SMM Analysis: In 2025, China's smelting and refining capacity grew, while the TC for copper concentrates continued to deteriorate. Against this backdrop, smelters were compelled to adjust their raw material mix, with copper scrap, blister copper, and anode plates becoming key substitutes and supplements...

The market quotation for praseodymium-neodymium oxide is in the range of 880,000 - 890,000 yuan/tonne, representing an increase of approximately 35,000 yuan/tonne compared to pre-holiday levels, a rise exceeding 4.12%. This marks a staggering 98% increase year-on-year. The quotation for praseodymium-neodymium metal stands at 1.07 - 1.08 million yuan/tonne, up by 50,000 yuan/tonne (4.88%) from pre-holiday prices, also reflecting a 95% year-on-year increase.

[smm cast aluminum alloy morning comment: post-holiday aluminum price rebound, alloy enterprises still feel the holiday vibe] after the chinese new year holiday, the secondary aluminum alloy market will gradually shift from the pre-holiday state of "weak supply and demand, stable prices" to a phase of resuming production and recovering demand. since the shutdown period for secondary aluminum plants this year was slightly longer than last year, most enterprises resumed operations between the eighth and fifteenth day of the first lunar month. the pace of supply release in the first week after the holiday is expected to be slow, providing some support to prices; however, the recovery on the demand side is likely to be more gradual, with downstream purchases remaining cautious and need-based until terminal orders show a significant increase. the cost side requires continuous attention to fluctuations in the prices of aluminum scrap, copper, silicon, and other auxiliary materials, as the trend of primary aluminum remains a key variable influencing market sentiment and the price center. overall, in the early post-holiday period, the adc12 price is likely to continue the sideways movement pattern seen before the holiday. the subsequent direction will depend on the match between supply and demand after full production resumptions and the performance of primary aluminum prices. if there is a restocking phase combined with a strong run of primary aluminum, there is room for price recovery; otherwise, prices may face slight pressure but will generally remain in a sideways movement.

On March 17, Yantai Zhenghai Magnetic Material Co. (300224) announced that the company and Beijing University of Science and Technology intend to sign the Zhenghai Magnetic Materials-Beijing University of Science and Technology Frontier Materials Joint Research Centre Co-construction Agreement.

As a critical material in fields such as aerospace, integrated circuits, and high-speed rail transportation, high-end copper alloys have an increasingly prominent strategic position. Despite China's copper semis production and consumption ranking first globally for consecutive years, with a self-sufficiency rate of general copper semis reaching as high as 96%, the country still heavily relies on imports for high-end copper alloy products. To address this "chokehold" challenge, SMM recently launched an initiative for industrial resource integration, collaborating with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain, as well as research institutions, to meticulously produce the "2026 China Copper Alloy Materials Sourcing Guide" , aiming to advance the localisation process of high-end copper alloy materials and facilitate the transition from being a "major material producer" to a "leading material powerhouse." This time, CNMC Zhengrui (Shandong) Copper Industry Co., Ltd. actively participated in the joint production of the sourcing guide as a partner, jointly promoting the healthy and rapid upgrading of China's copper alloy materials industry chain. CNMC Zhengrui (Shandong) Copper Industry Co., Ltd. , affiliated with China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd., is the only enterprise in China with full-chain production capabilities, including processing of base materials for copper foil, high-precision copper foil rolling, surface anti-oxidation, reddening, and blackening treatments. It is the largest high-precision copper alloy plate, strip, and high-precision rolled copper foil production site in Shandong Province, renowned domestically, and welcomes cooperation discussions. Main Products: Copper and copper alloy plates, strips, and sheets (red copper, cupronickel, brass, iron bronze, copper-nickel-silicon, copper-nickel-tin, etc.); Copper and copper alloy rolled foil materials (high-flexibility copper foil, blackened foil, reddened foil, anti-oxidation bare foil, alloy foil, etc.) Contact Information Gao Ming Director of Sales Department 138 6954 2345 Click here to receive a free copy of the "2026 China Copper Alloy Materials Sourcing Guide" SMM Contact Person Zhang Wencheng 187 6645 7954 zhangwencheng@smm.cn

Polaris ESS Network learned that on May 22, the shortlisted candidates for the Ningxia Zhongwei Xinhua 200MW/400MWh energy storage project were announced. The first shortlisted candidate is China Construction Third Engineering Installation Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 412 million yuan, equivalent to a unit price of 1.030 yuan/Wh. The second shortlisted candidate is Guangxi Construction Engineering Group First Installation Engineering Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 407.46 million yuan, equivalent to a unit price of 1.019 yuan/Wh. The third shortlisted candidate is Wanbang Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd., with a bid price of 394.62 million yuan, equivalent to a unit price of 0.987 yuan/Wh. The bid inviter for the project is Zhongwei Xinhua Technology Co., Ltd. The project plans to construct a 200MW/400MWh ESS power station in the Ningxia Industrial Park, Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, adjacent to the Saishang 330kV substation of the Ningxia power grid. The energy storage system is proposed to be connected to the Ningxia power grid at the 110kV voltage level, specifically to the Saishang 330kV substation, utilizing the spare bay of the 110kV side busbar. The planned project duration is 4 months. Construction is expected to commence on May 28, 2025, and is scheduled for completion on September 27, 2025. The scope of the tender includes all survey and design work from preliminary design to the overall completion acceptance of the ESS power station; equipment procurement and supervision; civil engineering and installation works; commissioning; trial operation; handover production acceptance, completion acceptance, and external line engineering; as well as related services during the overall system warranty period (including procurement and supply of all spare parts and special tools within the warranty period, and the provision of relevant technical documentation).