UK-based Eqonic Group has confirmed aluminum as the core material for its next-generation battery technology and is moving towards industrial validation and commercial production. The battery chemistry uses no lithium, sodium or rare earth materials, with material costs targeted at around 30% of conventional lithium-metal batteries. At scale, Eqonic aims to achieve manufacturing costs of around GBP 50/kWh (US$67/kWh). The company says its aluminum-based chemistry is non-flammable, reducing thermal runaway risks. Eqonic has also been selected for the UK government's GBP 452 million Battery Innovation Programme, supporting its progress towards industrial-scale manufacturing.

Recently, Gokin Solar joined hands with its Australian local partner OSW to successfully complete a roadshow in the Australian market, discussing market trends, cutting-edge technologies, and cooperation opportunities with local channel dealers, system integrators, and PV engineering practitioners. At the roadshow, Gokin showcased the iteration journey of its full-spectrum BC products. Driven by a record-setting innovation pace of four iterations per year, Gokin has completed the series upgrades from BC1.0 Standard, BC1.1 Classic, BC2.0 Full-Cell, to BC2.1 Full-Screen. As one of the only two enterprises worldwide to achieve mass production of BC full-screen modules, Gokin leverages hidden busbar technology to create an integrated all-black aesthetic design that balances efficient light absorption with Australian rooftop architectural aesthetics, suitable for diverse application scenarios including Australian residential, commercial, and industrial rooftops, which garnered attention from attending clients.

In Q2 2026, the solid‑state battery industry reached a critical policy and standards inflection point. China’s MIIT designated all‑solid‑state batteries as a key R&D priority, and the world’s first national standard for automotive solid‑state batteries (GB/T 43568‑2026) took effect on July 1.

【SMM Tungsten Express】Masan High-Tech Materials has signed a partnership with Korea's GB Innovation for tungsten concentrate processing. Masan will process and supply ammonium paratungstate products for the semiconductor industry to GB Innovation. The cooperation marks a direct connection between a Vietnamese company and Korea's high-tech industrial chain, carrying strategic significance amid the global semiconductor and rare metals supply chain restructuring.

UK precision aluminium sand casting specialist Grainger & Worrall has secured more than GBP 30 million (USD 38.4 million) in new orders during the first half of 2026, driven by demand from aerospace, defence and energy industries. The company is leveraging its expertise in complex aluminium sand casting to supply components for light aircraft engines, specialist vehicle transmissions and data centre applications. To offset weaker demand in its traditional automotive business, Grainger & Worrall launched a diversification strategy 18 months ago, which is now generating significant results. Following the strong order intake, the company approved a GBP 1 million investment programme and plans to recruit 30 additional employees across manufacturing, maintenance and quality departments. The company also intends to further invest in digital sand-printing, metallurgy and advanced engineering capabilities to strengthen its position in high-value aluminium casting markets.

The ex-China rare earth market this week exhibited a trend of "falling prices amid tight supply," with Pr-Nd oxide and metal prices generally marked down by approximately $5-10/kg. However, due to export controls and tightening supply, the premium on Chinese products outside China remained significant. Meanwhile, geopolitical rivalry and supply chain restructuring accelerated, with G7 finance ministers calling for urgent reduction of dependence on China and the establishment of recycling quota systems. On the capital front, Greenland Resources spent $35 million to acquire the high-grade Sarfartoq project to strengthen its magnetic material rare earth portfolio. Australia's Arafura officially finalised the final investment decision for the Nolans project. Combined with Brazil's launch of an antitrust investigation and Germany's Heraeus divesting its recycling business, these developments underscored the urgency of global decoupling and localization efforts.