[SMM Magnesium Survey: Japan Achieves Breakthrough in Magnesium Battery Technology, Romania Launches Low-Carbon Magnesium Project] Tohoku University in Japan developed a magnesium-tin alloy anode, boosting the cycle life of solid-state magnesium batteries by over 400 times and overturning the traditional concept of interfacial reaction suppression. Romania's Verde Magnesium launched an EU strategic flagship project, adopting a low-carbon aluminothermic smelting process, and plans to build a 30,000 mt/year smelter by 2030, filling the 25-year gap in primary magnesium production in Europe and creating a near-zero-carbon magnesium supply chain.

[SMM Magnesium Express] A Tohoku University research team found that guiding, rather than suppressing, interfacial reactions in solid-state magnesium batteries can significantly enhance performance. By adding tin to form a stable Mg₂Sn phase, the optimized Mg-Sn alloy anode demonstrated stable operation for over 1,300 hours, achieving more than 400 times longer cycling life than pure magnesium. This opens a new direction for magnesium battery materials design.

To further strengthen its market coverage and customer service capabilities in Latin America, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is pleased to announce the appointment of external consultant Mr. Marcio Goto, a senior mining engineer and mining economics expert, as Regional Manager for Latin America.

[Elevra and Mangrove Lithium Sign Non-Binding MOU for Spodumene Concentrates Offtake] North American lithium producer Elevra Lithium Limited ("Elevra") is pleased to announce the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding to supply spodumene concentrates produced by NAL to Mangrove Lithium ("Mangrove"). Elevra and Mangrove may enter into a binding definitive agreement in the future, subject to Mangrove reaching a final investment decision on the construction of its lithium conversion facility by June 2027 and the parties agreeing on the final terms of the agreement. Under the terms of the non-binding MOU, Elevra and Mangrove intend to negotiate a definitive agreement whereby Elevra would supply Mangrove with up to 144,000 mt of spodumene concentrates annually at market-related prices, with floor and ceiling prices, ensuring NAL generates positive cash flow at any stage of the pricing cycle. The proposed supply has an initial term of five years, commencing in 2028, and is expected to ramp up to the full annual volume of 144,000 mt by 2030, representing approximately 46% of projected sales. Mangrove plans to process the spodumene concentrates into battery-grade lithium hydroxide in Eastern Canada to support the establishment of a resilient domestic battery supply chain in Canada. Mangrove's designed annual capacity is 20,000 mt of battery-grade lithium, equivalent to the demand for 500,000 EVs. Source: https://news.smm.cn/ [Albemarle Announces Idling of Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant on February 11 Local Time] Albemarle decided to immediately idle and place into a state of care and maintenance the operational Train 1 production line at its Kemerton plant in Western Australia. This represents a further contraction following the idling of Train 2 in 2024 and the halting of the Train 3 and 4 expansion projects. Although lithium prices have recovered recently, the levels are not enough to support the cost pressures associated with hard-rock lithium conversion operations in the West. This move aims to improve financial flexibility and preserve future options. It is expected to have an accretive effect on adjusted EBITDA starting from Q2 2026, without affecting the sales target for the year, as customer demand will be met through other channels. Albemarle emphasized that its upstream lithium mine interests and exploration rights in Australia, such as Greenbushes and Wodgina, remain unaffected and are still a strategic core. Source: https://www.albemarle.com [Ultra-Thin, Compact Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery "EnerCera" Supports Tohoku University's Tsunami Balloon Project Demonstration Experiment] NGK Insulators, Ltd. (hereinafter "NGK") announced that it supported the demonstration experiment for Tohoku University's tsunami balloon project by manufacturing and supplying its ultra-thin, compact lithium-ion rechargeable battery, EnerCera®. The project aims to establish a new disaster prevention system that automatically deploys balloon-type evacuation markers during tsunamis, visually indicating the locations of tsunami evacuation facilities, such as evacuation towers and evacuation buildings, from the air. EnerCera powers the light sources installed in the balloons, making the evacuation sites clearly visible at night or under poor visibility conditions. In the demonstration experiment, EnerCera was used as the power source for the balloon-type evacuation marker lighting unit, which activated immediately after a tsunami. The experiment verified whether sufficient brightness was achieved when the balloons were deployed and whether the system met practical usage requirements. EnerCera combines a thin and lightweight design with high output and excellent environmental resistance, enabling stable operation in outdoor environments. By enabling wireless lighting control, the system is expected to enhance the visibility of tsunami evacuation facilities at night and help prevent evacuation delays. The Tsunami Balloon Project is an initiative led by a technical team from Tohoku University, aiming to develop a system that automatically releases balloons into the air upon receiving disaster information, such as tsunami warnings and emergency earthquake alerts, issued via the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System "Michibiki". In the demonstration experiment, a series of operational tests were conducted: upon receiving a tsunami warning (test signal), gas was rapidly injected into the balloon, inflating it to a diameter of approximately 2 meters and raising it to a height of about 40 meters within approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The balloon is marked with a person pictogram, allowing people to identify the evacuation facility simply by looking up at the sky. To improve nighttime visibility, EnerCera was integrated as the light source. Source: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/ ["Sacrifice Zone" or a Clean Energy Future? EU Court Considers Portuguese Lithium Mine Project] The risks in this case escalated further after EU officials refused in November to revoke the "strategic" status of the Barroso mine. A long-standing controversy over lithium mining in northern Portugal has reached the European Union's highest court. Environmental and community organizations have filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice against the European Commission's decision to grant the Barroso lithium project "strategic" status. The residents' association "United Defense Association of the Barroso Valley" and the environmental law organization ClientEarth raised objections on Thursday, February 5, arguing that the Commission failed to reassess the project after new evidence emerged regarding environmental, social, and safety risks. The core dispute in this case revolves around the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act of 2024. Projects designated as "strategic" gain fast-track access to permitting processes, financing channels, and the supply of raw materials for green products such as EVs and batteries. Source: https://www.euronews.com/ [How Argentina's Lithium and Uranium Boom Could Undermine Its Energy Sovereignty] Argentina possesses abundant critical natural resources, the demand for which is increasingly growing as the global energy transition continues to accelerate. However, although Argentina's potential geopolitical advantages have opened new avenues for economic growth, as world superpowers fiercely compete for the country's lithium and uranium resources, this may also entail significant trade-offs in energy sovereignty. The Argentine economy has finally seen a rebound after decades of painful recession. This shift is largely attributed to the radical austerity policies implemented by the right-wing President Javier Milei, elected in 2023. While Milei's aggressive financial reforms have had some positive effects on the economy, his approach has been highly controversial both domestically and internationally. Part of Milei's strategy involves forming a close alliance with the Trump administration. As part of this shift, he has shown a new willingness to cooperate with the US and other international partners in new nuclear energy plans. Milei declared his country an "unconditional ally of the US," with Argentina becoming the first partner country to sign the Trump administration's "Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technologies" initiative. Source: https://oilprice.com/

