What Albemarle Corporation told the SEC could break it.

Albemarle's Energy Storage results swing with lithium index prices, which fell to low levels before rebounding late 2025; gross profit margin moved from 1.2% (2024) to 13.0% (2025) largely on lithium pricing dynamics.

“Although lithium index pricing began to rebound from low levels toward the end of 2025, it remains critical that the Company ensure an efficient operating model so we can compete and invest at every point of the cycle.”

China was 39% of Albemarle's 2025 net sales and hosts three of its production facilities (with ~83% of sales to foreign countries overall), exposing it to Chinese regulatory, political and energy-supply risk.

“In 2025, net sales shipped to or within China represented 39% of our total net sales. Additionally, we own three active production facilities located in China.”

2025 US-China tariffs on Chinese EVs and lithium-ion batteries have shifted trade flows and could restrict sales into China and depress demand for China-made products; further tariffs and Taiwan-related trade disputes add risk (direct impact expected minimal).

“the U.S. and China have applied tariffs to certain of each other's exports, including tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries initiated in 2025, which have resulted in, and may continue to cause, shifting trade flows and restrictions on certain sales of goods into China and domestic demand for products manufactured in China.”