Latest Update in the SMM Sodium-ion Battery Market

Facing the wave of new energy vehicles, traditional giant FAW is achieving strategic overtaking through solid-state batteries. Its plan is clear: by 2025, it is expected to achieve commercial mass production of semi-solid-state batteries in collaboration with Farasis Energy, and by 2027, it aims to realize small-batch installation of all-solid-state batteries. By forming industry alliances, securing capacity, and accelerating R&D, FAW intends to break through the 1,000-kilometer driving range on high-end car models like Hongqi, reshaping the market landscape.

The cancellation of lithium-bearing porcelain clay mining rights (such as the Shiziling mine) publicized by the Yichun Natural Resources Bureau on December 12 involves mines that had already ceased operations before 2025 and are no longer supplying lithium resources to the market. Consequently, this move has essentially no impact on the current or future supply of lithium resources and lithium chemical products.

On December 16, 2025, according to information from AOne New Materials' official account, Shenzhen AOne New Materials released its independently developed new silicon carbon anode adhesive, J ONE. This product, through unique molecular structure design, combines high strength with high flexibility, effectively suppresses the expansion of pure silicon anodes, increases cycle life to more than twice that of traditional systems, and withstands harsh electrolyte environments, marking a key breakthrough in the mass production application of high-silicon/pure silicon anode batteries.

Pylontech is pleased to announce the official opening of its Australian subsidiary in Sydney.

Recently, the special meeting on ensuring supply and stabilising prices for phosphate fertilizers and the release of Yuntianhua’s initiative aimed to stabilise the domestic fertilizer market for spring plowing. However, the underlying reality of "high sulfur prices" and the strong regulatory measures of "domestic priority and export restrictions" may have a significant impact on the new energy industry, particularly in the field of LFP batteries.

December 12 news: Northern ports: South African high-iron ore at 30-30.5 yuan/mtu, up 1.34% WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 34-34.5 yuan/mtu, down 0.58% WoW; Gabon ore at 41.9-43.5 yuan/mtu, up 2.61% WoW; Australian lumps at 41-41.7 yuan/mtu, up 5.56% WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 36.4-37.4 yuan/mtu, up 0.81% WoW. Southern ports: South African high-iron ore at 30.3-30.8 yuan/mtu, down 1.61% WoW; South African semi-carbonate ore at 36.4-37.3 yuan/mtu, down 1.34% WoW; Gabon ore at 41.1-42 yuan/mtu, up 1.22% WoW; Australian lumps at 41.5-42.2 yuan/mtu, up 2.45% WoW; South African medium-iron ore at 37.1-37.6 yuan/mtu, down 1.32% WoW. The manganese ore market continued its previous firm trend, with differentiated performance among varieties, among which the transaction price of high-grade manganese ore rose particularly prominently.

This week, domestic spot refined cobalt prices maintained a fluctuating trend. Supply side, supported by raw material costs, smelters continued to hold prices firm; mid-week, cobalt futures fluctuated significantly amid various market news disturbances, leading to chaotic market quotations. Some traders, concerned about continued price declines, sold off at low prices, while simultaneously, traders outside the industry were actively bullish on cobalt prices, preparing to stockpile. Demand side, amid sharp price fluctuations, downstream procurement remained cautious, maintaining a just-in-time procurement pace. The current price evolution pattern for refined cobalt has not changed, still awaiting cobalt salt price increases to drive its own upward movement.

The cobalt intermediate products market continued its strong trend this week, with limited available supply, maintaining an overall "price without market" pattern. On the supply side, some overseas miners were selected as pilot enterprises and approved to ship trial cargoes, but suppliers held prices firm, with mainstream offers anchored around $25.0/lb. On the demand side, the DRC signed a strategic partnership agreement over the weekend, prompting some domestic enterprises to worry about future shortages of cobalt intermediate products in China, leading to active inquiries and small transactions concluded near $24.5/lb. As of Thursday this week, aside from the pilot enterprises, export procedures for other companies remained slow. Considering shipping schedules and the impact of holidays such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year, it is expected that domestic raw materials may not arrive until after March next year. The logic of structural tightness in raw materials remains unchanged, providing continued support for intermediate product prices to rise.

The cobalt sulphate market was active this week, with the price center gradually moving upward. On the supply side, raw material costs provided rigid support, and smelters held prices firm: offers for MHP and scrap-derived routes were raised to 90,000–92,000 yuan/mt, while intermediate product offers remained at 95,000 yuan/mt. On the demand side, some downstream enterprises actively stockpiled, leading to a rapid decline in the availability of low-priced spot goods, and prices gradually increased. Some old stocks priced at 85,000–86,000 yuan/mt last week have now risen to around 88,000–90,000 yuan/mt. Overall, after continued depletion of social inventory, some buyers turned to inquire about high-priced new material from smelters, and a small number of transactions were concluded for MHP and scrap-derived cobalt sulphate. Cobalt sulphate prices still have upward momentum in the short term, and it is expected that recent low prices will stabilize above 90,000 yuan/mt.