market-report-and-cobalt-price-outlook/

SFA's Nickel Analyst, Dan Croft, and Senior Battery Technology Analyst, Lakshya Gupta, discuss the pressing issues facing the nickel market long-term. They examine the threats that could arise from concentrated regional supply and how this might impact battery technology distribution and EV adoption. They also explore the potential factors that could be price drivers in what seems to be a difficult and complex market.

Find out more:

https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/long-term-nickel-market-report-and-nickel-price-outlook/

The entry of corporate giants like ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco, the deglobalisation of battery supply chains, China’s growing influence, and a transformative surge in energy storage demand have introduced significant uncertainty—but also immense potential. 

SFA's Principal Lithium Analyst, Tom Chandler, and Battery Technology and Demand Analyst, Lakshya Gupta, discuss the outlook for the lithium market through to 2040, the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and the potential impact on price. 

Find out more:

https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/long-term-lithium-market-report-and-lithium-prices-outlook/

In this episode of The Voice of Reason, SFA's battery team discusses the latest trends and events impacting the battery metals markets.

Now that Donald Trump has been elected to be president, how might his reign differ from Joe Biden's, regarding EV's and battery metals?

We also discuss the cause and impact of Northvolt's bankruptcy, as well as express our opinions on JLR's controversial rebrand.

The LinkedIn profiles of the participants can be found below:
Tom Chandler
Lakshya Gupta
Dan Croft
Joel Lacey

Find out more about SFA's Battery Metals Market Intelligence Service here.

The latest SFA podcast episode examines how evolving trends in transportation and energy are reshaping the platinum group metals markets. As shifts in vehicle technology create demand uncertainties, PGM producers face ongoing cost pressures. This episode announces the release of SFA's latest ground-breaking market report 'The PGM Market Outlook to 2040'.

Find out more here:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/platinum-group-metals/pgm-market-reports/biannual-pgm-market-outlook/

LinkedIn profiles:
Dr Jenny Watts
Alex Biddle
Joel Lacey

In this episode of The Voice of Reason, SFA's battery team discusses the latest trends and events impacting the battery metals markets.

As the industry experiences a depressing environment caused by low prices, we explore why this has happened and how it has impacted players across the value chain. For some, cost-saving measures are in place; for others, it is a window of opportunity.

The LinkedIn profiles of the participants can be found below:
Tom Chandler
RJ Coetzee
Lakshya Gupta
Adele Rouleau
Dan Croft
Joel Lacey

Find out more about SFA's Battery Metals Market Intelligence Service

The the fourth episode of The Voice of Reason series, SFA's battery metals analysts engage in an insightful debate regarding the purchase of second-hand EVs?

Would you buy one?

We also discuss the surge in African lithium supply following Chinese investment and the potential impact on price, as well as the latest news on cobalt supply and ESG.

Date of recording: 01/08/2024

LinkedIn profiles:
Lakshya Gupta
Thomas Chandler
RJ Coetzee
Adele Rouleau
Joel Lacey
SFA (Oxford)

In the third episode of SFA's Voice of Reason podcast series, our team of battery metals analysts discuss the impact of EU/US tariffs on Chinese EVs, the latest on lithium supply, as well as the recent political issues in the DRC and their potential impact on cobalt price.

Stay tuned each month to keep up to speed with the rapidly evolving battery metals markets!

Recorded on 04/06/24.

What do hydrogen deposits mean for PGMs?

In this episode, Head of Clean Energy & Sustainability, Dr. Jenny Watts, gives an overview of hydrogen deposits and their potential impact on PGMs.

To find out more about SFA's hydrogen services:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/green-hydrogen-and-fuel-cells/

In the second episode of SFA's Voice of Reason podcast series, our team of battery metals analysts discuss the potential impact of New Caledonia's protests on the nickel market, as well as reviewing the recent Oxford Battery Metals Lectures.

Stay tuned each month to keep up to speed with the rapidly evolving battery metals markets!

Recorded on 23/05/24.

This episode marks the first of SFA's Voice of Reason podcast series, which provides a battery metals market update as our team of battery metals analysts discuss and debate the latest trends and events in the lithium, nickel and cobalt markets.

