On April 21, a delegation from SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), comprising Ye Jianhua, Director and Supervisor of SMM's Industry Research Department, Feng Chundi, Expert of SMM's Industry Research Institute, and Wu Tao, SMM's Overseas Marketing Manager for Copper and Tin, visited Lualaba Copper Smelter S.A. (LCS) for a field trip and exchange. The delegation received a warm and thoughtful reception from the leadership of LCS. During the exchange, relevant heads of LCS provided a detailed introduction to the project's construction history, smelting process routes, current capacity operations, and overall business planning. SMM, drawing on global non-ferrous market trends, shared insights on copper-cobalt raw material supply and demand, the smelting and processing landscape, price fluctuation trends, and industry policy developments. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on practical topics including production management and control in ex-China pyrometallurgy operations, raw material supply assurance, environmental protection operations and maintenance, cost management, and industry outlook assessment. They also exchanged experiences and ideas on the operational management, risk prevention, and medium and long-term development planning of smelters outside China. This field trip and exchange was pragmatic and efficient, effectively enhancing mutual understanding and laying a solid foundation for ongoing industry information sharing and long-term exchange and cooperation. Introduction to Lualaba Copper Smelter S.A. (LCS) Lualaba Copper Smelter S.A. (LCS) is a modern non-ferrous metal smelting enterprise jointly invested and constructed by China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. and Chalco Yunnan Copper Group, located in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, DRC. Construction commenced in March 2018, and Phase I was completed and successfully put into operation in October 2019. It is the first large-scale pyrometallurgical copper-cobalt smelter in the DRC and serves as a key strategic pillar for China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group's resource development and industrial deployment in Africa. With copper concentrates smelting as its core business, LCS's main products include blister copper, sulphuric acid, and liquid sulfur dioxide, with an annual capacity of 150,000 mt of blister copper and 300,000 mt of sulphuric acid. As an important participant in the Belt and Road Initiative, LCS has consistently upheld the development philosophy of "serving the nation through resources and pursuing win-win cooperation," actively fulfilling its social responsibilities, promoting local employment and industrial development, and striving to build an internationally competitive copper smelter while continuously enhancing the influence of Chinese mining enterprises in the global non-ferrous metals industry. The conference is scheduled to be held on October 13–14, 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia. Your participation is welcome~ Contact Person : Wu Tao: 18270916376 jennywu@smm.cn

On April 14, Ye Jianhua, Director and Supervisor of the Industry Research Department of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), Feng Chundi, Expert of the SMM Industry Research Institute, and Wu Tao, SMM Copper & Tin Overseas Marketing Manager, visited Chambishi Copper Smelter Limited (CCS) for exchange and survey, where they received warm hospitality from CCS leadership. During the visit, both parties engaged in pragmatic communication based on their respective core businesses. Leveraging its core strengths in non-ferrous metal price index R&D, industry chain big data monitoring, copper market analysis, in-depth industry research, and global non-ferrous resource connectivity, SMM shared insights on international copper market operating logic and price trend analysis, in the context of the current global copper smelting supply-demand pattern, raw material procurement landscape, and TC fluctuation trends. As a key copper smelting producer outside China, CCS provided a detailed introduction to its production and operation status, smelting process advantages, capacity release pace, raw material procurement, and product exports layout, elaborating on practical experience of ex-China copper smelters in production management, cost control, green production, and localized operations. Meanwhile, both parties exchanged views on common industry topics including development pain points of copper smelting outside China, raw material supply security, finished product circulation and trade, industry policy changes, and low-carbon smelting development trends. They also reached preliminary consensus on future directions such as industry chain information sharing, market data sharing, joint market analysis, and industry resource coordination, laying a solid foundation for deepening regular exchanges and promoting high-quality collaborative development of the copper smelting industry chain. Introduction to Chambishi Copper Smelter Limited (CCS) Chambishi Copper Smelter Limited (CCS) is the first large-scale modern pyrometallurgy copper smelting enterprise invested, fully independently designed and constructed by China outside China. Located in the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the company has 170 Chinese staff and 1,600 Zambian employees. CCS has consistently focused on its vision of "building an evergreen, world-class smelter," upholding the corporate spirit of "self-transcendence, continuous breakthroughs, and pursuit of excellence," benchmarking against first-class standards with meticulous craftsmanship, and continuously strengthening and optimizing enterprise management, with its comprehensive competitiveness steadily improving. As of the end of 2024, the company had produced over 3.3 million mt of copper products and 8.7 million mt of sulphuric acid, with cumulative sales revenue of approximately $21 billion, effectively driving local economic development in Zambia and becoming a shining pearl along the Belt and Road! Enterprise History and Development Achievements (Pursuing Excellence, Benchmarking Against the Best and Forging Ahead) To extend the industry chain and retain more added value locally, in 2006, China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. partnered with Yunnan Copper to introduce the advanced ISA copper smelting process to Zambia, with shareholding ratios of 60% and 40%, respectively. From the design stage, the company drew on successful experience in China and combined it with the characteristics of Zambian raw materials to re-optimize and innovate key processes and technologies of the ISASMELT process, strengthening system integration. This resulted in multiple innovative achievements, including "Integration Innovation and Application of ISASMELT Furnace" and "Comprehensive Automated Control System," which were awarded the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress by CNIA in 2010. The ISASMELT furnace campaign life broke world records multiple times, with the second campaign reaching 218 weeks and the third campaign reaching 244 weeks, becoming an international benchmark. In 2021 and 2022, the company's copper production exceeded the designed capacity of 250,000 mt for two consecutive years, making history. In 2024, production further surpassed 260,000 mt, setting a new historical record. In September 2013, the company was honored with the title of Advanced Collective of Central State-Owned Enterprises. In July 2021, it was successfully selected as a benchmark enterprise under the management of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. Process Flow (Dedicated and Professional, Pursuing Excellence for Development) The company adopted the internationally