1. Procurement Conditions The purchaser of this procurement project for cold-rolled steel strip for cored wire (AGZYFZHGXHD260325276365) was Ansteel Group Zhongyuan Industrial Development Co., Ltd. The funds for the procurement project came from self-raised sources. The project had met the procurement conditions, and an open inquiry and comparison was now conducted. 2. Project Overview and Procurement Scope 2.1 Project Name: Cold-Rolled Steel Strip for Cored Wire 2.2 Alternative Procurement Method in Case of Procurement Failure: Negotiated Procurement 2.3 For the content, scope, and scale of this project procurement, please refer to the attachment "Material List Attachment.pdf" for details. 3. Bidder Qualification Requirements 3.1 Consortium bidding was not permitted in this procurement. 3.2 This procurement required bidders to meet the following qualification requirements: See the attachment for details (if necessary) 3.3 This procurement required bidders to meet the following registered capital requirement: Registered capital: RMB 200,000 and above 3.4 This procurement required bidders to meet the following performance requirements: At least one steel strip sales contract within the past three years and the corresponding VAT invoice had to be provided. 3.5 This procurement required bidders to meet the following capability requirements, financial requirements, and other requirements: Financial requirements: See the attachment for details (if necessary) Capability requirements: See the attachment for details (if necessary) Other requirements: See the attachment for details (if necessary) 3.6 For projects that must be tendered in accordance with the law, bids submitted by dishonest persons subject to enforcement were invalid. 4. Acquisition of Procurement Documents 4.1 Any interested bidder should log in to the Ansteel Smart Tendering and Bidding Platform at http://bid.ansteel.cn to download the electronic procurement documents from 17:00 on March 26, 2026 to 13:00 on April 3, 2026 (Beijing time, the same hereinafter). Click to View Tender Details:
Mar 27, 2026 09:59Faced with a severe energy supply crunch and skyrocketing prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, the Philippine Department of Energy has authorized the temporary use of "dirtier" Euro-II petroleum products, which contain ten times more sulfur than the current Euro-IV standard, specifically for older vehicles, industrial plants, and the shipping sector. This emergency measure follows diesel prices breaching 100 pesos per liter for the first time, a crisis exacerbated by the country's limited refining capacity and the 1998 Oil Deregulation Law. As the region grapples with the obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz, the Philippines joins neighbors like Vietnam and Thailand in pivoting back to high-emission fuels and coal to ensure domestic energy security amidst the global turmoil.
Mar 24, 2026 12:52[SMM Tin Morning Briefing: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Opened Sharply Higher in the Night Session and Then Rebounded in Volatile Trading, While the Spot Market Will Gradually Cool Down]
Mar 24, 2026 08:42Morocco has published the implementing decree for 'Law 82-21', officially enabling renewable energy self-consumption and surplus sales starting June 9, 2026. PV owners can now inject up to 20% of their annual production into the grid, earning up to MAD 0.21/kWh. To manage grid stability, the government capped total available capacity at 3,886 MW (72% solar). Research suggests this regulatory milestone could help unlock a 28.6 GW distributed solar market to support the country's broader low-carbon transition and future EV charging needs.
Mar 23, 2026 09:00Nickel Ore " Sluggish RKAB Approvals Drive Potential for Ore Price Hikes" Indonesian domestic nickel ore prices have risen significantly increase this week. For the first half of March, the Indonesian Nickel Ore Benchmark Price (HPM) was set at $17.329/dmt, an increase of 1.32%. However, according to SMM data, average premiums has increased for 1.4%, 1.5%, and 1.6% grade laterite nickel ore were reported at $35, $39, and $39.5/wmt, respectively, with 1.6% grade reaching a delivered price of $65.6–$74.6/wmt. This strengthening of premiums reflects both the release of restocking demand from smelters and pessimistic expectations regarding RKAB quota reductions. Simultaneously, the delivery price for 1.2% grade limonite has edged up to $24–$26/wmt. Pyrometallurgical Ore: From a supply and demand perspective, Sulawesi is transitioning into the dry season; Konawe has reached optimal