Stay tuned each month to keep up to speed with these rapidly evolving markets!

Recorded on 17/04/24.

In this episode, we engage in a captivating conversation with Navaid Alam and Gil Michel-Garcia, Founder and Co-Founder of EVelution Energy - a pioneering private enterprise dedicated to establishing a carbon-neutral, modular cobalt sulfate processing facility situated in the state of Arizona.

Against the backdrop of the IRA and various other influential clean energy initiatives propelling the nationwide advancement of the lithium value chain industry in the United States, EVelution is at the forefront of the EV revolution in North America and is breaking ground on a $200 million project that will produce up 33,000 metric tons of cobalt sulfate annually.

This is the first episode of SFA's special podcast series, where we host players from across the critical minerals value chains, unearthing insights from on-the-ground industry professionals.

To find out more about EVelution click here.

LinkedIn:
Navaid Alam
Gil Michel-Garcia
Kimberly Berman
SFA (Oxford)

In this episode of the SFA podcast, Dr Jenny Watts and Alex Biddle return to discuss the latest trends and events impacting the iridium and ruthenium markets. We discuss the latest on South African supply as well as recent demand trends from the hydrogen economy, among other key topics.

This episode is available in light of the recent release of SFA (Oxford)'s Iridium and Ruthenium Quarterly Market Report. To find out more about this essential report, follow this link.

In this episode of The SFA (Oxford) Podcast, our team of consulting analysts on battery metals discuss the recent mine supply and EV market developments that impact the lithium, nickel, and cobalt markets.

Find out more about the Battery Metals Quarterly Report:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/lithium-ion-battery-metals-quarterly-for-lithium-nickel-and-cobalt/

The team:
Dr Ralph Grimble: https://www.sfa-oxford.com/meet-the-team/dr-ralph-grimble/
Tom Chandler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-chandler-lithium/
Lakshya Gupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshya-g-a1b27912a/
Dan Croft: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-croft/
Adele Rouleau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-r-75183b2/

With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, cobalt has become a key component of the energy transition. However, the rise of alternative battery technologies creates potential challenges to the cobalt market.

Upon the recent release of the Cobalt Market Outlook to 2040, consulting analysts from SFA's battery team discuss the surge in alternative battery technologies that pose a potential threat to Cobalt demand, the sensitivity of cobalt price to supply chain 'hiccups', as well as the ESG challenges surrounding cobalt supply.

For a comprehensive analysis of the trajectory of the cobalt market, SFA (Oxford)’s 2040 Cobalt Market Outlook stands as a crucial resource. This report meticulously examines current and long-term trends influencing global cobalt markets, offering strategic insights for stakeholders navigating the evolving landscape out to 2040.

Find out more here:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/cobalt-market-outlook-to-2040/

Dr Ralph Grimble: https://www.sfa-oxford.com/about-us/dr-ralph-grimble/
Kimberly Berman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-berman/
Lakshya Gupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshya-g-a1b27912a/
Tom Chandler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-chandler-lithium/
Adele Rouleau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-r-75183b2/

Dr Jenny Watts and Alex Biddle discuss current and future market trends and events and their potential impacts out to 2040.

This episode supports the recent release of SFA's ground-breaking PGM Market Outlook out to 2040, an in-depth, forward-looking report on the current and long-term trends and influences acting on the global platinum group metals markets. This report examines the changing nature of the PGM markets out to 2040, following the influences acting on their sources of supply and demand, and their investment vehicles.

Released biannually, and tailored to individual client requirements, each report delivers clarity on the key metal markets and is vital in understanding the price risks and sustainability of the market for investment strategising in the PGM value chain.

Find out more about the report:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/platinum-group-metals/pgm-market-reports/biannual-pgm-market-outlook/

LinkedIn Profiles:
SFA (Oxford)
Dr Jenny Watts, Head of Clean Energy and Sustainability
Alex Biddle, Senior Mining Analyst
Joel Lacey, Sales and Marketing Specialist

Exxon's involvement in #lithium extraction from #oilfield #brines and the potential opportunities that could arise, the latest developments in Ganfeng's Sonora concession cancellations, and the impact that new mine supply has on our short- to medium-term metal #price forecasts; Principal Lithium Analyst, Thomas Chandler, overviews the key trends and topics covered in our new Q3 Battery Metals Quarterly Report, which analyses recent events and trends in the #batterymetals market.

