[SMM News Flash] According to reports, Changyuan Donggu is planning to acquire 100% equity of Xiangyang Kanghao Electromechanical Engineering Co., Ltd., held by Hubei Xinyuan Power Technology Group Co., Ltd., through a combination of share issuance and pay in cash, while also raising supporting funds. Upon completion of this transaction, the company will directly hold 100% equity of the target company.

On March 19, Junda Shares (002865.SZ) stated on the investor interaction platform that current high silver prices were putting certain pressure on the cost of PV silver paste. The company was adopting a two-pronged strategy in response: first, smoothing raw material price fluctuations through refined supply chain management; second, continuously advancing the R&D and application of low-silver and silver-free technologies to reduce silver paste consumption per unit of solar cell and ease cost pressure.

On March 16, Sichuan Xingkong Sodium-ion Battery Co., Ltd. and BASF officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Dazhou, Sichuan. The two parties will engage in in-depth collaboration across three key dimensions: R&D of core materials for sodium-ion batteries, coordination of the industry chain, and international product development, injecting new momentum into the technological advancement and global expansion of the sodium-ion battery sector. This partnership will focus on joint R&D of cutting-edge sodium-ion battery technologies, covering the entire material chain, including ESS parts, battery pack modules, and battery cells. Key areas of emphasis include thermal management, structural design, electrochemical performance enhancement, and material system optimization. Additionally, the collaboration aims to jointly overcome critical technical bottlenecks such as bamboo charcoal anodes and Prussian blue cathodes, driving the iteration of next-generation sodium-ion battery technologies. Simultaneously, BASF will provide Xingkong Sodium-ion Battery with high-quality raw material supplies. The two parties will also work together to develop customized energy storage solutions and establish a shared after-sales service system, accelerating the industrialisation of R&D achievements.

On March 13, according to the Beijing Stock Exchange website, the Beijing Stock Exchange Listing Review Committee is scheduled to hold its 28th listing review meeting of 2026 at 9:00 a.m. on March 20, at which time it will review the IPO of Huzhou Anda Auto Parts Co., Ltd.

February 2026 coincided with the Chinese New Year holiday. Affected by holiday factors, production pace across core segments of China’s sodium-ion battery industry generally slowed, showing an “off-season reset” trend. From cathodes, anodes, and electrolyte to battery cells and end-users, production across all segments declined MoM to varying degrees, while YoY still maintained a certain degree of growth resilience.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has entered into an exclusive agreement with American Industrial Partners (AIP) to acquire 100% of Aluminum Dunkerque, Europe's largest primary aluminum smelter, located in Loon-Plage, Dunkerque, France. The site produces ~300,000 tonnes of aluminum per year. Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) will pay the consideration for acquiring Aluminium Dunkerque entirely payable in cash, with funding fully underwritten by a syndicate of relationship banks. Alba has offered a shareholding position to Bpifrance (France's public investment bank) to foster a strategic partnership and support the long-term, sustainable development of the French smelter. Discussions with Bpifrance have started and will continue in the coming days.