production levels, while Morowali is recovering from previous floods. However, Halmahera continues to be hampered by thunderstorms, resulting in high moisture content and dragging down mining efficiency. The market is facing a clear trend of declining ore grades. While some NPI smelters have begun accepting grades of 1.45% or lower, the supply of high-grade saprolite remains tight. As of mid-March, the ESDM has approved approximately 100 million tons of RKAB quotas. The remaining 160 to 170 million tons are expected to be processed by the end of March. However, due to the Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran) holidays (March 18–24), approval progress is expected to lag, exacerbating short-term supply tightness. Faced with resource uncertainty, some smelters have increased trade bonuses to secure raw materials. Transactions for low-grade saprolite are emerging at fixed prices lower than high-grade ores. Conversely, Limonite prices remain low due to a tailings dam landslide at a major MHP project, which has forced production lines to operate at low loads, hindering demand recovery. However, Limonite prices are expected to eventually follow Saprolite upward due to new project stockpiling and external island demand. Hydrometallurgical Ore Although the spot supply of hydrometallurgical ore is relatively sufficient, a tailings dam landslide at an MHP project in a certain industrial park has forced related production lines to operate at low loads, leading to a temporary weakness in demand. However, given the concerns over RKAB approval uncertainty, the stockpiling needs of newly commissioned projects, and the growing demand from outer islands, hydrometallurgical ore prices are expected to follow the trend of pyrometallurgical ore and remain elevated. On March 3, 2026, Tri Winarno, Director General of Mineral and Coal, clarified that rumors of a "25%–30% universal increase in RKAB quotas" are false. Quota supplements will be based on individualized assessments of production capacity and compliance, with the approval process not expected to start until the second half of 2026. Market Outlook: Due to the overall delay in RKAB approvals, nickel ore prices in April are expected to remain resilient with a strong "easy to rise, hard to fall" trend. Nickel Pig Iron "NPI Prices See Periodic Retracement as Tug-of-War Intensifies Between Cost Support and Downstream Pressure" The average price of SMM 10-12% NPI average price rose by RMB 0.3 per nickel unit week-on-week to RMB 1090.2 per nickel unit (ex-works, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index decreased by USD 0.65 per nickel unit to an average of USD 138.28 per nickel unit. This week, following consecutive price drops in stainless steel finished products and LME/SHFE nickel, the High-Grade NPI market experienced panic selling and low-price liquidation, entering a phase of periodic decline. From the supply side, With ore prices remaining elevated, smelter production costs continue to rise. However, triggered by the sharp decline in futures markets, some traders began offloading arbitrage stocks at low prices, leading to a general softening of upstream quotes.From the demand side, Weighed down by falling stainless steel prices and the influx of low-priced spot goods, most steel mills have lowered their bid intentions, exerting downward pressure on NPI prices. Overall, while cost support for smelters remains, downstream suppression is evident. The combination of futures-driven market sentiment and loosening upstream quotes has led to a periodic retracement in High-Grade NPI Overall outlook, market transactions will remain under pressure in the short term as the cost-tug-of-war between upstream and downstream continues. However, the downward room for NPI prices is expected to be limited.
Mar 20, 2026 18:58【Indonesia PMMI Blast Furnace to Ignite End-March; May Slab Trial Orders Open】 SMM March 20th: Permai (PMMI), a joint venture restructured by Indonesia Tsingshan Iron & Steel and Guangxi Guixin Iron & Steel Group, will launch its new blast furnace at the end of March. Based in Tsingshan Industrial Park, Morowali, Central Sulawesi, the project upgrades the original 580m³ NPI blast furnace to a 1216m³ carbon steel blast furnace with LF refining, boasting an annual capacity of 1.8 million tonnes. It focuses on high-grade special steel smelting and production of continuous cast slab and billet. Product Specifications & Order Info Thickness: 210/230mm Width: 1000-1650mm Length: 6000-11700mm Loading Port: Bahodopi, Morowali Trial orders for May shipment slab are accepted.
