1. Unlisted Rare Earth Oxides: July Imports Up 30% MoM, Cumulative Imports Maintain Double-Digit Growth In July 2026, China's imports of unlisted rare earth oxides stood at 4,591 tonnes , up 30% MoM from 3,518 tonnes in June and 27% YoY from 3,626 tonnes in the same period last year. On a cumulative basis, imports in January-July 2026 totaled 37,375 tonnes , up 15% from 32,519 tonnes in the same period of 2025. From a historical perspective, imports of unlisted rare earth oxides totaled 56,107 tonnes in full-year 2025 and 48,869 tonnes in 2024. Since the beginning of 2026, monthly import volumes have shown an overall upward trend with fluctuations, with relatively high import volumes in March, April and June, and July continuing this momentum. 2. Mixed Carbonate Rare Earth: July Imports Surge 189% MoM, YoY Growth Exceeds 150% Compared with unlisted rare earth oxides, the import growth of mixed carbonate rare earth was even more remarkable. In July 2026, China's imports of mixed carbonate rare earth reached 1,533 tonnes , surging 189% MoM from 530 tonnes in June and up 156% YoY from 599 tonnes in the same period last year. On a cumulative basis, imports in January-July 2026 totaled 8,692 tonnes , up 50% from 5,795 tonnes in the same period of 2025. Notably, full-year imports of mixed carbonate rare earth stood at 9,260 tonnes in 2025, while the January-July volume in 2026 has already reached nearly 94% of last year's full-year level, suggesting full-year imports are likely to hit a multi-year high. 3. Market Interpretation The sustained growth in imports of unlisted rare earth oxides and mixed carbonate rare earth reflects persistently strong demand for upstream raw materials among domestic rare earth smelting and separation enterprises. Mixed carbonate rare earth, as an important feedstock for rare earth smelting, saw July imports surge 189% MoM, which may be related to advance stockpiling by some domestic smelters and shifts in overseas supply schedules. Looking at the full-year trend, cumulative imports of both products grew in January-July 2026, with mixed carbonate rare earth up as much as 50%. This indicates that China's rare earth industry chain is becoming increasingly dependent on overseas raw materials, possibly linked to factors such as the pace of domestic rare earth mining quota expansion and environmental policy constraints. 4. Outlook Looking ahead, as global demand for rare earth permanent magnet materials continues to grow across new energy, electric vehicles and wind power sectors, domestic demand for upstream rare earth oxide and carbonate raw materials is expected to remain firm. Imports of unlisted rare earth oxides and mixed carbonate rare earth are likely to stay at elevated levels. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to potential impacts from changes in overseas rare earth supply patterns, adjustments to domestic rare earth mining quotas and the international trade environment. It is recommended to closely monitor import data for August and September to gauge whether the pace of rare earth raw material imports will adjust in the second half of the year.

NALCO is expanding beyond aluminium production by developing technologies to recover critical minerals and value-added products from industrial waste.