Find out more about the report:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/lithium-ion-battery-metals-quarterly-for-lithium-nickel-and-cobalt/

SFA (Oxford)'s Head of Clean Energy and Sustainablity, Dr Jenny Watts, provides a helpful overview of the issues surrounding iridium and ruthenium supply.

Our market outlook to 2027 provides insight into the impacts of falling PGM prices and Eskom load-shedding on already strained supply, while analysing demand trends incurred by the hydrogen economy.

Find out more:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/platinum-group-metals/pgm-market-reports/iridium-and-ruthenium-market-report/

Dr Jenny Watts:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-watts-96ba3247/

SFA (Oxford) has just released its Q2 Battery Metals Quarterly Report, in which we present our latest market outlook for lithium, nickel, and cobalt out to 2027.
 
This unique report analyses recent events and trends in the battery metals market, giving insight into the supply and demand impacts of the ramp-up of BEV production from China, developments in next-generation battery technology, and providing short- to medium-term metal price forecasts.

Battery metals expert, Kimberly Berman, gives an overview of recent events and trends in the battery metals markets. 

For more information:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/battery-metals-and-materials/market-reports/lithium-ion-battery-metals-quarterly-for-lithium-nickel-and-cobalt/

Kimberly Berman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-berman/
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/about-us/meet-the-team/kimberly-berman/

Joel Lacey:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-lacey123/

Dr Sandeep Kaler, SFA's Market Strategy Analyst, discusses how opportunities for recycling and thrifting can relieve iridium (and ruthenium) supply constraints. The hydrogen economy continues to gather momentum, there is increasing pressure to supply iridium (and ruthenium), which are required to produce green hydrogen.

SFA (Oxford) has recently released its latest Iridium and Ruthenium Quarterly Report for Q2 2023.

To find out more about the report:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/2040-lithium-market-outlook

To speak to the team:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/contact-us

Sandeep Kaler:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/about-us/meet-the-team/sandeep-kaler/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeep-kaler7/

With the demand for electric vehicles rising rapidly, the lithium supply chain is under immense pressure to meet the needs of the automotive industry. Supply is responding to higher prices, but a second demand wave is imminent and the addition of energy storage is likely to lead to another price spike – but when?

SFA (Oxford)'s Principal Lithium Supply Analyst, Thomas Chandler, provides an overview of this ground-breaking report.

To find out more about the report:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/2040-lithium-market-outlook

To speak to the team:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/contact-us

Thomas Chandler:
https://www.sfa-oxford.com/thomas-chandler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-chandler

SFA (Oxford) has recently released it's latest Iridium and Ruthenium Quarterly Report for Q1 2023. Our Head of Clean Energy and Sustainability reviews the report and the latest impacts to the iridium and ruthenium markets, and its effect on future metal prices.

Disclaimer:

SFA (Oxford) Limited has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the sources of the information provided in this podcast are reliable and the data reproduced are accurate at the time of recording. The analysis and opinions set out in the podcast constitute a judgement as of the date of the recording and are subject to change without notice. Therefore, SFA cannot warrant the accuracy and completeness of the data and analysis contained in this podcast. SFA cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent and occasional error or lack of accuracy or correctness. SFA accepts no liability for any direct, special, indirect or consequential losses or damages, or any other losses or damages of whatsoever kind, resulting from whatever cause through the use of or reliance on any information contained in the podcast. The material contained herewith has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular need of any specific recipient or organisation. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any commodities, securities or related financial instruments. The recipient acknowledges that SFA is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to give investment advice. The recording is not to be construed as advice to the recipient or any other person as to the merits of entering into any particular investment. In taking any decision as to whether or not to make investments, the recipient and/or any other person must have regard to all sources of information available to him.

