Latest Update in the SMM Sodium-ion Battery Market

【Domestic Iron Ore Brief Review: Iron Ore Concentrates Prices in Western Liaoning May Remain Stable】The domestic ore market in western Liaoning has seen improved transactions. Influenced by the recent rise in iron ore futures, local iron ore concentrates prices have shown a slight increase. Some local beneficiation plants require funds for turnover and are selling small quantities at market prices. Overall, there is a strong bullish sentiment in the mines and beneficiation plants, and local iron ore concentrates resources are relatively tight.

【SMM Coking Coal Daily Brief】 Supply side, most coking enterprises still maintained profits. Based on profit strategies, coke supply remained relatively stable, with no expectations for production cuts reflected. Shipment conditions improved, and coking enterprise inventories continued to decline. Demand side, finished product inventories at steel mills continuously decreased recently, and profits were favorable. Pig iron production kept increasing, creating a rigid procurement demand for coke. In summary, the rigid demand for coke increased, and the supply-demand imbalance for coke was weak in the short term. The coke market is expected to operate steadily this week.

SMM Daily Review: Strong Sentiment to Stand Firm on Quotes from High-Grade NPI Upstream, Market Prices Remain Stable in the Short Term. March 26th, the average price of SMM 8-12% high-grade NPI was 1,025 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), up 1 yuan/mtu from the previous working day.

According to customs data, in terms of exports, silicon metal exports in January 2025 were 52,500 mt, down 9% MoM and down 18% YoY. In February, silicon metal exports were 44,200 mt, down 16% MoM but up 18% YoY. Cumulative silicon metal exports from January to February 2025 were 96,700 mt, down 5% YoY. In terms of imports, China's silicon metal imports in January 2025 were 1,500 mt, down 10% MoM but up 17% YoY. In February, imports were 1,600 mt, up 11% MoM but down 57% YoY. Cumulative imports from January to February 2025 were 3,100 mt, down 38% YoY.

The Supply-Demand Pattern Remains Unchanged, SHFE Zinc Fluctuates: The most-traded SHFE zinc 2505 contract opened at 24,215 yuan/mt. At the beginning of the session, bears reduced their positions, driving SHFE zinc higher to touch a high of 24,270 yuan/mt. Subsequently, bulls reduced their positions, causing the price center to decline and fluctuate around 24,130 yuan/mt, with a low of 24,080 yuan/mt during the period. Later, bears continued to exit the market, pushing the price center up to around 24,175 yuan/mt. The contract finally closed at 24,155 yuan/mt, up 30 yuan/mt, a gain of 0.12%. The trading volume increased to 176,000 lots, while the open interest decreased by 6,347 lots to 125,000 lots.