advanced and mature process of "oxygen-enriched top-blown submerged bath smelting, electric furnace settling and separation, PS converter blowing, and anode furnace pyrometallurgy refining" to produce copper anode, and the "double-conversion double-absorption" process to produce sulphuric acid. Adhering to the concept of sustainable development, the company built a slag flotation recovery system with a daily processing capacity of 1,500 mt of slag and a bismuth recovery system with a daily processing capacity of 6 mt of flue dust, continuing to recover metals such as copper, cobalt, and bismuth from smelting slag and flue dust. Social Responsibility (Cooperation and Sharing, Giving Back to Society with Strong Responsibility) The company actively practiced its core values of "dedication, cooperation, and sharing," consistently focusing on its core business of copper pyrometallurgy smelting, cooperating extensively with upstream and downstream clients, and sharing development achievements with employees and local communities. Since its establishment, the company had cumulatively paid over $300 million in various taxes and fees in Zambia, created over 5,000 job opportunities, and cooperated with more than 300 local suppliers, contributing to Zambia's green, harmonious, and shared development. The company actively fulfilled its social responsibilities by increasing investment in social welfare programs for local communities in Zambia, covering infrastructure, education, healthcare, and sanitation. It sponsored the renovation of clinics in Kalulushi, the Bushifire Orphanage, and donated to build classrooms at Buyantashi School, Luato Market, Kankuko Bridge, Chibuluma Community Tennis Court, Chimfunshi Chimpanzee Rescue Center, and Modern Stars Football Club, among others. The cumulative investment exceeded $4 million, earning high praise from the local government and warm welcome from the public, and establishing a positive corporate image. The company actively promoted employee localization and continuously achieved skills transfer. The company invested over 5 million Kwacha, and externally carried out technical and non-technical training programs in electric welding, electrical power, pneumatics, technical control, management supervision, and equipment maintenance through the China-Zambia Vocational and Technical College, TEVETA Fund, and other channels. Internally, through mentorship programs, the company conducted business training in masonry, fitting, and other skills. The localization rate of company employees reached over 92%, local employees' skills were significantly improved, and technical expertise was exported to the DRC. Vision and Outlook (Staying True to Our Mission, Building a Shared Future Together) Innovation-driven development knows no bounds. Over the past decade, the company has upheld a sense of survival crisis and market competition awareness, adhered to innovation-driven development, and achieved high-quality growth. In 2021, the company's IT infrastructure was completed and successfully put into use, committed to building an automated, digitalized, and intelligent factory. In August 2023, the company's anode furnace pyrometallurgy refining system technical renovation project was completed and put into operation. In November 2024, the company's three-year action plan for technology-empowered safety and environmental protection was officially established, focusing on technology empowerment and fostering new quality productive forces, propelling the company's high-quality development to a new level. Through collaborative development, benchmarking against first-class standards, technological innovation, and increased production and efficiency, the company continues to advance toward its enterprise vision of "becoming an evergreen, world-class smelter." is scheduled to be held on October 13-14, 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia. Welcome to participate! Contact Person : Wu Tao: 18270916376 jennywu@smm.cn

Recent Performance of Key Iron Ore Price Spreads Since 2024, large-scale iron ore projects in and outside China have been continuously commissioned, leading to a notable increase in iron ore supply. However, the sharp decline in downstream steel demand caused the iron ore supply-demand gap to widen continuously. The iron ore supply-demand pattern shifted from tight to loose, which also led to a year-on-year decline in average iron ore prices. Nevertheless, influenced by multiple factors such as iron ore supply and demand, port inventory, and steel mill profits, the frequency of price spread fluctuations among iron ore varieties increased. SMM reviewed the recent trends of key price spreads, as detailed below: ◼ Internal Differentiation Among Medium-Grade Resources, with Price Spreads Widening Significantly Affected by long-term contract negotiations, the trade liquidity of mainstream medium-grade ore deteriorated significantly. The lack of trade liquidity in certain varieties was directly transmitted to variety price spreads, with price spread fluctuations of mainstream medium-grade ore such as MNPJ intensifying notably. Among them, the price spread between PB fines and Jimblebar fines was the most sensitive: In early September 2025, the price spread between the two was 20 yuan/mt. As news of the ban on Jimblebar fines port cargo pick-up was released, its spot price came under pressure and dropped sharply, with the price spread quickly widening to around 50 yuan/mt. In addition, affected by the reduction in tradable varieties of mainstream Australian medium-grade ore, the variety price spreads between PB fines and Newman fines, as well as MAC fines, also showed a notable narrowing trend. Source: SMM ◼ High-Grade Premium Highlighted, Price Difference Between High and Medium-Grade Ore Widening Rapidly From Q4 2025 to date, price spread fluctuations among high, medium, and low-grade ore were equally intense. After entering 2026, structural contradictions in the iron ore market became further pronounced. Affected by declining raw ore quality from northern Brazilian mining areas, IOCJ fines supply experienced a trend of contraction. Coupled with the cost-effectiveness recovery brought by earlier price weakness and the release of concentrated restocking demand from steel mills ahead of Chinese New Year, IOCJ fines prices received strong support. Meanwhile, mainstream medium-grade ore remained tight in available resources due to trade flow disruptions. Against the backdrop of a shift between high and low-grade resources, the price difference between high and medium-grade ore widened again. Reviewing the period from November 2025 to March 2026, north China entered the heating season, and environmental protection-driven production restrictions became more frequent. As Chinese New Year and the Two Sessions approached, production restrictions were further tightened, with blast furnaces at steel mills in multiple areas of Hebei shut down, leading to a notable decline in hot metal production. Notably, during this period, steel mill profits remained generally stable, and some enterprises, in pursuit of higher output, tended to increase the blast furnace blending ratio of high and medium-grade ore while correspondingly reducing procurement of low-grade ore. Driven by this structural demand shift, the price difference between medium and low-grade ore widened. Source: SMM ◼ Lump-Fines Price Spread Experienced a "V"-Shaped Trend, Declining First Then Rising Since sintering processes generate relatively high pollution emissions, environmental protection-driven production restrictions typically prioritized restricting sintering and shaft furnace production. In north China and north-east China, during heating seasons or major events, if production restriction periods are prolonged, steel