Markets frequently mistake an industry's sudden breakout for its origin. China's long-duration energy storage (LDES, ≥4 hours) sector did not abruptly emerge in 2026. Following policy incubation (2023-2024) and initial scaling (2025), 2026 marks a definitive inflection point, driven by a validated, closed-loop business model and exponential growth in grid-connected capacity.

On February 26, 2026, the European Commission announced its final decision on the first anti-dumping sunset review of steel road wheels originating from China. If the current anti-dumping measures were to be lifted, the dumping of the products in question would continue or recur and cause injury to the EU industry. Therefore, it was decided to maintain the anti-dumping duties on the Chinese products: Xingmin Intelligent Transportation Systems Co., Ltd., Tangshan Xingmin Wheels Co., Ltd., Xianning Xingmin Wheels Co., Ltd., and other cooperating enterprises (see the annex to the original announcement for details) will all be subject to a rate of 50.3%, while other companies will face a rate of 66.4%. The measures took effect the day after the announcement. The EU CN (Combined Nomenclature) codes for the products under investigation are ex 8708 70 10, ex 8708 70 99, and ex 8716 90 90 (TARIC codes are 870870 10 80, 8708 70 10 85, 8708 70 99 20, 8708 70 99 80, 8716 90 90 95, and 8716 90 90 97). The period of the dumping investigation for this sunset review was from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and the period for the analysis of injury to the industry was from January 1, 2021, to the end of the dumping investigation period. The announcement took effect the day after its publication. On February 15, 2019, the European Commission initiated an anti-dumping investigation into steel road wheels originating from China. On March 4, 2020, the European Commission made its final determination on the anti-dumping investigation of steel road wheels from China. On March 3, 2025, the European Commission launched the first anti-dumping sunset review investigation into steel road wheels from China. (Compiled from: European Commission website) Original text: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202600428

[SMM Express] According to reports, following BMW's first adoption of the TURBU-DURCK die-casting process for mass-producing aluminum alloy wheels on the M5 model in 2025, Mercedes-Benz also introduced the TURBUDRUCK die-casting technology for mass-producing aluminum alloy wheels on its new S-Class model launched on January 29, 2026. Relying on an AI-supported software solution for autonomous regulation and using 100% recycled materials, the technology can produce popular and high-end wheel hubs under 24 inches. Through an economical dual-plate mold solution and die-casting machines with a clamping force ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 metric tons, the production of aluminum and magnesium alloy wheel hubs can be achieved.

【SMM Aluminium Flash News】According to foreign media reports, Vedanta has announced an investment of over 125 billion rupees to strengthen its metal manufacturing capabilities. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen the domestic supply of key materials necessary for electric vehicle production, meet the needs of India's rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) industry, and contribute to India's vision of sustainable and clean mobility. The investment involves projects such as expanding aluminum smelting operations, increasing the value-added of aluminum products, building a new zinc alloy plant, installing a zinc roaster, and expanding ferrochrome production capacity. Each initiative is designed to meet the specific material needs of electric vehicle manufacturers. Vedanta supplies key casting alloys for wheels, engine blocks, and cylinder heads, and also produces aluminum billets for battery housings, HVAC systems, and vehicle frames.

The M7 DMH is expected to hit the market in the second half of this year.

SMM June 18 News: Today, spot primary aluminum prices surged significantly by 280 yuan/mt compared to the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminum ingot prices closed at 20,900 yuan/mt, while the aluminum scrap market struggled to catch up with the price increase. As the off-season in June progresses beyond the halfway mark, downstream scrap utilization enterprises are experiencing weak order releases, with procurement primarily driven by immediate needs. Today, the centralized quoted prices for baled UBC aluminum scrap range from 15,400 to 15,900 yuan/mt (tax not included), while shredded aluminum tense scrap is quoted at 16,000 to 17,500 yuan/mt (tax not included). Regionally, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, and other regions closely track aluminum prices, with price adjustments ranging from 200 to 250 yuan/mt. In contrast, Jiangxi, Hubei, Henan, Foshan, and other regions lag behind aluminum price adjustments, with price adjustments ranging from 100 to 150 yuan/mt. By product, baled UBC aluminum scrap prices continued to rise by 50 yuan/mt today, while shredded aluminum tense scrap prices increased by 100 yuan/mt compared to yesterday. Prices for wheel hubs removed from vehicle and scrap motorcycle wheels rose by 100 to 200 yuan/mt compared to yesterday. In terms of price differences between A00 aluminum and aluminum scrap, the price difference between A00 aluminum and mechanical casting aluminum scrap in Shanghai expanded by 8 yuan/mt to 1,858 yuan/mt compared to yesterday, while the price difference between A00 aluminum and mixed aluminum extrusion scrap free of paint in Foshan increased by 211 yuan/mt to 1,718 yuan/mt compared to yesterday. Considering the difficulty in actual shipments, aluminum scrap suppliers are adopting a cautious wait-and-see attitude towards price adjustments amidst rising aluminum prices. It is expected that the aluminum scrap market will continue to fluctuate at highs. The tight supply situation for aluminum tense scrap is unlikely to change, providing solid price support. Wrought aluminum alloy scrap will continue to fluctuate rangebound with primary aluminum, but the risk of a high-level correction in primary aluminum prices, combined with weak demand during the off-season, may suppress upside room. The operating rate of downstream secondary aluminum enterprises may remain low, with a difficult balance between costs and orders. Additionally, after the listing of cast aluminum alloy futures, arbitrage activities may temporarily boost market activity, potentially increasing the price sensitivity of aluminum scrap as a core raw material. Short-term volatility risks should be monitored. 》Subscribe to view historical SMM metal spot prices