According to China News Service, on April 16, at the plant of Jiuquan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, automated equipment was producing a new generation of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products. It was reported that the group assembled a specialized team to tackle zinc-aluminum-magnesium technology. Against the backdrop of formidable external technical barriers and the absence of batch production track records in China, the team spent six years of intensive efforts to produce China's first coil of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products with proprietary intellectual property rights. At the end of 2025, JISCO's new generation of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products was unveiled. This product category represents the most technically challenging variety in the hot-dip galv
Apr 17, 2026 09:31According to China News Service, on April 16, at the plant of Jiuquan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, automated equipment was producing a new generation of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products. It was reported that the group assembled a specialized team to tackle zinc-aluminum-magnesium technology. Against the backdrop of formidable external technical barriers and the absence of batch production track records in China, the team spent six years of intensive efforts to produce China's first coil of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products with proprietary intellectual property rights. At the end of 2025, JISCO's new generation of zinc-aluminum-magnesium products was unveiled. This product category represents the most technically challenging variety in the hot-dip galvanizing industry. JISCO is the only company in China to have achieved large-scale batch production, filling the technological gap in related fields in China. The products have been successfully applied in highly corrosive environments such as cooling towers, motor housings, energy storage, and offshore PV, and have been exported to multiple countries including Thailand, the Philippines, and Argentina.
Apr 17, 2026 09:30[SMM Tin Morning Brief: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Opened Slightly Lower in the Night Session and Then Maintained a Fluctuating Trend, with the Spot Market Showing a Certain Degree of Stalemate]
Apr 17, 2026 09:09Capacity side, according to incomplete statistics, China's alkaline electrolyzer market remained at 43.77 GW, the PEM electrolyzer market remained at 2.7 GW, with no new capacity additions for the time being. No offline public delivery information was available this week. Project-related updates: Guangdong Liquid Sunshine Green Energy Co., Ltd.: The company officially signed a memorandum of cooperation with Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technology, and East China Engineering Science and Technology Co., Ltd. in Hefei. The three parties will jointly advance the implementation of the 150,000 mt biomass green methanol demonstration project invested and constructed by Liquid Sunshine Green Energy in Tiandong County, Guangxi. Jiang Xi, Executive President of Liquid Sunshine Green Energy, Zhong Ling, General Manager of Johnson Matthey China, and Meng Chenzhou, General Manager of East China Engineering, completed the signing on behalf of their respective parties. Zhongneng Kehang (Baotou) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The annual 300 million m³ green electricity-to-hydrogen production project received filing approval. The project is located in Baotou City — Guyang County — Jinshan Economic Development Zone, Guyang County, Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with a total investment of 500 million yuan. Construction scale and content: 18 new hydrogen production lines, office buildings, workshops, shift dormitories, etc. Planned construction period: 2026/08–2028/07. Guoneng Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd.: In collaboration with the New Energy Research Institute, the company successfully completed China's first 660 MW coal-fired boiler hydrogen co-firing pilot test, achieving a maximum hydrogen blending ratio of 45%, marking a pilot-scale breakthrough in coal-hydrogen co-combustion and pure hydrogen combustion. Heilongjiang Jiayirongyuan Green Chemical Co., Ltd.: Jidong County, Jixi City held the groundbreaking ceremony and technical exchange conference for the 300,000 mt green hydrogen-methanol-aviation fuel chemical co-production project. The project is invested and constructed by Heilongjiang Jiayirongyuan Green Chemical Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiaze New Energy Co., Ltd., with a planned total investment of approximately 3.557 billion yuan. The core of the project is to build an annual 300,000 mt green methanol production site and establish a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sustainable development system. China Energy Engineering Overseas Investment Co., Ltd.: The commissioning ceremony for Central Asia's first AEM electrolysis hydrogen production research equipment was grandly held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, marking a substantive breakthrough in joint R&D and application demonstration of key green hydrogen technologies between China and Kazakhstan. The equipment was jointly developed by the Overseas Investment Company