mills often increase the proportion of lump ore in their mix to alleviate tight supply of sinter and pellet, thereby driving lump ore prices to rise rapidly. However, over the past three years, the impact of seasonal factors on lump ore demand has gradually weakened, mainly for three reasons: first, steel mills have successively completed ultra-low emission retrofits for flue gas, reducing overall pollution intensity; second, sintering machines in Hebei and other regions have surplus capacity, and environmental protection-driven production restrictions have mostly been limited to within one week, significantly reducing the actual impact on production; third, steel mill profits have been under pressure, reducing the pursuit of hot metal production, and the proportion of high-grade ore usage has adjusted downward accordingly. Under the combined influence of the above factors, since H2 2024, lump ore premiums have continued to decline, hitting a new low by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the price spread between PB lump and PB fines also narrowed significantly, contracting from 195 yuan/mt to 63 yuan/mt, a decline of over 50%. Against this backdrop, the cost-effectiveness of lump ore gradually became more prominent. Combined with the extended environmental protection-driven production restriction period in northern China in November 2025, the proportion of lump ore usage began to increase. However, as lump ore premiums had remained low for an extended period, product returns were poor, and major mines correspondingly reduced lump ore production. Driven by both supply contraction and demand growth, lump ore premiums rebounded, and the lump-fines price spread widened accordingly. As of mid-March 2026, lump ore premiums have risen to a periodic high, up nearly 280% from early January. The lump-fines price spread has also gradually widened to above 100 yuan/mt. Source: SMM Key Driving Logic of Product Price Spreads Mix Adjustment Led by Steel Mill Profits (Core Driver) ◼ 1 Profit Expansion Phase: High Hot Metal Production Drives Demand for High-Grade Ore When steel mill profits widened and per-mt crude steel returns were higher, steel mills pursued pig iron production and tended to raise the grade of furnace feed. When selecting iron ore, they preferred to purchase high-grade or medium-grade ore. As shown, in H1 2025, profits of common billet at China's steel mills rebounded notably. Common billet profits reached a peak of nearly 350 yuan/mt. At this point, to boost production, steel mills moderately increased the proportion of high-grade IOCJ fines, as well as high-grade lump and pellet usage. Demand growth over a certain period stimulated high-grade ore price increases, and it was clearly evident that the price spread between high-grade and medium-grade ore began to widen. Source: SMM ◼ 2 Profit Contraction Phase: Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement Boost Low-Grade Ore Procurement After steel mill profits contracted, to reduce costs and improve efficiency, steel mills significantly increased their focus on cost-effectiveness across iron ore products, tending to prioritize products with higher cost-effectiveness. Within the mid-grade ore range, steel mills preferred varieties with a larger price spread relative to PB fines. Meanwhile, weakening profits meant that higher pig iron or crude steel production led to greater loss pressure. Therefore, steel mills controlled pig iron production rationally from the perspective of economic efficiency. However, given the high comprehensive costs of shutting down or reducing blast furnace loads, steel mills tended to maintain normal blast furnace operations while lowering furnace charge grade and increasing the use of low-grade ore. Under these circumstances, assuming other conditions remained unchanged, the price spread between mid- and low-grade ore tended to narrow. Taking the market around October 2025 as an example, billet profits continued to decline, and the mid-to-low-grade ore price spread narrowed accordingly. Data source: SMM Dual Transmission Paths of Seasonal Effects ◼ Seasonal factors influenced iron ore variety demand through dual paths of "end-use demand fluctuations" and "heating season environmental protection-driven production restrictions" ◼ 1. Seasonal fluctuations in end-use demand: impact on steel mill production and raw material procurement pace The shift between off-season and peak season in end-use demand created cyclical impacts on iron ore variety demand. Off-seasons were mainly concentrated in summer (June–August) and winter (November–February): high temperatures and heavy rainfall in summer suppressed construction, while hydropower replacing thermal power in south China lowered electric furnace production costs and squeezed blast furnace hot metal production; in winter, construction sites in north China shut down and steel demand contracted. During off-seasons, steel mills increased blast furnace maintenance and lowered furnace charge grade to control production, with demand for high-grade iron ore weakening accordingly. During peak seasons (spring March–May, autumn September–October), downstream construction activity was released intensively, steel mills actively ramped up production, and furnace charge grade rose in tandem, strengthening demand for high-grade fines, lump ore, and pellet, supporting their premium performance. In summary, seasonal fluctuations in end-use demand drove cyclical changes in iron ore variety demand by influencing steel mill production and furnace charge grade selection. Transmission logic: end-use demand fluctuations → steel mill production adjustments → changes in total iron ore procurement volume → corresponding shifts in variety demand structure Data source: SMM Data source: SMM ◼ 2. Environmental protection-driven production restrictions during the northern heating season: direct disruption to furnace charge structure and variety premiums Heating season environmental protection-driven production restrictions primarily targeted steel mills in north China, spanning November to April of the following year . During this period, if air quality failed to meet standards, local environmental protection authorities would initiate production restriction measures, prioritizing restrictions on sintering machines and shaft furnaces, leading to tighter supply of sinter and pellet. To maintain blast furnace operations, steel mills were forced to increase the proportion of lump ore in their charge mix, driving a seasonal strengthening of lump ore demand, which in turn supported lump ore premiums and a rise in the lump-fines price spread. Transmission logic: environmental protection policy → sinter machine production restrictions → forced adjustment of furnace charge structure → stronger demand for lump ore and pellet ore → premium fluctuations Data source: SMM Coke prices affected the iron ore product mix through dual channels of fuel costs and profit margins ◼ 1 High coke prices suppressed lump ore demand As raw material directly charged into furnaces, lump ore consumed more coke than sinter and pellet ore, so steel mills typically controlled the lump ore charging ratio at around 10%. During periods when coke prices fluctuated at highs, steel mills tended to reduce lump ore proportions to control fuel costs. Before H1 2024, coke prices fluctuated at highs, and the lump ore usage ratio continued to decline, falling to a low of 9.8%. However, as coke prices underwent nearly a year of decline and entered a low range, combined with relatively low lump ore premiums and the push from environmental protection-driven production restriction policies, the lump ore charging ratio gradually rebounded, once exceeding 11%. Data source: SMM ◼ 2 Demand for high-silicon fines suppressed The higher