On August 18, its battery factory in Lansing, Michigan, US, covering 226 acres, officially commenced production. It is reported that LG Energy Solution's Lansing plant produces large-format batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles. After full ramp-up, the plant’s annual capacity target exceeds 35 GWh. The plant produces LFP battery cells for ESS. These cells are integrated into complete systems by LG Energy Solution's US energy storage division, Vertech, for utility, grid-scale energy storage, and other commercial and industrial applications. LG Energy Solution's Lansing plant will also produce higher energy density nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) cells for Toyota. These cells will be used in battery electric vehicles such as the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, which will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky, thereby strengthening the automaker's US supply chain for next-generation models. Notably, with the commencement of the Lansing plant, LG Energy Solution now operates two plants in Michigan, located in Holland and Lansing, respectively. Since 2010, the company's total investment in Michigan has exceeded $5 billion. In addition to its manufacturing plants in Holland and Lansing, the company also has its North America regional headquarters and R&D center in Troy. By the end of 2026, LG Energy Solution's total headcount in Michigan will exceed 3,300, making the company one of the top 50 employers in the state. Additionally, from the perspective of its North American ESS deployment plan, LG Energy Solution plans to achieve over 50 GW in North America by the end of 2026

On August 18, LG Energy Solution announced that its new battery factory in Lansing, Michigan, USA, has officially started production. The project represents a total investment of over $2 billion and will produce both energy storage and automotive power batteries, further expanding the company's local battery supply capabilities in North America. The factory spans 226 acres and, at full production capacity, will have an annual battery output exceeding 35 GWh. The products are divided into two main tracks: one track produces lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells for grid-scale and commercial & industrial energy storage applications. These cells will be integrated into complete energy storage systems by LG Energy Solution's US energy storage division, Vertech, with Detroit-based energy company DTE Energy becoming a downstream customer for the factory's energy storage batteries. The other track produces high-energy-density nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries exclusively for Toyota, which will be used in the 2027 Toyota Highlander all-electric model, supporting Toyota's electric vehicle supply chain development in the United States.

LG Energy Solution announced on August 18 that it held an opening ceremony for its Michigan Lansing plant. The plant will operate as a mixed manufacturing hub producing both LFP batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) and ternary batteries for electric vehicles. It is expected to secure total annual battery cell production capacity of more than 35 GWh.

SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar PV, Smart Energy & Energy Storage & Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition SNEC 20th (2027) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition 2027 Year 6 Month 2-4 Day National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai, No. 333 Light, Storage, and Hydrogen Multi-Energy Complementarity and Integrated Development Pre face: The “SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar PV, Smart Energy & Energy Storage & Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” (referred to as “SNEC PV Conference & (Shanghai) Exhibition”) will be grandly held in Shanghai, China on June 2-4, 2027. From the 15,000 m² of the first edition in 2007 to over 360,000 m² in 2026, over 2,800 enterprises from 95 countries and regions worldwide participated, with international exhibitors accounting for 30%, and it has become the most influential, international, professional, and large-scale PV event in China, Asia, and globally. The SNEC PV exhibition is the world’s most professional PV exhibition, with exhibits including: PV production equipment, materials, PV cells, PV application products and modules, as well as PV engineering and systems, energy storage, mobile energy, etc., covering every link of the PV industry chain. The SNEC PV forum also features diverse formats, covering future market trend analysis for the PV industry, cooperation and development strategies, policy directions in various countries, cutting-edge industry technologies, PV finance, etc., offering the best opportunity to showcase achievements to the industry. Global industry peers are expected to gather in Shanghai, China, to take the pulse of the solar PV markets in China, Asia, and the world from an industrial perspective and with a problem-oriented approach, jointly leading the path of innovative development in the industry. We hope to meet in Shanghai in June 2026! Schedule: Exhibition Setup: May 30, 2027, 13:30-18:00; May 31 & June 1, 2027, 9:00-20:00 Exhibition: June 2-3, 2027, 09:00-17:00; June 4, 09:00-14:00 Dismantling: June 4, 2027, 14:00-24:00 Exhibits (Category): Solar PV PV Production Equipment: Silicon rod, silicon lumps, and silicon ingot production equipment: complete