[SMM Survey: Magnesium Technology Continues to Advance, Magnesium Era Begins in ESS and Materials Fields] Recent multidimensional progress has been made in the global magnesium technology sector: Tohoku University in Japan has developed a new-type rechargeable magnesium battery prototype capable of stable operation at room temperature, overcoming magnesium ion migration challenges through an amorphous oxide cathode design, with stable cycling performance and practical power supply capability, offering potential to replace lithium batteries; Australian enterprise Latrobe Magnesium has successfully raised tens of millions of Australian dollars to advance the construction of the world's first demonstration plant for commercial magnesium extraction from fly ash, converting brown coal scrap into magnesium metal and cementitious materials, achieving a circular economy and expected to commence operation in 2026; simultaneously, BOLE Company has challenged the inherent perception of magnesium alloys as "highly flammable" through empirical testing, demonstrating their controllable combustion characteristics, and will showcase lightweight magnesium alloy forming technology at international exhibitions, promoting innovation in material applications. These breakthroughs collectively highlight magnesium's significant potential in ESS, environmental protection, and lightweight fields.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Japan's Tohoku University develops rechargeable Mg battery prototype with novel amorphous oxide cathode, enabling stable Mg-ion migration at room temperature. The battery maintains performance over 200 cycles & powers LED, offering a sustainable alternative to lithium.