the silicon content in iron ore, the greater the blast furnace slag volume and the higher the coke ratio. Therefore, low-silicon smelting is a key direction for blast furnace process optimization and a critical lever for cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Among current iron ore products on the market, mainstream mid-grade ore Si content mostly ranges from 4-6%. Brazilian high-silicon BRBF has relatively high Si content at 10-12%. Therefore, Australian ore is mostly used as the primary material, while Brazilian ore and non-mainstream ore serve as auxiliary materials. When coke prices were at highs, the cost disadvantage of high-silicon resources became prominent, and steel mills tended to reduce Brazilian high-silicon BRBF, Indian fines, and South African fines, shifting to mid-to-high-grade fines with lower silicon content (such as PB fines and IOCJ fines). Going forward, the iron ore oversupply pattern will become more prominent, while under overcapacity pressure in China's steel sector, steel mill profits will remain poor. Therefore, cost reduction and efficiency improvement will be a long-term direction, driving stronger demand for low-silicon, low-aluminum products. Consequently, mainstream mid-grade ore will remain the product with the best market circulation. Data source: SMM ◼ 3 Rising share of mid-to-low-grade fines under low profits High coke and ore prices squeezed steel mill profits, and steel mills no longer pursued hot metal production maximization, instead increasing mid-to-low-grade fines usage and lowering charging grade to control costs. Based on historical data, such situations occurred in Q3 2024 and Q2 2025. Auxiliary Variables: Inventory, Substitution, and Preferences ◼ 1 Product substitution effect: mid-grade inter-substitution and "high-low blending" substitution In the product mix of steel mill sinter, "high-low blending" and "mid-grade blending" are commonly mentioned concepts, with the core principle being to select the optimal products based on the cost-effectiveness of different iron ore varieties. Under normal circumstances, steel mills use MNPJ (i.e., mainstream medium-grade ore types such as Mac fines, Newman fines, PB fines, and Jimblebar fines) as primary materials, or adopt a high-low grade combination of " IOCJ fines + super special fines " as primary materials, and adjust auxiliary material ratios based on the acidity and alkalinity of the primary materials. Using mainstream medium-grade ore types as primary materials is the more common practice. When mainstream medium-grade ore types are periodically less cost-effective — for example, when the combined cost of "IOCJ fines + super special fines" is lower than that of medium-grade PB fines — some steel mills periodically switch to high-low grade combinations as primary materials to reduce costs. As shown in the chart, during March to April of 2024 and 2025, the cost-effectiveness advantage of high-low grade combinations was significantly superior to that of medium-grade ore, and therefore some steel mills in regions such as Hebei and Shanxi predominantly chose high-low grade combinations as primary materials during these periods. Data source: SMM ◼ 2. Inventory Structure Drives Price Spreads among Varieties: Inventory Changes and Price Transmission Logic Inventory is the most intuitive reflection of short-term supply-demand imbalances in the iron ore market. When supply is loose or demand weakens, port inventory continues to rise, and inventory levels generally exhibit a negative correlation with prices. Once inventory accumulates to a certain level, it tends to exert significant downward pressure on prices. Over the past two years, the inventory and price trends of Ukrainian concentrate (hereinafter "Ukrainian concentrate") have well validated this pattern. In November 2023, Ukrainian concentrate shipments gradually resumed, but as steel mills still had concerns about the stability of its supply, actual usage did not increase significantly, leading to continued port inventory accumulation. By May 2024, SMM ten-port inventory data by variety showed that Ukrainian concentrate inventory exceeded 3 million mt , exerting significant downward pressure on prices, with Ukrainian concentrate prices falling from 1,200 yuan/mt at the beginning of the year to 900 yuan/mt. Meanwhile, the price spread between Ukrainian concentrate and PB fines also narrowed from 160 yuan/mt to 80 yuan/mt, and its cost-effectiveness advantage gradually emerged, driving a notable increase in steel mill demand. Entering early 2026, affected by a decline in Ukrainian concentrate supply, port inventory retreated from highs to around 1.1 million mt, and tightening supply supported a notable rebound in Ukrainian concentrate prices, with the price spread versus PB fines also widening from 80 yuan/mt to around 100 yuan/mt . Data source: SMM Variety Cost-Effectiveness Assessment Model and Selection Strategy ◼ 1. Horizontal Comparison: Micro-Indicator Assessment among Same-Grade Varieties. In recent years, global mainstream iron ore supply entered a resource transition period, with notable structural adjustment characteristics. On one hand, some aging mines faced resource depletion , with declining mining grades; on the other hand, new mines were still in the capacity ramp-up stage , and the transition between old and new resources still required time. As a result, quality indicators of multiple mainstream varieties were broadly downgraded. Among them, medium-grade ore indicators represented by PB fines and Newman fines weakened; due to declining raw ore quality in Brazil's northern system, not only did IOCJ fines production contract, but the proportion of high-silicon special IOCJ fines output also rose, with silicon content increase being particularly notable beyond the decline in iron grade. Against this backdrop, steel mills tended to assess the most cost-effective varieties by calculating comprehensive price spreads. From the perspective of minor indicator adjustment values, the smaller the adjusted price spread relative to the MMI 61% index, the better the variety met steel mill demand. Based on Q1 averages, Jimblebar fines offered the best cost-effectiveness, followed by PB fines, Mac fines, Newman fines, and BRBR. However, since Jimblebar fines could not be traded or delivered, PB fines remained the optimal choice among medium-grade ores. Data source: SMM ◼ 2. Vertical Comparison: Historical Percentile Timing of High, Medium, and Low-Grade Price Spreads Beyond the horizontal comparison of price spreads among varieties of similar grades, vertically examining price spread changes among high, medium, and low-grade ores was equally important. By analyzing historical percentiles of the price difference between high and medium-grade ore and the price difference between medium and low-grade ore, the relative valuation of each grade could be assessed to guide variety switching and timing. Price difference between high and medium-grade ore: when at historical highs, the high-grade premium was excessive, and switching to medium-grade was advisable under profit pressure; when at historical lows, high-grade cost-effectiveness stood out, and moderate allocation increases were appropriate. Beyond premiums, using IOCJ fines and PB fines as benchmarks and calculating based on their indicator costs, the neutral value of the price spread between the two was 100 yuan/mt. When the spread exceeded 100 yuan/mt, PB fines offered better cost-effectiveness; when below 100 yuan/mt, IOCJ fines were more cost-effective. Price difference between medium and low-grade ore: when at historical highs, low-grade advantages were evident, suitable for cost reduction during thin-margin periods; when at historical lows, medium-grade cost-effectiveness improved, allowing