production lines, casting ingot furnaces, crucibles, growth furnaces, and other related equipment Silicon wafer production equipment: complete production lines, cutting equipment, cleaning equipment, detection equipment, and other related equipment Battery Production Equipment: Complete production lines, etching equipment, cleaning equipment, diffusion furnaces, coating equipment/deposition furnaces, screen printing machines, other furnace equipment, testers and sorters, and other related equipment Panel/Module Production Equipment: Complete production lines, testing equipment, glass cleaning equipment, wiring/welding equipment, lamination equipment, etc. Thin-film Panel Production Equipment: Amorphous silicon cells, Copper Indium Gallium Selenium cells (CIS/CIGS), Cadmium Telluride thin-film cells (CdTe), Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) production technology and research equipment PV Cells: PV cell producers, module producers, module installers, agents, dealers and distributors, concentrator cells, etc. PV-related Parts: Batteries, chargers, controllers, converters, recorders, inverters, monitors, mounting systems, tracking systems, solar cables, etc. PV Raw Materials: Polysilicon, silicon ingots/lumps, silicon wafers, encapsulation glass, encapsulation films, and other raw materials PV Application Products: Lighting products, power supply systems, portable chargers, water pumps, solar household products, and other solar products PV Engineering and Systems: PV system integration, solar air conditioning systems, rural PV power generation systems, solar detection and control systems, solar heating system engineering, solar PV project process control and project management and software development systems System Construction Equipment and Safety Protection: Electrical construction equipment, construction vehicles, engineering machinery, maintenance and repair tools, aerial work vehicles/platforms, scaffolding, electrical safety tools, and personal protective equipment Others Solar & Green Building: Solar Thermal Utilization: Solar central hot water systems, household solar water heaters, solar heat pump water heaters, solar thermal collection systems, solar heating systems, solar-thermal and photovoltaic integrated solar products, solar water heater manufacturing equipment, and raw materials and parts for solar water heaters Solar PV and CSP Generation: Grid-connected PV power generation systems, off-grid PV power generation systems, PV-wind hybrid power generation systems, PV transmission and distribution equipment, PV modules and components and equipment, parabolic trough systems, tower systems, dish systems, heat collection tubes, thermal storage equipment and corresponding materials, heat exchange technology and products, high-temperature heat transfer technology and products, and system control Solar Cooling Systems and Equipment: Solar cooling products and systems, air energy products, solar central air conditioning, and ground source heat pump air conditioning Solar Lighting and Building Materials: Solar lawn lights, garden lights, solar street lights and other photoelectric products, solar PV glass, solar roof modules, integrated solar building PV solutions, etc. LED Technology and Products: LED lighting, LED application products, display products/digital signage, parts, modules, kits, etc. Solar Accessories: Solar complementary automatic control devices and instruments, solar pipes and fittings, solar control systems, solar heat pipes, evacuated tube collectors, flat plate collectors, manifold headers, insulation materials, hot and cold water pumps, mounting brackets, PV equipment accessories, batteries, and related production equipment and accessory materials International Energy Storage Technology & Smart Grid Energy Storage Technologies, Equipment and Materials: Compressed air energy storage, pumped hydro storage, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheel energy storage, heat/cold storage, hydrogen storage and other energy storage technologies, equipment and materials applicable to plug-in EVs; various batteries (nickel–metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, lead-acid batteries, smart batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries), energy storage power supplies, supercapacitors, regenerative fuel cells, flow batteries, etc. technologies, equipment and materials Energy Storage Power Stations and EPC Projects: BMS battery management systems, PCS energy storage inverters, microgrids, EV charging and battery swapping stations and related supporting facilities C. New Energy Grid Connection & Smart Transmission and Distribution: Grid-tie inverters, light-duty DC equipment, operation monitoring devices, grid connection control systems, flexible transmission equipment, UHV transmission equipment, high-temperature superconducting equipment, high-temperature superconducting cables, distribution automation systems and protection devices, intelligent switchgear, transformers, instrument transformers, intelligent components, digital substations, substation integrated automation, distribution automation devices, online monitoring of transmission and distribution, fault diagnosis and self-healing devices, power quality monitoring, harmonic control and reactive power compensation, superconducting electrical technology, various new-type wires and cables, composite materials, and safety protection D. Power Grid Dispatching and Automation Control: Smart grid