and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, with the Overseas Investment Company also responsible for coordinating project investment and application scenario development. Leveraging advanced AEM electrolysis hydrogen production technology, the project demonstrates promising application prospects in improving hydrogen production efficiency and reducing system costs. Haiwang (Ningdong) New Materials Co., Ltd.: Its annual 5,000 mt carbazole project successfully completed trial production with feedstock. The project not only continuously produced high-grade products but also achieved batch delivery to multiple clients across different industries. It is understood that Haiwang (Ningdong) New Materials Co., Ltd. is a project jointly funded by Beijing Haiwang Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Ningxia Ningdong Technology Venture Capital Co., Ltd. The company is located in the New Materials Park of Ningxia Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base, covering 65 mu of land, and construction of an annual 5,000 mt-class continuous carbazole production line has been completed. Zhongneng Jian Bochuang Green Fuel (Shenyang) Co., Ltd.: China's first 500,000 mt-class biomass green methanol-oil demonstration project — the Liaoning Shenyang 500,000 mt-class wind and solar power hydrogen production integrated with biomass green methanol-oil demonstration project — officially commenced construction. The demonstration project has a total investment of 32 billion yuan, fully leveraging the local unique resource advantages of "wind power + biomass," and is committed to building an annual 500,000 mt biomass green methanol-oil project, equipped with 2 GW centralized wind power, with an estimated annual biomass demand of approximately 3 million mt. It is understood that the project will be advanced in three phases. After Phase I completion, annual green methanol production of 100,000 mt will be achieved; after Phase II completion, annual green aviation fuel production of 300,000 mt will be achieved; after Phase III completion, annual green ammonia production of 100,000 mt will be achieved, at which point the overall capacity target of 500,000 mt-class green fuel will be fully met. Xindao Hydrogen Energy Technology (Baotou) Co., Ltd.: The company co-hosted an industry-academia-research cooperation signing ceremony with the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Xindao Energy Group, Xindao Hydrogen Energy Technology (Baotou) Co., Ltd. is actively engaged in the construction of a hydrogen-based green fuel off-grid green electricity direct-connection project, aiming to achieve annual targets of 1.485 billion kWh of green electricity, 291 million m³ of green hydrogen, and 200,000 mt of green methanol. The company is committed to promoting the commercialization and application of key technologies for "electricity-hydrogen-carbon" integrated high-efficiency balanced synergy, and has reached a cooperation agreement with a well-known South Korean shipping enterprise on long-term green methanol supply and sales. Policy Review 1. Notice of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government on Issuing the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. The document stated that hydrogen-related industrial clusters should be accelerated with a focus on Yulin, Xi'an, and other areas, building a full industry chain of hydrogen energy covering "production, storage, transportation, refueling, and utilization," reducing hydrogen production costs, and expanding hydrogen energy application scenarios. 2. Notice of the Guangzhou Municipal Administration and Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau on Issuing the Guidelines for Applying for Special Subsidies for Hydrogen Refueling Station Construction and Operation in Guangzhou. 3. The People's Government of the 8th Division Shihezi City of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps released the Administrative Measures for Hydrogen Energy Industry Development of the 8th Division Shihezi City (Trial) (Draft for Public Comments). The document stated that the safety management of hydrogen energy product production, storage, transportation, filling, and use within the administrative area of the Division and City shall be governed by these measures. Where other laws and administrative regulations provide otherwise, those provisions shall apply. Enterprise Updates Zibo Wangji Transportation Co., Ltd.: The first batch of 40 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks were lined up and officially put into operation. These hydrogen heavy-duty trucks are all equipped with Guohong Hydrogen Energy's fuel cell systems and will primarily undertake trunk-line transportation of bulk materials such as ore powder, cement powder, and coal ash. Under typical conditions of a 100 km one-way trip with a full load of 40 mt, the vehicles can complete refueling in just 20 minutes using the supporting skid-mounted hydrogen refueling station. Sichuan Energy Investment Kuanzhai Green Supply Chain Co., Ltd.: The company released a competitive inquiry for the 2026–2027 comprehensive leasing service procurement project for five 49 mt hydrogen heavy-duty trucks. The tender announcement showed that the procurement covers comprehensive leasing services for five 49 mt hydrogen heavy-duty trucks (including tractor + semi-trailer + driving service + insurance + maintenance). Lease period: the contract term is one year in total, with the initial period of 3 months signed first, followed by contract renewals based on actual demand. This project does not accept consortium participation in the inquiry. Changsha Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology: The bureau released the transaction announcement for the hydrogen energy industry foundation and comprehensive application scenario research service project. The announcement showed that the Fifth Electronics Research Institute of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology successfully won the bid, with a winning amount of 192,000 yuan. Guangdong Yuntao Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. : The company officially reached a sales agreement with Guangzhou Yue'ancheng Trading Co., Ltd., under which Yuntao Hydrogen Energy will deliver 100 hydrogen heavy-duty trucks to Yue'ancheng Trading. It is understood that the 100 dump trucks in this successful order came from the key account development department of Yuntao Hydrogen Energy's dump truck business division, and will comprehensively support Yue'ancheng Trading's core transportation operations. To meet its high-frequency, high-volume transportation needs, these vehicles are equipped with fuel cell systems independently developed by Yuntao Hydrogen Energy, featuring advantages such as a driving range of up to 400 km, hydrogen refueling time of no more than 15 minutes, peak power of 355 kW, and payload capacity exceeding 14 mt. Shanghai Hydrogen Maple Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The company officially issued a certification to CSSC 712 Research Institute, marking a key breakthrough in China's marine SOFC technology and entering a new stage of standardized and industrialized development. Suzhou Qingqiji Environmental Protection New Energy Co., Ltd.: Following its successful bid for the Sinopec Group Zhongtian Hechuang Ordos coal chemical project and securing the first batch order of 8 electrolyzers, the company won additional orders for the same project in subsequent months. Specifically, after the initial bid win, Qingqiji leveraged its strengths to secure an additional order of 8 alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers for the Zhongtian Hechuang project four months later, making it the supplier with the largest tied share (16 electrolyzers in total) in the project. It is understood that the Zhongtian Hechuang wind and solar power hydrogen production integration project is not only Sinopec Group's second large-scale renewable energy hydrogen production project globally, but also a landmark project in China's hydrogen energy sector. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University: The first AEM hydrogen production–magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage integrated system, independently developed by its Hydrogen Science Center, was officially commissioned in Kazakhstan. The system integrates two core technologies — efficient hydrogen production and safe hydrogen storage — achieving deep intelligent coupling of hydrogen production and storage. It employs non-precious metal, low-cost green electricity dynamic direct-connection hydrogen production and directly delivers hydrogen at low pressure to the magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage module, eliminating high-pressure compression and cryogenic liquefaction steps, pioneering a new pathway for large-scale green hydrogen applications. ITM Power Plc: UK electrolyzer producer ITM Power Plc (LON:ITM) secured government funding of £86.5 million ($115.8 million/€99.3 million). The funding includes national equity investment and grants, and will support the construction of a 1 GW production line for its next-generation Chronos electrolyzer stack. Patent Applications 1. Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) published patent CN2025110028, developing a ceramic-based anion exchange membrane with a laboratory-tested lifespan of 80,000 hours. 2. Johnson Matthey (UK) filed patent WO2025109876, disclosing an Fe-Ni-Mo ternary non-precious metal catalyst formulation with activity approaching that of platinum-based materials. Technology Footprint / Technical Specifications 1. The team led by Professor Yu Ying at Central China Normal University developed a three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructured catalytic electrode, a core part for seawater hydrogen production. 2. Dalian University of Technology designed an electron pump catalyst with an asymmetric photo-responsive structure, maintaining asymmetry in electron distribution. 3. A research team from the School of Electrical Engineering and the State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment at Xi'an Jiaotong University successfully developed a Ru/Ti₃C₂Oₓ@NF bifunctional electrocatalyst for seawater electrolysis. 4. Johnson Matthey and Syensqo achieved efficient recovery and recycling of platinum group metals and ionomers from PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. 5. Teams from Xi'an Jiaotong University and Peking University jointly developed a novel osmium-based catalyst, significantly improving AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production efficiency and economics, facilitating large-scale low-cost green hydrogen production.
