Japanese and South Korean may have to make big investments to break into South America 's lithium industry as they chase Chinese rivals who have tied up markets in other parts of the world . China 's Tianqi Lithium may be blocked from buying a stake in Chile 's SQM over concerns that it will control too much of global supply . South Korean and Japanese firms have relied largely on South American lithium, and formed longstanding relationships with producers there. Japanese manufacturer Toyota has invested in an Argentine lithium project . South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI and metals supplier Posco have committed to building a battery materials plant in Chile in exchange for securing lithium at a discount from Japanese and US - based Albemarle .
Japanese and South Korean may have to make big investments to break into South America 's lithium industry as they chase Chinese rivals who have tied up markets in other parts of the world . China 's Tianqi Lithium may be blocked from buying a stake in Chile 's SQM over concerns that it will control too much of global supply . Japanese manufacturer Toyota has invested in an Argentine lithium project . South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI and metals supplier Posco have committed to building a battery materials plant in Chile in exchange for securing lithium at a discount from Japanese and US - based Albemarle .