JOINT MEDIA RELEASE – Singapore, 17 September 2026
DFCRC and ILiA formalise collaboration to advance industry consultation on lithium market transparency
The Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) and the International Lithium Association (ILiA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives aimed at supporting the continued maturity, openness and transparency of the global lithium market.
The MoU was signed by DFCRC Co-CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Reed, and ILiA Secretary General Roland D. Chavasse at a ceremony hosted by H.E. Robyn Mudie, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, at the Australian High Commission in Singapore.
The collaboration will support broad consultation with participants across the global lithium value chain on DFCRC’s industry-driven, research-led initiative exploring how more open, efficient and transparent lithium market mechanisms could strengthen price discovery, market confidence and practical risk management.
DFCRC has developed a market design and working prototype through research and engagement with industry, academia and government as part of its PCMX initiative. DFCRC’s marketplace concept is intended to explore neutral, open and complementary market infrastructure and practices, rather than rival or replace existing providers.
The next phase will invite broader consultation with market participants to help test and refine the concept and its design. It will also gauge market appetite for a prospective pilot focused initially on spodumene concentrate.
DFCRC Co-CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Reed, said the agreement reflected DFCRC’s research-led mission to help markets of global significance evolve in a way that benefits the entire value chain.
“DFCRC exists to bring industry and research together to address areas of market inefficiency that can benefit from multi-stakeholder collaboration – and lithium market transparency is exactly that kind of area.
“As the world leans on lithium to power the energy transition, its importance to the global economy has grown faster than the market structures supporting it. There is a real opportunity for better price discovery, greater openness and transparency, and a more efficient market to benefit everyone, from producers and sellers to end-users.
“Our market concept and working prototype are the result of strong research and industry engagement to date – this next chapter will be written with the market it is designed to serve. That’s what this partnership with ILiA will help enable.”
ILiA Secretary General Roland D. Chavasse said the initiative had significant potential for the global lithium industry.
“This is a very exciting initiative and ILiA is delighted to support it. There is enormous potential to strengthen confidence, transparency and participation across the global lithium market as the industry continues to grow and mature.
“ILiA can bring international perspectives and on-the-ground relationships to help facilitate the broad and inclusive industry consultation needed to shape a practical and credible outcome.”
Feedback from across the lithium market will be central to shaping the concept, its rules and any future pathway. Participation in this next consultation phase will remain voluntary and non-binding. Robust competition-law safeguards are embedded throughout the research and consultation process.
The MoU signing marks the beginning of the DFCRC–ILiA collaboration and an invitation to the global lithium industry to participate in shaping the next phase of the work.
ENDS
About DFCRC
The Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) brings together industry, research and government partners to develop and apply emerging technologies within financial markets. DFCRC leads the research and industry engagement supporting the lithium marketplace concept. The DFCRC receives grant funding from the Australian Government as part of the Cooperative Research Centre Program.
About ILiA
The International Lithium Association is the global industry association for the lithium value chain. Its members include organisations involved in lithium production, processing, manufacturing, trading, recycling and related services.
Media enquiries
DFCRC media@dfcrc.com.au
International Lithium Association robert.carruthers@lithium.org