Apr 16, 2026 14:56[Nissan Targets 1 Million Units in Annual US Sales, Banking on V-6 Power, AI Intelligence and All-New Products] Nissan CEO Espinosa Ivan, in a new corporate vision unveiled on April 14, stated that the loss-making Japanese automaker would be revitalized through V-6 engine performance, a streamlined product lineup, ultra-efficient engineering R&D, and AI technology. Under the plan, Nissan is expected to increase its US sales to 1 million units by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2031. This is a level the company has not reached since its combined Nissan and Infiniti brand US sales hit 1.35 million units in 2019.
Apr 16, 2026 11:23Cao Yanfei, Senior Vice President of Infineon Technologies and Head of the Greater China Automotive Business, introduced at the 2026 Intelligent EV Development Senior Forum that Infineon's market share in the MCU sector rose to 36% last year. The company is advancing the development of RISC-V architecture automotive-grade MCUs. In 2027, through collaboration with local wafer fabs and OSAT companies, the company will achieve localized front-end and back-end production of the AURIX™ TC3x series products based on 40nm technology, as well as localized front-end and back-end production of automotive radar sensors based on 28nm technology. In the power device sector, the localized mass production of 40V MOSFETs was moved up to 2026, and the localized mass production timeline for the 40V MOSFET SSO8 was advanced from the originally planned 2027 to 2026. Currently, Infineon has jointly established innovation application centers with more than 10 leading OEMs and Tier-1 clients to accelerate the implementation of customized system-level solutions.
Apr 16, 2026 09:471. SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne Methodology 1.1 General Principles of SMM Price Assessment Methodology SMM (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any substantive transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with buyers or sellers in transactions as a market observer or organizer, and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously formulates, reviews, and revises its methodologies through communication with industry insiders, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry. It attaches equal importance to normal transactions that meet the specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price data information deemed to be of poor reliability or non-representative from its price assessments. SMM publishes daily spot metal prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM prices. For each published SMM price, SMM has established a corresponding methodology (all of which are available for reference on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). The methodology specifies the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM prices, and SMM strictly adheres to these provisions when producing and releasing SMM prices. To align with the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM may make necessary revisions to its price assessment methodology. Such revisions will be announced on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn, 28 days prior to their formal implementation. For any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices or their methodology, please contact SMM customer service (contact information can be found on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). This document outlines the standards for establishing SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne. The purpose of SMM in developing this standard is to establish a transparent and verifiable mechanism for SMM price determination. The SMM Benchmark Management Committee also regularly reviews the methodology and its assessment and publication processes. This committee oversees SMM’s methodology and compilation process, ensuring that the prices or indices reflect, as accurately as possible, the objective conditions of the physical spot market for the relevant commodities. If the committee identifies any issues, it will promptly highlight them and propose external consultation and revisions to the current methodology or processes, thereby enhancing the quality of the prices or indices published by SMM. The committee may only propose modifications to the methodology and procedures used for future price or index assessments it cannot alter already published prices or indices. 2. Formation of SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne 2.1 Significance of the Price Assessment In recent years, with the implementation of domestic and overseas NEV policies and the rapid expansion of NEV production, copper foil used as the anode carrier in lithium-ion batteries has shown a surge in demand. Meanwhile, the new infrastructure wave represented by 5G, along with rapid developments in artificial intelligence, big data, and automotive electronics, has driven increasing demand for copper foil in related electronic circuit industries. The copper foil industry is also advancing toward higher precision, density, and reliability. As industry capacity rises and develops, and enterprises expand into overseas markets such as South Korea, there is a growing need for a fair and standardized operating environment. Copper foil processing fees, beneficial for long-term risk control and management, play a crucial role in the industry's development. In light of this, SMM will officially launch weekly SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne starting December 26, 2025, at which time SMM price members will be able to simultaneously access historical prices. 