Mar 20, 2026 15:17SMM Clarification Statement SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM" or "the Company"), as a professional spot market price reporting agency and information provider, has recently noticed the circulation of false information regarding the fairness of SMM's price assessment. To avoid market misunderstandings, maintain a healthy and transparent market environment, and protect the Company's legitimate rights and interests, SMM hereby makes the following solemn clarification and statement: I. The Difference Between Spot Prices and Futures Prices is a Normal Reflection of Market Mechanisms According to basic economic principles, spot prices reflect the immediate supply-demand relationship and deliverable transaction conditions of the underlying asset, while futures prices reflect market expectations for future supply and demand, including factors such as capital cost and carrying costs. Both follow the principle of "convergence at maturity," meaning that futures prices gradually converge towards spot prices as the contract expiration date approaches. Therefore, during the life of the contract, the difference between spot prices and futures prices, especially with far-month contracts, is a normal phenomenon under the market pricing mechanism. II. Historical Data Proves the Rationality of the Price Spread Structure To objectively present the facts, SMM has made a price spread analysis chart based on publicly available market data: The chart clearly shows that from September 2023 to 2025, the monthly price spread between the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate average price and the GFEX lithium carbonate futures contract prices fluctuated between positive and negative territory, always remaining within a reasonable range, and exhibited a significant convergence trend as the contract expiration date approached. This fully aligns with the market rule of futures and spot price convergence. Comparing a certain periods' futures prices (especially those of far-month most-traded contracts) with spot assessment prices and concluding that there is a "consistent significant deviation" is fundamentally flawed in methodology and can easily mislead market judgment. Any behavior that selectively highlights short-term trends in the price spread without considering the broader context is partial and irresponsible, failing to reflect the overall market situation. III. Recent Market Risk Control Measures Recently, to maintain the stable operation of the lithium carbonate futures market and prevent potential risks, the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, in accordance with its risk management rules, issued multiple notifications consecutively between November and December 2025, implementing a series of risk control measures for relevant contracts, including adjustments to transaction fee standards and trading limits. These measures represent the exchange's commitment to fulfill its self-regulatory duties in accordance with the law during specific market periods, aiming to promote the steady development of the market. IV. The Emergence, Nature, and Harm of False Information It is noteworthy that during this sensitive period, when the aforementioned risk control measures were being intensively implemented, a significant amount of false information began circulating on the Internet. While such information varies in content, it shares an identical core narrative: False claims have been made that SMM’s prices "consistently and significantly deviate from fair value and futures prices" and that "there are illegal benefit-related connections with certain institutions". These claims are entirely groundless. The timing and manner of their dissemination indicate that their purpose is not professional discussion but rather an attempt to exert improper pressure on SMM by confusing the price logic of spot and futures markets, interfere with the neutrality of spot price assessments, and consequently potentially mislead market expectations and disrupt the normal relationship between futures and spot prices. SMM hereby solemnly declares that SMM is always committed to price discovery in the spot market, does not participate in any futures market trading operations, and resolutely maintains market order. V. The Compliance, Neutrality, and Supervision Mechanisms of SMM's Price Assessment As a professional market price assessment agency, SMM always adheres to the principles of neutrality, objectivity, and fairness. SMM's price assessment methodology strictly follows the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) "Principles for Financial Benchmarks" and is subject to audits by independent third-party audit firms. In terms of internal governance, SMM has established a comprehensive firewall system to ensure that personnel and management involved in the price assessment process do not hold any related futures or spot positions, thereby eliminating conflicts of interest at an institutional level. SMM also has no history of any penalties from securities regulatory authorities for violations. We consistently maintain an open attitude towards market supervision based on facts. VI. Appeal to the Public SMM strongly condemns the recent malicious fabrication and dissemination of false information in the market, which damages SMM's commercial reputation and attempts to disrupt the order of the futures and spot markets, and has initiated legal proceedings to protect its rights. Currently, SMM is comprehensively and continuously collecting and preserving evidence related to the infringements. For suspected infringing acts, the Company will take all legal measures, including but not limited to reporting to relevant regulatory authorities and filing complaints with relevant online platforms, to resolutely pursue the legal liability of the infringing parties. SMM reserves the right to pursue all legal consequences against the relevant responsible parties. We once again call on all market participants to enhance their legal awareness and professional discernment capabilities, obtain information from authoritative channels, analyze the market rationally, resolutely resist and refuse to spread any unverified and unfounded rumors, and jointly maintain a fair, orderly, and healthy development environment for the industry chain. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Dec 26, 2025
Dec 26, 2025 17:30Dear Valued Customers, Pursuant to the requirements of Announcement No. 10 of 2025 issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) of China on February 4, 2025, Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) and Tungsten Oxide have been included in the list of export-controlled items. Export operators are required to apply for a license in accordance with the law before conducting related business. Affected by this policy, the export volume of domestic Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) and Tungsten Oxide products has dropped sharply, and the subsequent export scale will remain at a low level. Due to the significant decline in export transaction activity, the market price formation mechanism no longer has sufficient data support, and continuing to update price points can hardly reflect the real market situation. To ensure the accuracy and professionalism of our information services, after careful consideration, SMM has decided to cease updating the two price points of "APT FOB" and "Tungsten Oxide FOB" starting from October 9, 2025. During the suspension of updates, our company will continue to track the dynamic adjustments of export control policies and the changing trends of the global tungsten industry chain. If the market becomes active again and the price data becomes representative in the future, we will restart the price update service as soon as possible and announce it separately. The historical data of the above-mentioned price points that have ceased to be updated will continue to be retained in the SMM database. If you have any needs for historical data inquiry and related business consultation, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at +86 15021973263 or Li Jiahui at +86 13792518717, lijiahui@smm.cn. Thank you for your understanding and support! Shanghai Metals MarketSeptember 30, 2025
PriceOct 16, 2025 16:25