flexible adjustments. Using PB fines and SSF as benchmarks and calculating based on their indicator costs, the price spread between the two ranged from 100-120 yuan/mt, with a midpoint of 110 as the neutral value. When the spread exceeded 110 yuan/mt, super special fines offered better cost-effectiveness; when below 110 yuan/mt, PB fines were more cost-effective. Combining the historical percentiles of both, allocation windows for each grade could be captured based on profit cycles to achieve cost optimization. Data source: SMM ◼ 3 Morphology Comparison: Arbitrage Logic of Fines-Lump Price Spread and Lump Ore Premium. Taking the price spread between PB lump and PB fines as an example, influenced by steel mill profits and coke prices, the fines-lump price spread exhibited notable fluctuations. Historical data showed the price spread between PB lump and PB fines ranged approximately 80–500 yuan/mt. In H1 2021, driven by high steel mill profits and supply-demand mismatch, the fines-lump price spread once approached the historical high of nearly 500 yuan/mt. In recent years, as steel mill profits narrowed, the price spread contracted significantly. In 2025, the fines-lump price spread operated within a range of 70–220 yuan/mt, with an annual average of approximately 128 yuan/mt. In early 2026, the lump ore premium fell to $0.04/dmt, and the price spread narrowed to 65 yuan/mt. Given that China's overcapacity landscape has not fundamentally changed, steel mill profits are expected to remain basically flat with 2025, and the fines-lump price spread is likely to maintain the current range. Based on this assessment: When the lump-fines price spread exceeds 120 yuan/mt, PB fines offer better value; When the lump-fines price spread falls below 120 yuan/mt, PB lump offers better value. Steel mills can choose accordingly based on their own conditions. Data source: SMM ◼ 4 Substitution Comparison: Cost-Effectiveness Competition between Lump Ore and Pellet Generally, when steel mill profits are favourable, steel mills consider increasing the usage ratio of lump ore and pellet. Typically, the combined usage share of lump ore and pellet ranges between 20%–30%. In actual ore blending decisions, steel mills' price spread analysis between lump ore and pellet falls into two categories: inland steel mills usually compare the price spread between domestic pellet and lump ore such as PB lump and Newman lump; while coastal port steel mills focus more on the price spread between imported pellet and corresponding lump ore. In recent years, with the increase in China's pellet capacity and the decline in imported pellet volumes, the weighting of price spread comparison between same-grade lump ore and domestic pellet has further increased. Historical data showed the price spread between 62% grade pellet in Qingdao and PB lump ore at Qingdao port ranged approximately 40–260 yuan/mt, with an annual average price spread of approximately 108 yuan/mt in 2025. Considering steel mills' actual cost accounting, the price spread equilibrium point between pellet and lump ore is generally set at 120 yuan/mt. When the pellet-lump price spread exceeds 120 yuan/mt, lump ore offers better value; When the pellet-lump price spread falls below 120 yuan/mt, pellet offers better value. Steel mills can choose accordingly based on their own raw material conditions, logistics structure, and production requirements. Data source: SMM Carbon Neutrality as a Two-Way Driver: Steel Industry Restructuring Shifts Iron Ore Demand ◼ The rapid advancement of industrialisation has significantly intensified the impact on the global climate, making the urgency of achieving carbon neutrality increasingly pressing. Particularly over the past five years, major economies represented by China and the EU have not only defined their respective emission reduction targets but also successively introduced legally binding regulations, marking a shift in global climate governance from consensus to action. Going forward, China's Ecological Environment Code and the EU's European Climate Law and "Fit for 55" package will become the two major institutional benchmarks for global climate governance. China's carbon market and the EU's CBAM, from the two dimensions of domestic carbon pricing and cross-border carbon adjustment respectively, form core policy tools for effectively controlling carbon emissions. Source: SMM ◼ Driven by both domestic and international legislation, the steel industry will undergo an evolution in emission reduction pathways: process transformation from long-process to short-process steelmaking; low-carbon transition driving non-blast furnace ironmaking development and carbon constraints driving furnace charge structure upgrades. These pathways will collectively reshape the demand structure of iron ore, manifested as strengthened preference for high-grade, low-impurity iron ore concentrates and premium mainstream ore types, while demand for traditional sintering fines tends to narrow. ◼ 1. Process restructuring: the shift from long-process to short-process steelmaking will drive increased demand for mainstream varieties and high-grade ore Under the global backdrop of "carbon neutrality" goals, the steel industry is regarded as one of the key areas for industrial emission reduction. The traditional long process (blast furnace-converter process), due to its reliance on coke and iron ore, is considered a major source of high carbon emissions and has become a key target for regulation and transformation. Many countries have begun shifting toward the more environmentally friendly short process (steel scrap-electric furnace process), but this transition has been relatively slow in China. On one hand, electric furnace steelmaking is largely limited to rebar production; on the other hand, steel scrap supply is constrained. Additionally, considering factors such as melting costs and losses in steel scrap smelting, pig iron costs should be higher than steel scrap prices by 100-150 yuan/mt for steel scrap to be more cost-effective; if the price spread is below this level, pig iron offers better value. In 2025, the price spread between hot metal costs and steel scrap fluctuated in a range of -100-210. Pig iron costs were mostly more favorable than steel scrap, so the share of blast furnace steelmaking in China stayed high. Source: SMM In China, apart from profitability, short-process electric furnaces are also constrained by high electricity prices, steel scrap price fluctuations, and cost disadvantages , resulting in slow capacity growth. Although the national carbon market is already operational, current carbon prices have not been effectively incorporated into trading, which is not enough to drive a large-scale shift from long-process to electric furnaces, and enterprises mostly adopt gradual adjustments . Source: SMM Based on current policy and market conditions, before China's steel industry is formally included in the national carbon market trading and during the early stage of the EU's CBAM policy implementation, the blast furnace-converter long process will remain the dominant mode of global steel production over the next five years. However, under the dual pressures of domestic steel capacity capping and rising carbon prices in the future, China's electric furnace short process is entering a historic development opportunity, with its share of steelmaking set to gradually increase. By 2030, the share of electric furnace steelmaking is expected to reach around 35%. In the long term, this trend will gradually suppress iron ore demand, causing it to weaken. Against the backdrop of oversupply, competition among iron ore varieties will intensify, and therefore high cost-effective varieties with low silicon and aluminum content will become the optimal choice for steel