In June, the sodium-ion battery industry chain showed strong momentum. End-use demand continued to be released upstream, driving high growth for both cathode materials and hard carbon anodes, further tightening the supply-demand balance. SMM data shows that sodium-ion battery cathode production rose 22% MoM and hard carbon anode production rose 17% MoM, while the pace of supply expansion still struggled to match demand growth, with a clear seller's market.

[SMM Analysis: Sodium-ion Battery Market June Review (I): Cathode Undersupply and Anode Volume Release Resonate, Industry Chain Prosperity Continues to Rise] SMM, July 3: In June, the sodium-ion battery (hereinafter "sodium-ion battery") industry chain demonstrated strong momentum. Sustained release of end-use demand transmitted upstream, with both cathode materials and hard carbon anodes experiencing high growth, further intensifying the supply-demand tension. SMM data showed that sodium-ion battery cathode production rose 22% MoM and hard carbon anode production rose 17% MoM for the month, while the pace of supply-side capacity expansion still struggled to match demand growth, clearly indicating a seller's market...

[SMM Cobalt Lithium Morning Meeting Minutes: This week, overall sentiment in the industry chain recovered, as a rebound in upstream raw material prices drove some material prices higher. Lithium carbonate, LFP, and separator segments performed strongly. Downstream production schedules stayed high, with demand from energy storage, commercial vehicles, and power batteries still providing support. However, acceptance of high prices was limited, and actual transactions were mostly based on essential needs. Cobalt salts, nickel salts, and ternary cathode precursors remained in the doldrums, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment prevailing in the market. Overall, short-term prices may continue to drift higher, but attention still needs to be paid to raw material arrivals, the sustainability of restocking, and the realization of end-use demand going forward.]

[SMM Analysis: High-End Battery Cell Demand Boost Drives Intensive Implementation of Silicon Carbon Anode New Projects Across Multiple Regions] Benefiting from the penetration of high-energy-density power batteries and the go-global dividends brought by export controls on artificial graphite, in June 2026 multiple regions in China intensively approved several new silicon carbon anode projects.

[SMM Analysis: Going Global Advantages Stand Out amid Patent Barrier Pressures; Analyzing the Industry Impact of the Silicon Carbon Anode Facing a US Section 337 Investigation] SMM, June 30: On June 18, 2026, a US domestic enterprise formally filed a Section 337 complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

On June 24, the first public notice for the environmental impact assessment of the annual 1,000-ton silicon-carbon anode material construction project of Jiangxi Naer Lithium Battery Materials Co., Ltd. was released. The project uses porous carbon, silane, and other materials as raw materials, and will procure production equipment such as CVD nano-silicon deposition systems, interfacial coating and cracking systems, crushers, and supporting environmental protection facilities. Upon completion, the project will achieve an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons of silicon-carbon anode materials. The project is under the construction responsibility of Jiangxi Naer Lithium Battery Materials Co., Ltd., with the environmental impact assessment conducted by Jiangxi Shengjia Technology Consulting Services Co., Ltd.