© Copyright reserved. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in any and all recordings produced from time to time remain the property of SFA and no person other than SFA shall be entitled to register any intellectual property rights in any recordings or claim any such right in the recordings or the information or data on the basis of which such podcasts are produced. No part of any podcast may be reproduced or distributed in any manner without written permission of SFA. SFA specifically prohibits the redistribution of this podcast, via the internet or otherwise, to non-professional or private investors and accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in reliance on this podcast.

Disclaimer:

SFA (Oxford) Limited has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the sources of the information provided in this podcast are reliable and the data reproduced are accurate at the time of recording. The analysis and opinions set out in the podcast constitute a judgement as of the date of the recording and are subject to change without notice. Therefore, SFA cannot warrant the accuracy and completeness of the data and analysis contained in this podcast. SFA cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent and occasional error or lack of accuracy or correctness. SFA accepts no liability for any direct, special, indirect or consequential losses or damages, or any other losses or damages of whatsoever kind, resulting from whatever cause through the use of or reliance on any information contained in the podcast. The material contained herewith has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular need of any specific recipient or organisation. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any commodities, securities or related financial instruments. The recipient acknowledges that SFA is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to give investment advice. The recording is not to be construed as advice to the recipient or any other person as to the merits of entering into any particular investment. In taking any decision as to whether or not to make investments, the recipient and/or any other person must have regard to all sources of information available to him.

© Copyright reserved. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in any and all recordings produced from time to time remain the property of SFA and no person other than SFA shall be entitled to register any intellectual property rights in any recordings or claim any such right in the recordings or the information or data on the basis of which such podcasts are produced. No part of any podcast may be reproduced or distributed in any manner without written permission of SFA. SFA specifically prohibits the redistribution of this podcast, via the internet or otherwise, to non-professional or private investors and accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in reliance on this podcast.

Timestamps

• 00:37 - Why should PGM players consider a new perspective on PGMs. How has COVID-19 impacted metals prices and what are the impacts of this?
• 09:07 - How can SFA help clients to preserve and extract value in the face of headwinds pertaining to difficult mine economics and depletion rates, over the next few years?
• 09:53 - How does SFA anticipate recycling will impact PGM players?
• 12:06 - What are SFA's thoughts on inter-metal substitution trends and how will COVID-19 impact the mix of metals in spent autocatalysts
• 13:57 - What experience does SFA have advising clients in the recycling sector?
• 15:49 - How will clients benefit from buying this report in regards to automotive trends and emissions legislation?
• 20:59 - SFA have included a study on hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysers for the first time. How will this aid fund managers and other institutional investors?
• 23:07 - How will clients benefit from the new chapter 'ESG reporting within the PGM industry'?
• 27:28 - What is SFA's link with the University of Oxford?
• 29:00 - Why will this report specifically benefit SFA clients and what is it's shelf life?

Disclaimer:

SFA (Oxford) Limited has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the sources of the information provided in this podcast are reliable and the data reproduced are accurate at the time of recording. The analysis and opinions set out in the podcast constitute a judgement as of the date of the recording and are subject to change without notice. Therefore, SFA cannot warrant the accuracy and completeness of the data and analysis contained in this podcast. SFA cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent and occasional error or lack of accuracy or correctness. SFA accepts no liability for any direct, special, indirect or consequential losses or damages, or any other losses or damages of whatsoever kind, resulting from whatever cause through the use of or reliance on any information contained in the podcast. The material contained herewith has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular need of any specific recipient or organisation. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any commodities, securities or related financial instruments. The recipient acknowledges that SFA is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to give investment advice. The recording is not to be construed as advice to the recipient or any other person as to the merits of entering into any particular investment. In taking any decision as to whether or not to make investments, the recipient and/or any other person must have regard to all sources of information available to him.

© Copyright reserved. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in any and all recordings produced from time to time remain the property of SFA and no person other than SFA shall be entitled to register any intellectual property rights in any recordings or claim any such right in the recordings or the information or data on the basis of which such podcasts are produced. No part of any podcast may be reproduced or distributed in any manner without written permission of SFA. SFA specifically prohibits the redistribution of this podcast, via the internet or otherwise, to non-professional or private investors and accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in reliance on this podcast.