mills. Undoubtedly, mainstream medium and high-grade ore such as PB fines, Mac fines, Newman fines, IOCJ fines, BRBF, and Simandou fines all belong to relatively high-quality varieties. ◼ 2 Low-carbon transition driving non-blast furnace ironmaking development, demand for high-grade iron ore concentrates with Fe content above 65% expected to continue rising Currently, global DRI production accounts for only 10% of total global production. As low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen-based DRI accelerate in application, DRI production share is expected to rise to 13% by 2030. In comparison, China's non-blast furnace ironmaking share is even smaller, with mass production not yet achieved and only leading steel enterprises in the trial production stage. Under current carbon neutrality requirements, China's non-blast furnace ironmaking is facing significant development opportunities. According to incomplete statistics, announced non-blast furnace ironmaking capacity totaled approximately 18 million mt, of which only 2 million mt were under construction, with the remaining 16 million mt of projects still in early stages, carrying relatively high risk coefficients. Whether these projects materialize depends on multiple factors including funding, market conditions, decarbonization policies, and government support, resulting in significant uncertainty regarding future commissioning time. Future projects will primarily be gas-based; current major DRI equipment uses coke oven gas (COG), but in the medium and long-term will gradually shift to green hydrogen. Data source: World Steel Association Data source: SMM Currently, the core requirements for DRI raw materials are "high grade, low impurities," with Fe grade ≥66% and SiO2+Al2O3 ≤3.5%. China's concentrates generally have relatively high silicon content, with some exceeding 10%. Therefore, only a few low-silicon concentrates can be used to produce direct reduced pellet feed. Ex-China high-grade concentrates offer a wider range of options. Data source: SMM As DRI production grows, demand for high-quality iron units is also increasing, leading to a structural rise in the share of high-grade iron ore and pure iron raw materials. As shown in the chart, varieties within the red box all have Fe content above 66%, with Si+Al content around 3.5%; these include some high-grade iron ore concentrates from China, Brazilian pellet feed concentrates, Peruvian concentrates, and emerging Simandou fines, all of which can serve as DRI raw materials. Data source: SMM ◼ 3. Carbon constraints drive furnace charge structure upgrades, with pellet replacing sinter becoming key to carbon reduction, and pellet-making concentrates with grades above 62% set to see significant growth. As China's steel industry pursues structural adjustment, optimization, and green, low-carbon, high-quality development, pellet ore as a premium raw material for blast furnaces has been increasingly favoured by the industry, driving the rapid development of the pellet sector. The energy consumption of the pellet production process is approximately 50% of that of the sinter production process. According to CISA's 2025 statistics, the average energy consumption of the sintering process among its member units was 48.5 kg/mt, while the average energy consumption of the pellet process was 25.23 kg/mt, indicating lower energy consumption in pellet production. Due to the different heat supply methods in pellet roasting compared to sintering, SO2, NOX, and CO2 emissions after combustion are much lower than those from the sintering process. In addition, pellet ore generates much less dust than sinter, making the pellet process more environmentally friendly. The emission comparison between the sintering process and the pellet process is shown in the chart below: Data source: SMM ◼ A high proportion of pellet ore in furnace charge is the direction and demand of current blast furnace charge structure development Compared with other countries in the world, China's blast furnace charge structure is dominated by sinter with a low pellet ratio , while blast furnaces in North America and Europe primarily use high proportions of pellets, with some blast furnaces reaching 100%. For example: SSAB's blast furnace in Sweden had a pellet ratio of 97.2%, Dofasco in Canada achieved 100% all-pellet smelting, and USS No. 14 blast furnace had a pellet ratio of 80%, etc. According to CISA's 2025 statistics, the average fuel ratio per unit of ironmaking at China's key steel enterprises was 523-525 kg/mt, approximately 70 kg higher than the average fuel ratio of European and American blast furnaces. The reason is that China's blast furnace charge is dominated by sinter, with sinter iron grade at around 54-57%, while pellet ore iron grade is above 62%. High sinter usage leads to high slag volume and high energy consumption in blast furnaces. Therefore, against the backdrop of carbon reduction, increasing the proportion of pellet ore usage is imperative. Data source: SMM ◼ Currently, there are three main types of pellet production equipment in China: shaft furnaces, chain grate-rotary kilns, and travelling grates . In recent years, pellet equipment with a single-unit capacity below 1.2 million mt/year (excluding ferroalloy and foundry pig iron pellets) has been classified as a restricted category; therefore, capacity replacement of pellet equipment continues, with new pellet projects predominantly using travelling grates, with single production line capacity mostly at 5 million mt. As a result, current pellet production is mainly based on rotary kilns and travelling grates. These two types of equipment have less stringent raw material requirements compared to shaft furnaces, allowing the blending of multiple ore types such as magnetite, hematite, and limonite. However, it must be concentrate, with a particle size requirement generally of -200 mesh, 70% or above. Commonly used varieties include: domestic concentrate, Ukrainian concentrate, Brazilian concentrate, Middle Eastern concentrate, Chilean concentrate, Australian concentrate, Sierra Leonean concentrate, etc. As the proportion of pellet usage increases in the future, demand for concentrate with grades of 62% and above will continue to expand. ◼ Overall, before 2030, as carbon neutrality policies and Europe's CBAM are still in the early stages of implementation, carbon emission costs have not yet become significantly prominent. Meanwhile, China's steel production is trending downward, while iron ore supply is accelerating, steel mill profits are under pressure, and cost reduction and efficiency improvement remain the industry's mainstream strategy. Therefore, procurement will continue to focus on low- and medium-grade iron ore, demand for non-mainstream ore varieties will remain robust, the price spread among high-, medium-, and low-grade ore will be difficult to widen, and premiums for lump ore and pellets will also stay at current low levels. ◼ After 2030, market requirements for green steel will gradually increase, the share of electric furnace steelmaking and non-blast furnace steelmaking will rise, and overall iron ore demand will decline notably. Although blast furnace capacity will decrease, operating rates may improve, driving down sinter demand while pellet demand increases significantly. This shift will lead to a sharp decline in fines demand and an expansion of market share for mainstream medium-grade ore; meanwhile, demand for high-quality concentrate will rise, pushing the price difference between high and medium-grade ore wider, and pellet premiums will also continue to climb. Additionally, although lump ore demand has some growth potential, the increase will be limited under carbon emission constraints, and lump ore premium elasticity will diminish accordingly.