2.2 SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne Price Assessment Methodology 2.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Given the wide variety of copper foil specifications, SMM uses the 8μm with the largest market share for copper foil premium assessments. The premium assessment adopts 8μm thickness product width: 700-1,000 mm product type: Power Battery with Ordinary Tensile Strength. KS C 2211-2002 Electrolytic Deposit Copper Foil for Printed Circuits standard. 2.2.2 Price Terms The price is a VAT-excluded CIF price at major ports in Korea based on the premium over LME CSP, with a quotation period of M+0 (M M stands for arrival month), quoted in USD per metric ton. 2.2.3 Payment Terms The price assessment reflects payment terms for cash transactions in the month of the transaction. Reference is made to major international payment methods (including D/P documents against payment, D/A documents against acceptance, T/T telegraphic transfer, etc.). If significant deviations from this standard occur, SMM will consider whether to exclude individual samples based on trade volume. For forward payments or letter of credit payments, SMM will adjust based on prevailing interest rates to align with this standard. 2.2.4 Delivery Time Within 4 weeks. 2.2.5 Reference Transaction Volume Min 25 tonnes. 2.2.6 Delivery Location Major Ports in Korea. 2.2.7 Price Publication Time Weekly, last trading day of the week, by 1pm Seoul time. 2.2.8 Price Format The assessed price are presented as a range, indicating the lowest and highest prices. For example: 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, cif Korea, $/tonne range 3,000-4,000 $/tonne, average: 3,500 $/tonne. 2.2.9 Price Collection Method SMM will, in accordance with the price collection confirmation agreement, have price analysts regularly collect price information from copper foil industry price contacts via phone, QQ, WeChat, fax, and email. This price information includes concluded transaction prices, the enterprise's expected most likely pending transaction prices, etc. All instant messaging content, email communications, and any records of face-to-face communications will be archived details of phone communications will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting any forced or threatened communications from market participants, or any induced offers attempting to influence the assessment. Once published, SMM will not revise or adjust the price on the same day. 2.2.9.1 Assessment (Calculation) of Published Prices Step-1: The final dataset from the previous chapter, which exists as a processing fee range, is split into several lower limit values and several upper limit values for two different types of enterprise classifications in this methodology version: copper foil producers and downstream end-users. Arithmetic averages are calculated for both sets and rounded to the nearest whole number. Among these: - When both transaction information and offer/counteroffer information are present, the weight of transaction information is set at 60%, and offer/counteroffer information at 40%. - When transaction information, offer/counteroffer information, and other information are all present, the weight of transaction information is set at 50%, offer/counteroffer information at 40%, and other information at 10%. - When only offer/counteroffer information and other information are present, the weight of offer/counteroffer information is set at 90%, and other information at 10%. Step-2: The two price ranges derived from the previous step, which exist as processing fee states, are split into two lower limit values and two upper limit values. Weights are applied, and weighted averages are calculated, then rounded to the nearest whole number. In this methodology version, copper foil producers are weighted at 50%, and downstream enterprises at 50%. Step-3: The relevant calculation coefficients above will be adjusted every six months to ensure timeliness. 2.2.9.2 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, diversity exists in market transactions. The price of each transaction is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, brand of goods, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market offers, bids, and transaction information, aligning them with our standards. Each price datum will be electronically recorded or accompanied by written records. All electronic and paper records must be archived by price collection personnel and retained long-term (at least 5 years) in secure network and physical environments. For details, please refer to the SMM Data Retention Policy. 2.2.9.3 Price Assessment Process The specific process is as follows: 2.3 Methodology Changes All markets change, and SMM has a responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports evolves with the market. Therefore, SMM will regularly conduct internal reviews of the methodology's appropriateness based on industry feedback. For all substantive but non-urgent potential modifications, SMM will follow a formal external consultation process. Major changes will then be announced with a notice period of at least 28 days, inviting industry comments, unless special circumstances, particularly force majeure (natural disasters, war, exchange bankruptcy, etc.), necessitate a shorter notice period. SMM is committed to carefully considering all comments on proposed methodology changes, but in some cases, it may be necessary to proceed with changes contrary to the wishes of some market participants. Additionally, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to holding a formal consultation on the methodology every three years. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for the next consultation committed by SMM are located at the top of the methodology document. 2.4 Compliance with SMM Policies All relevant SMM employees must not only comply with the methodology published by SMM but also adhere to SMM's internal standards and policies. These include: SMM Conflict of Interest Policy, SMM Whistleblower Policy, SMM Error Correction Policy, SMM Methodology Review Consultation and Change Policy, SMM Complaints Policy, etc. Welcome more relevant enterprises in the industry chain to participate and support SMM in better serving related enterprises in the copper foil industry chain. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Metals Market Copper Research Team, Shanyu Jiang Contact: 021-20707916, +86 15615750662
PriceDec 23, 2025 15:001. SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne Methodology 1.1 General Principles of SMM Price Assessment Methodology SMM (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any substantive transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with buyers or sellers in transactions as a market observer or organizer, and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously formulates, reviews, and revises its methodologies through communication with industry insiders, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry. It attaches equal importance to normal transactions that meet the specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price data information deemed to be of poor reliability or non-representative from its price assessments. SMM publishes daily spot metal prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM prices. For each published SMM price, SMM has established a corresponding methodology (all of which are available for reference on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). The methodology specifies the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM prices, and SMM strictly adheres to these provisions when producing and releasing SMM prices. To align with the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM may make necessary revisions to its price assessment methodology. Such revisions will be announced on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn, 28 days prior to their formal implementation. For any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices or their methodology, please contact SMM customer service (contact information can be found on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). This document outlines the standards for establishing SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne. The purpose of SMM in developing this standard is to establish a transparent and verifiable mechanism for SMM price determination. The SMM Benchmark Management Committee also regularly reviews the methodology and its assessment and publication processes. This committee oversees SMM’s methodology and compilation process, ensuring that the prices or indices reflect, as accurately as possible, the objective conditions of the physical spot market for the relevant commodities. If the committee identifies any issues, it will promptly highlight them and propose external consultation and revisions to the current methodology or processes, thereby enhancing the quality of the prices or indices published by SMM. The committee may only propose modifications to the methodology and procedures used for future price or index assessments it cannot alter already published prices or indices. 2. Formation of SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne 2.1 Significance of the Price Assessment In recent years, with the implementation of domestic and overseas new energy vehicle policies and the rapid expansion of NEV production, copper foil used as the anode carrier in lithium-ion batteries has shown a surge in demand. The wave of new infrastructure represented by 5G, along with rapid developments in artificial intelligence, big data, and automotive electronics, has increasingly expanded the demand for copper foil in related electronic circuit industries. The copper foil industry is also moving towards higher precision, density, and reliability. With the rise and development of industry capacity, overseas markets such as the US increasingly require a fair and standardized operating environment. Copper foil processing fees have long been beneficial for enterprises to control risks and facilitate management, playing a crucial role in the industry's development. In view of this, SMM will officially launch weekly price assessments for 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne starting October 10, 2025. SMM price members will be able to simultaneously access historical prices at that time. 2.2 SMM 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne Price Assessment Methodology 2.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Given the wide variety of copper foil specifications, SMM uses the 8μm with the largest market share for copper foil premium assessments. The premium assessment adopts 8μm thickness product width: 700-1,000 mm product type: Power Battery with Ordinary Tensile Strength. 