dispatching systems, comprehensive dispatching data platform systems, power grid security and control, intelligent inspection systems, integrated measurement and control protection and arc suppression coil selection systems, safety and stability control system solutions, power monitoring systems and microprocessor-based relay protection, wide-area dynamic monitoring systems, online stability monitoring systems for power grids, intelligent reactive power compensation devices for distribution networks, control software, remote control and telemetry devices, large-screen display systems, and power system simulation E. Smart Metering and Power Consumption Management: Smart meters and chips, remote/centralized meter reading systems, power consumption information collection systems, power management information systems, load management terminals, monitoring systems, testing devices, metering cabinets and components, measuring instruments, sensors, and semiconductors F. Smart Grid Information and Communication: IoT technology, cloud computing technology, multi-network convergence technology, transmission technology and equipment, access equipment, optical fiber cables, industrial Ethernet, data communication and network technology and related products, in-plant communication equipment, power line carrier machines, supporting equipment and instruments, digital microwave communication equipment, test equipment and instruments, and online network monitoring equipment G. Others International New Energy Vehicles and Charging Piles NEVs (Passenger Vehicles / Commercial Vehicles): Electric buses and trucks, electric sedans, electric sightseeing cars, electric golf carts, electric cleaning vehicles, hybrid buses and sedans, solar-powered electric vehicles, light-duty electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles (micro-hybrid, mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid), pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen/natural gas and other new energy clean fuels, hybrid vehicles and various low-emission, environmentally friendly and energy-saving vehicles; Powertrain Systems: Power batteries, battery management systems, fuel cells, hybrid systems, drive motors, electric control systems, engines, testing and repair equipment, related testing, monitoring, and protection instruments, and related technologies; C. Key NEV Components: Power capacitors, supercapacitors, flywheels, inverters, electric heat pumps, electric power steering, electric air conditioning, tires, wire connections, electromagnetic technology, and related materials; coatings, gearboxes, filters, carburetors, exhaust systems; axles, steering, braking, and suspension systems; auto body accessories; motor and electrical appliances, electronic components, electrical systems, circuits, wheel hubs, tires, etc.; D. Automotive Design: Vehicle design, system control design, etc. E. Charging Facilities: Charging stations, charging piles; smart network project planning and achievement display of charging stations, expansion of gas stations into charging (battery swapping) stations, integrated gas and charging service station displays, solar and wind energy complementary NEV charging station technology products, charging station power distribution equipment, chargers, power monitoring systems, active filters, transformers, distribution cabinets, cables, direct charging equipment, management auxiliary equipment, charging and swapping batteries and battery management systems, parking lot charging facilities, intelligent monitoring, and charging station power supply solutions F. Others Exhibition Fees: Standard Booth (Premium, 3m x 3m ): Domestic enterprises: RMB 23,800/unit Foreign-funded enterprises: US$4,900/unit Basic configuration: one information desk, two folding chairs, one wastebasket, one 220V/500W power socket, two spotlights, Chinese and English header board, carpeted inside the booth. Indoor Bare Space (minimum 36 m² rental): Domestic enterprises: RMB 2,380/m ² Foreign-funded enterprises: US$490/m ² Exhibition Notice: 1. Enterprises intending to exhibit should fill out the exhibition application form, stamp it with the official seal, and fax or mail it to the conference organizing committee; 2. Upon receipt of the booth reservation fee, the organizing committee will arrange booths for exhibitors according to the principle of "first application, first payment, first arrangement"; 3. Payment details for exhibition fees: (1) The above exhibition fees do not include "construction deposit", "construction management fee", "facility rental fee" and other expenses; (2) Exhibitors who sign contracts shall remit the deposit to the organizing committee's account within ten working days from the date of signing the contract, and fax the remittance voucher to the organizing committee for verification; (3) The remaining exhibition fees should be remitted to the account designated by the organizing committee before December 31, 2026; 4. The order of advertisements in the conference booklet will be based on the order of receiving the advertisement fees, and the inclusion deadline is March 31, 2027; 5. The organizing committee will send the Exhibitor Manual to exhibiting enterprises in April 2027. Inquiry Welcome: Shanghai Fulemi Technology Co., Ltd. SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy & Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition Contact: Manager Wei Tel: +86-13817218765 (same as WeChat) E-mail: weiwei@snec.org.cn