On April 20, the completion environmental protection acceptance monitoring report for the "High-Purity Electronic Grade Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas Project" by Sichuan Zhongfluorine New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. was released. After completion, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons of high-purity sulfur hexafluoride, 2,500 tons of carbon tetrafluoride, 5,000 tons of nitrogen trifluoride, 300 tons of octafluoropropane, and 200 tons of fluorine gas mixture.

On March 26, the Yulin Ecological Environment Bureau released the proposed approval public notice for the environmental impact report of the "Guangxi Huayou Lithium Industry Co., Ltd. Additional 50,000 t/a Lithium Carbonate Technical Transformation Project." The project uses lithium sulfate crystals and soda ash as raw materials to build an additional 50,000 t/a lithium carbonate technical transformation project. It covers an area of approximately 45,500 m². The total investment is 12.1 million yuan, of which 6.05 million yuan is for environmental protection.

The 2026 SMM Tier1 List was officially unveiled at the banquet of the CLNB 2026 (the 11th New Energy Industry Chain Expo) , organized by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). This conference, held at Suzhou International Expo Center, China from April 8-10, 2026, served as the premier platform for advancing the global clean energy ecosystem. About SMM Tier1 List In 2022, China's new energy industry chain accelerated its expansion, while overseas automakers and energy storage enterprises saw surging demand for Chinese supply chains. Coupled with information barriers caused by the pandemic, the international market urgently needed an objective and fair benchmark to bridge the two-way needs between Chinese enterprises going global and overseas clients optimizing their supply chains. Leveraging long-term data accumulation and professional research on the entire new energy industry chain, the SMM TIER 1 list emerged to meet this demand and was officially launched for the first time in 2023 . The SMM TIER 1 list, launched by SMM , serves as a global benchmark for the new energy industry. Centered on "transparent methodology + independent auditing," it incorporates third-party verification from institutions like Dun & Bradstreet and SGS to establish globally comparable industry standards. After years of refinement, the list now covers 10+ sub-sectors , including energy storage, lithium battery, and PV, etc., gaining widespread recognition from global industry chain clients. It has become a core reference for international market collaboration, serving as both a "golden benchmark" for industrial strength and a vital bridge for global resource alignment. 2026 SMM Tier1 List (The following enterprises are listed in no particular order) Analyst Views on Energy Storage Battery Cells Utility Storage Flourishes, Chinese Players Dominate Household Storage Unlocks a Second Growth Curve for the Energy Storage Market Fast-Growing Enterprises Make Breakthrough, New and Established Players Jointly Form a Positive Market Landscape Representative Enterprises of Utility Energy Storage Battery Cell Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited BYD Company Limited EVE Energy Co., Ltd. REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co., Ltd. CALB Technology Group Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. SEVB Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Ganfeng LiEnergy Technology Co., Ltd. Qinghai Pengcheng Wuxian New Energy Co., Ltd. AESC Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. SVOLT Energy Technology Co., Ltd. SAIC New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Household Energy Storage Battery Cell REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. EVE Energy Co., Ltd. Shanghai Pylon Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Xiamen Ampace Technology Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Representatives of Fast-Growing Battery Cell Enterprises Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Guoke Energy (Chuzhou) Co., Ltd. CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd. CATC New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Energy Storage Integration Grid-Forming Technology Consolidates the Foundation of New-Type Power Systems Power Generation and Grid Side Forge the Global Benchmark Echelon for Large-Scale Energy Storage Integration Expansion of User-Side Scenarios Pioneer New Growth Space for Distributed Energy Storage Representative Enterprises of Grid-Forming ESS Technology Nanjing NR Electric Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Xiamen Kehua Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Power Generation and Grid-Side ESS Integrators CSI Solar Xinyuan Zhichu Energy Development (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Ast Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co., Ltd. CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co., Ltd. Envision Energy Co., Ltd. Risen Energy Co., Ltd. China Electrical Equipment Group Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Zhiguang Electric Co., Ltd. BYD Company Limited Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. Sieyuan Electric Co., Ltd. Shanghai Robestec Energy Co., Ltd. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Nanjing NR Protection Electric Co., Ltd. TrinaSolar Co., Ltd. User-Side ESS Integrators Jiangsu WHES Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Hoenergy (Shanghai) Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Xi'an JD Energy Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Megarevo Energy Co., Ltd. Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Shanghai Robestec Energy Co., Ltd. Serge New Energy (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Xiamen Ampace Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Pylon Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Suzhou LONGi Precision Control Technology Co., Ltd. Wanbang Digital Energy Co., Ltd. Ningbo Deye Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Times Energy Creation Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Viws on PV Industry Technology Leadership, Global Benchmark Full-Chain Layout, Scale-Driven Leadership Inverter Suppliers Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. TBEA Co., Ltd. Shanghai Chint Power Systems Co., Ltd. Ginlong Technologies Co., Ltd. GoodWe Technologies Co., Ltd. Xiamen Kehua Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Huadian Energy Conservation Technology Co., Ltd. Beijing Shuangjie Electric Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Solax Network Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Sig New Energy (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. PV Module Suppliers LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. TrinaSolar Co., Ltd. JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. Tongwei Co., Ltd. Chint New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. GCL SI Technology Co., Ltd. Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co., Ltd. CSI Solar Co., Ltd. TCL Zhonghuan Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. Yingli Solar Energy Development Co., Ltd. Risen Energy Co., Ltd. Shanghai AIKO New Energy Co., Ltd. Suzhou Jolywood Solar Technology Co., Ltd. DAS Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Zhongrun Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd. Ningbo Ulica Solar Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ZNShine PV-Tech Co., Ltd. AE Solar Solar Panel Mounting Bracket Suppliers Jiangsu Guoqiang Xingsheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Zhongxinbo New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Antai New Energy Jiangsu Xinhengyuan Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Trina Tracker Shanghai Viwan Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. Array Technologies Antai New Energy Versol Solar Hangzhou Huading New Energy Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Advanced Equipment Battery manufacturing equipment enterprises forge core process for lithium battery mass production Material manufacturing equipment manufacturers build a solid foundation for efficient production across the industry chain Battery Manufacturing Equipment Enterprises Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Yinghe Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Hangke Technology Co., Ltd. Wuxi Autowell Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Lyric Robot Intelligent Automation Co., Ltd. Yingkou Jinchen Machinery Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Colibri Technologies Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Fujian Nebula Electronics Co., Ltd. Mécanuméric (Shanghai) Industrial Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Manst Technology Co., Ltd. Ningde Sikeqi Intelligent Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Geesun Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Material Manufacturing Equipment Enterprises Jiangsu Myande Energy-saving Evaporation Equipment Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Huahong Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. Hefei