2.2.2 Price Terms The price is a VAT-excluded CIF price at major ports on the US east coast based on the premium over LME CSP, with a quotation period of M+0 (M being the month of shipment), quoted in US dollars per metric ton. 2.2.3 Payment Terms The price assessment reflects payment terms for cash transactions in the month of the transaction. Reference is made to major international payment methods (including D/P documents against payment, D/A documents against acceptance, T/T telegraphic transfer, etc.). If significant deviations from this standard occur, SMM will consider whether to exclude individual samples based on trade volume. For forward payments or letter of credit payments, SMM will adjust based on prevailing interest rates to align with this standard. 2.2.4 Delivery Time Within 2 months. 2.2.5 Reference Transaction Volume Min 25 tonnes. 2.2.6 Delivery Location Major Ports on the US East Coast. 2.2.7 Price Publication Time Weekly, by 1:00 US time. 2.2.8 Price Format The assessed price are presented as a range, indicating the lowest and highest prices. For example: 8μm Lithium Battery Copper Foil premium, CIF US, USD/tonne range 5,000-6,000 USD/tonne, average: 5,500 USD/tonne. 2.2.9 Price Collection Method SMM will, in accordance with the price collection confirmation agreement, have price analysts regularly collect price information from copper foil industry price contacts via phone, QQ, WeChat, fax, and email. This price information includes concluded transaction prices, the enterprise's expected most likely pending transaction prices, etc. All instant messaging content, email communications, and any records of face-to-face communications will be archived details of phone communications will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting any forced or threatened communications from market participants, or any induced offers attempting to influence the assessment. Once published, SMM will not revise or adjust the price on the same day. 2.2.9.1 Assessment (Calculation) of Published Prices Step-1: The final dataset from the previous chapter, which exists as a processing fee range, is split into several lower limit values and several upper limit values for two different types of enterprise classifications in this methodology version: copper foil producers and downstream end-users. Arithmetic averages are calculated for both sets and rounded to the nearest whole number. Among these: - When both transaction information and offer/counteroffer information are present, the weight of transaction information is set at 60%, and offer/counteroffer information at 40%. - When transaction information, offer/counteroffer information, and other information are all present, the weight of transaction information is set at 50%, offer/counteroffer information at 40%, and other information at 10%. - When only offer/counteroffer information and other information are present, the weight of offer/counteroffer information is set at 90%, and other information at 10%. Step-2: The two price ranges derived from the previous step, which exist as processing fee states, are split into two lower limit values and two upper limit values. Weights are applied, and weighted averages are calculated, then rounded to the nearest whole number. In this methodology version, copper foil producers are weighted at 60%, and downstream enterprises at 40%. Step-3: The relevant calculation coefficients above will be adjusted every six months to ensure timeliness. 2.2.9.2 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, diversity exists in market transactions. The price of each transaction is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, brand of goods, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market offers, bids, and transaction information, aligning them with our standards. Each price datum will be electronically recorded or accompanied by written records. All electronic and paper records must be archived by price collection personnel and retained long-term (at least 5 years) in secure network and physical environments. For details, please refer to the SMM Data Retention Policy. 2.2.9.3 Price Assessment Process The specific process is as follows: 2.3 Methodology Changes All markets change, and SMM has a responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports evolves with the market. Therefore, SMM will regularly conduct internal reviews of the methodology's appropriateness based on industry feedback. For all substantive but non-urgent potential modifications, SMM will follow a formal external consultation process. Major changes will then be announced with a notice period of at least 28 days, inviting industry comments, unless special circumstances, particularly force majeure (natural disasters, war, exchange bankruptcy, etc.), necessitate a shorter notice period. SMM is committed to carefully considering all comments on proposed methodology changes, but in some cases, it may be necessary to proceed with changes contrary to the wishes of some market participants. Additionally, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to holding a formal consultation on the methodology every three years. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for the next consultation committed by SMM are located at the top of the methodology document. 2.4 Compliance with SMM Policies All relevant SMM employees must not only comply with the methodology published by SMM but also adhere to SMM's internal standards and policies. These include: SMM Conflict of Interest Policy, SMM Whistleblower Policy, SMM Error Correction Policy, SMM Methodology Review Consultation and Change Policy, SMM Complaints Policy, etc. Welcome more relevant enterprises in the industry chain to participate and support SMM in better serving related enterprises in the copper foil industry chain. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Metals Market Copper Research Team, Shanyu Jiang Contact: 021-20707916, +86 15615750662
PriceSep 25, 2025 16:18