Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) reported higher second-quarter sales, earnings and cash generation as lithium pricing improved and its specialties business benefited from stronger pricing and volumes. Energy Storage Pricing Drives ResultsChief Executive Officer Kent Masters said the results reflected operational execution, cost discipline and strengthening conditions in the company’s key markets. Energy Storage sales increased 78% year over year and segment adjusted EBITDA rose 229%, driven primarily by higher lithium pricing. Albemarle expects third-quarter Energy Storage sales and adjusted EBITDA to decline sequentially, citing lower expected volumes and an assumption of lower lithium pricing. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 700 basis points from the prior-year period to 28%.