Hengli Equipment Co., Ltd. Enerpat (Jiangsu) Environmental Co., Ltd. Gaoneng Shuzao (Xi'an) Technology Co., Ltd. Yijia Pump Industry (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. Guangdong Yifu Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. Ningbo Keao Flow Instrument Co., Ltd. Shijiazhuang Dingwei Chemical Equipment Engineering Co., Ltd. Gaodao Sealing Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. RIGHTLEDER (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. Guizhou Weihua Technology Co., Ltd. Zhongyu (Tianjin) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Changzhou Boduan Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Longentech Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. Ningbo Xici Technology Development Co., Ltd. Hebei Yanming Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Iron Phosphate LFP Core Precursor, Cornerstone of the Lithium Battery Industry Chain Ammonium Process for Market Stability, Iron Process for Cost Reduction, Multiple Processes in Parallel Technology Iteration Drives Cost Reduction, Consolidating a Stable Supply Chain Foundation Representative Enterprises of the Ammonium Process Route Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Guizhou Hention New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Guizhou Yayou New Materials Co., Ltd. Hubei Xingyou New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. CNGR Advanced Material Co., Ltd. Guizhou Phosphate Chemical New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Yacheng New Energy Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of the Iron Process Route Shandong Caike New Materials Co., Ltd. Yuntu New Energy Materials (Jingzhou) Co., Ltd. Tangshan Hengkun New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of the Sodium Process Route Henan Baili New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Tongling Nayuan Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on LFP The Dominant Material in Both Energy Storage and NEV Markets Leading Across Multiple Technology Routes, Chinese Enterprises Setting Global Benchmarks Supporting the Scaling and High-Quality Development of the New Energy Industry Representative Enterprises of the Iron Phosphate Process Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Materials Co., Ltd. Hubei Wanrun New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Youshan New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Fengyuan Lithium Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology (LBM) Co., Ltd. Guizhou Anda Technology Energy Co., Ltd. Hubei Rongtong High-tech Advanced Materials Group Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Ferrous Oxalate Method Fulin Precision Machining Co., Ltd. Hunan Pengbo New Material Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Liquid-Phase Method Shenzhen Dynanonic Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Iron Oxide Red Method Sichuan GCL Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views in Ternary Cathode Core Material for High-End Power, Accelerating High-Nickel Technology Iteration Deepening Integrated Resource Layout, Leading Global Industry Direction Enabling Long Driving Range and High-End Upgrades for NEVs Representative Enterprises of Ternary Cathode Material Gansu Jinchuan Reshine New Material Co., Ltd. Tianjin B&M Technology Co., Ltd. Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Minmetals New Energy Materials (Hunan) Co., Ltd. Tianjin Guoan MGL New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Yibin Libode New Materials Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Anode Materials Industry Leaders Drive Iteration More New Players Emerge Industry Upgrades Accelerate Anode Material Enterprises Liyang Tianmu Advanced Battery Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Lanxi Zhide New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Yijin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd. Shanghai Shanshan Technology Co., Ltd. Shijiazhuang Shangtai Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Kaijin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Zhongke Shinzoom Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Zichen Technology Co., Ltd. Shenghua New Materials Technology (Meishan) Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Solid-State Industry Next-Generation Battery Technology, Semi-Solid-State Mass Production Accelerates Full Supply Chain Matrix Takes Initial Shape, Ushering in a New Era of Diversified Application Scenarios Representative Enterprises of Solid-State Battery Technology Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Group Co., Ltd. Beijing WELION New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. CATL New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Fengli New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hytzer New Energy (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Solid-State Electrolyte Shanghai Emperor of Cleaning Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. Liyang CASOL Energy New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Fengli New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. LionGo (Changzhou) New Energy Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Sodium-Ion Battery Industry An Emerging Force in Energy Storage and Low-Speed Mobility, with Prominent Cost Advantages Self-Controlled Entire Industry Chain, Scaled Capacity Release Forging a Globally Leading Sodium-Ion Battery Industry Landscape Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Cells Shanxi Huanaxinneng Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Highstar Sodium Star Technology Co., Ltd. Vicor Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu ZTE Pylon Battery Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Yingong Technology Co., Ltd. Shuangdeng Group‌ Beijing HiNa Battery Technology Co., Ltd.‌ Chilwee Power Group Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Anode Chengdu BSG Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Rongna New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Wuhan Tianna Technology Co., Ltd. Zhuhai Nagan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Nake New Materials Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Zoolnasm Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Jiana Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Xiamen Xingrong New Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. Huzhou Yingna New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Yibin Tianyuan Lithium Battery New Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Xinna New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang NaTRIUM Energy Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Zhuhai Smoothway Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. LionGo (Changzhou) New Energy Co., Ltd. Huzhou Kunlun ENCHEM Battery Materials Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Recycling Industry Core Carrier of Lithium Battery Green Recycling, Key Support for Dual-Carbon Strategy Full Value Chain Taking Shape, Integrated Leaders Driving Closed-Loop Development Facilitating Sustainable Development Across the Full Life Cycle of the Lithium Battery Industry Representative Enterprises in Lithium Battery Recycling Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Huayou Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. GEM Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Sunwoda Recycled Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Nandu Huabo New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Xunying New Energy Group Co., Ltd. Wuhan Power Battery Regeneration Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Jiecheng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Hengchuangruineng Environmental Protection Technology Group Co., Ltd. Jiujiang Tinci Resource Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Ganfeng Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Ganzhou Longkai Technology Co., Ltd. Shangrao Huanli Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Ganzhou Tengyuan Cobalt New Materials Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Tianneng New Materials Co., Ltd. Guangdong Fangyuan New Material Group Co., Ltd. Guizhou CNGR New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Keyking Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Meiduo Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Nandu Huabo New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Shanxi Yaxin GEM Qingyuan Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Henan Zhongxin New Materials Co., Ltd. At the banquet on the first day of the CLNB 2026 (The 11th New Energy Industry Chain Expo), Zhengyong Huang, Deputy General Manager of the Iron Phosphate Division of Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., and Liang Liu, Deputy General Manager of the Energy Storage Division of REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd., took the stage to receive the awards on behalf of the award winning enterprises. Shirley Wang, Vice President of SMM, presented awards to the winners! SMM congratulates the above award-winning enterprises and thanks all industry peers for their support!