[SMM Analysis: Samsung SDI’s “Contrarian Big Bet” — 25 Trillion Won Staked on Next-Generation Batteries Could Rewrite Global Energy Landscape] Samsung SDI disclosed a regulatory filing on July 3, announcing an investment of approximately 16 trillion won (about 88 billion yuan) into its Ulsan plant by 2040, to build large-scale production sites for all-solid-state batteries, LFP batteries for ESS, and sodium-ion batteries. A day earlier (July 2), the company had announced an investment of 9 trillion won into its Cheonan plant, for setting up a mother production line for next-generation battery technology verification and R&D facilities. Combined, the two investments total 25 trillion won, spanning a period of 14 years and lasting until 2040.

Dinglong has filed an application for an H-share listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Alongside its semiconductor materials business, the company has continued to expand its presence in new energy materials. Earlier this year, Dinglong acquired a 70% stake in Shenzhen Haofei New Materials, a leading supplier of dispersants for lithium batteries used in electric vehicle and energy storage applications, further strengthening its lithium battery materials portfolio.

On June 30, at the 2026 Annual Forum of the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance, Ma Chunsheng, Director of the Automotive Development Division of the Equipment Industry Department I of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, delivered authoritative industry signals from the stage. The official stance clearly delineated the medium- and long-term technology breakthrough tracks, focusing on three core materials: lithium-rich manganese-based cathodes, silicon-based anodes, and solid-state electrolytes. The goal is to concentrate efforts on overcoming all-solid-state and high-specific-energy lithium batteries, using material innovation to solidify the competitive foundation of China's power battery industry.

[SMM Analysis: Surging Demand in H1 2026 Drives Industry Expansion, Anode Volume and Price Both Rise, Welcoming Recovery Opportunities] SMM July 3: In H1 2026, a surge in downstream demand drove steady improvement in the anode industry’s prosperity, significantly releasing overall market vitality.

[SMM EMM Weekly Review: Cost and Production Cuts Double Bottom Support, Off-Season Market Stabilizes in Narrow Range] This week, China's EMM market rebounded slightly and then entered a sideways movement channel. Spot quotations overall stabilized and consolidated. The futures market showed a stalemate pattern where both gains and losses were difficult, with the downside room for prices fully locked. Costs and the supply side formed a double bottom support, becoming the core driving force stabilizing the market......

[SMM Analysis: Anode-Free Sodium-Ion Battery Track Heats Up, Inpower Technology's Pre-A+ Round Outlines "Technology + Capital + Industry" Synergy] SMM, July 2: The sodium-ion battery track has witnessed another landmark event. Recently, Inpower Technology, an anode-free sodium-ion battery enterprise, announced the completion of its Pre-A+ funding round at the 100 million yuan level. This round was co-led by Qifu Capital and the Fudan Science and Technology Innovation Fund, with follow-on investments from Su Science and Technology Innovation, Xianghe Capital, and a global top-tier player in lead-acid batteries. Judging by the composition of investors, this funding round has transcended mere financial support, presenting a composite structure of triple empowerment: "technology endorsement + industrial resources + regional policies." This reflects that the sodium-ion battery industry is accelerating its shift from the technology verification phase to the large-scale volume ramp-up phase...