The latest customs data showed that in February 2026, China’s imports of unwrought silver ingots with a purity of no less than 99.99% reached 206.76 mt, up 499% MoM and surging 5,910% YoY to a multi-year high. The rare opening of the import window drove significant changes in the supply-demand pattern of the domestic silver ingot market.
Mar 25, 2026 17:51[SMM Tin Brief Commentary: SHFE Tin Stopped Falling and Rebounded, Closing Up 2.94% as Macro Pressure and Bottom Support Vied Against Each Other]
Mar 24, 2026 18:33SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at $12,016.5/mt. After dipping to $11,955.5/mt in early trading, its center rose sharply to a high of $12,160/mt, and then continued to hover at highs, finally closing at $12,092.5/mt, down 1.05%. Trading volume reached 23,000 lots, open interest stood at 293,000 lots, up 406 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting increased short positions overall. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2605 contract opened at 93,600 yuan/mt and touched a low of 93,480 yuan/mt at the open. Its center then moved higher to a high of 94,990 yuan/mt, after which copper prices maintained a fluctuating trend at highs, finally closing at 94,670 yuan/mt, up 0.17%. Trading volume reached 51,000 lots, open interest stood at 198,000 lots, down 533 lots from the previous trading day, mainly reflecting reduced short positions throughout the day.
Mar 25, 2026 09:13[Overnight, LME Aluminum and SHFE Aluminum Edged Up Slightly, but Aluminum Prices Faced Short-Term Pressure at High Levels] Continued destocking in LME inventory provided bottom support for LME aluminum, but amid tightening fund liquidity and profit-taking by bulls, upward momentum remained insufficient, and the backwardation structure weakened somewhat. China’s social inventory rose to a high for the same period in nearly five years, and the inventory buildup cycle had yet to end, with high inventory and weak spot fundamentals jointly weighing on upward momentum. The divergence between domestic and overseas drivers continued, the SHFE/LME price ratio kept weakening, and prices were mainly under pressure in the short term.
Mar 25, 2026 09:12Australia's Atlantic Lithium has obtained approval from Ghana's parliament to develop the Ewoyaa project—the country's first lithium mine—and will be subject to revised royalty terms linked to market prices.
Mar 23, 2026 18:19Recently, Mingyang Hydrogen’s MYH-K-1000 electrolyzer completed the authoritative evaluation under the China Hydrogen Alliance’s “Leader Program” and received the official test report. With multiple industry-leading performance indicators, it has established a new benchmark for alkaline electrolyzers adapted to fluctuating new energy scenarios, marking a major technological milestone for the company in the field of hydrogen energy equipment. This product is the first 1,000 Nm³/h-class alkaline electrolyzer on the China Hydrogen Alliance’s field-testing platform to achieve the “15th Five-Year Plan” target of 20%–120% ultra-wide flexible load regulation . At the 20% minimum load, it can stably control hydrogen content in oxygen to within 1.5%, enabling long-term stable operation. It also features rapid load response capability of 5%/s to 10%/s. Its core performance is industry-leading and perfectly suited to the flexible operating conditions of wind and solar power generation, providing robust support for the development of the green fuel industry. The test certification presentation ceremony was held at Mingyang Hydrogen’s Beijing Center. Yu Tianxiao, Director of the Quality Value Center at Guoneng Hydrogen Innovation and Deputy General Manager of Hydrogen Testing Technology, presented the certification report to Pan Yongle, Executive Director and CEO of Mingyang Hydrogen, and both parties witnessed this important moment together. Rigorous Field Testing Validates Outstanding Performance, Strong Results Under Extreme Cold Conditions According to the alliance’s field-test data, under 100% rated load, the MYH-K-1000 kept hydrogen content in oxygen below 0.5% and successfully passed load ramp-up and ramp-down tests at 3%/s and 5%/s. Under the ultra-low load of 20%, hydrogen content in oxygen remained compliant, while DC power consumption was as low as 3.85 kWh, achieving efficient and stable operation. This long-duration test was conducted throughout in an outdoor environment at minus 20°C . The product still demonstrated excellent cold and hot start capabilities, as well as high reliability, high safety, and fully flexible operating characteristics, overcoming the longstanding low-temperature operating limitations of traditional electrolyzers and enabling adaptation to more extreme application scenarios. Breakthroughs in Core Technology Innovation Set a New Industry Benchmark This electrolyzer adopts advanced integrated die-casting technology, delivering high consistency in its internal structure. The area of its electrolysis unit is 75% larger than that of traditional designs, and it overcomes sealing challenges on the basis of zero-electrode-gap technology, significantly improving product performance and production efficiency and setting a new technological benchmark for the industry. Company Statement: Continuous Innovation-Driven Development and Deepening Commitment to Hydrogen Energy Equipment Pan Yongle, CEO of Mingyang Hydrogen, stated that this certification is the result of the team’s technological breakthroughs. The company will continue to uphold the philosophy of “innovation-driven, green future,” further increase R&D investment, launch more high performance products, provide global clients with high-quality hydrogen energy solutions, and support the industry’s high-quality development.
Mar 24, 2026 11:53To better serve industrial clients and more closely align with the market, SMM has added a weekly price for Vietnam 8mm copper cathode rod (CIF) processing fees, which will be officially launched on the SMM website (smm.cn) on December 19, 2025. 1. SMM 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne Methodology 1.1 SMM Price Assessment Methodology General Provisions Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is a fully independent third-party service organization that does not participate in any actual transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with buyers or sellers in the market as an observer or organizer and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously develops, reviews, and revises its methodology through communication with industry professionals, adopting the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry. Equal importance is given to normal transactions that meet the standard specifications. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price information deemed less reliable or unrepresentative from its price assessments. SMM publishes daily spot metal prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and global markets), commonly referred to as SMM prices. For each published SMM price, a corresponding methodology is established (all of which are available for reference on SMM’s official website, www.smm.cn). The methodology specifies the methods and procedures for generating and publishing SMM prices, and SMM strictly adheres to these guidelines when producing and releasing SMM prices. To align with the actual conditions of the spot market, SMM will make necessary revisions to the SMM price assessment methodology and announce these revisions on the official website www.smm.cn 28 days before their formal implementation. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices or the methodology, please contact SMM customer service (contact information can be found on the official website www.smm.cn ). This document specifies the standards for formulating the weekly RC for 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne. The purpose of establishing this standard by SMM is to create a transparent and verifiable mechanism for SMM price formation. The SMM Benchmark Management Committee also regularly reviews the methodology and its assessment and publication processes. This committee oversees SMM’s methodology and compilation procedures, ensuring that the prices or indices accurately reflect the objective conditions of the physical spot market for the relevant commodities. If the committee identifies any issues, it will promptly highlight them and propose external consultation and revisions to the ongoing methodology or processes, thereby improving the quality of SMM’s published prices or indices. The committee may only propose modifications to the methodology and procedures used for future price or index assessments it cannot alter already published prices or indices. 2. Formation of Processing Fees for 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne. 2.1 Significance of the Price Assessment Against the backdrop of global economic integration, Vietnam is emerging as a significant driver of economic growth in Southeast Asia. On one hand, the accelerated investment in power infrastructure expansion, along with the increase in power transmission line and substation projects, has led to a surge in demand for copper rod as a core raw material. On the other hand, industrial upgrades are driving the rapid development of the electronics manufacturing sector, with numerous component and home appliance enterprises establishing operations, leading to a continuous expansion in demand for high-precision 8mm copper rod, and overall market demand is steadily rising. Under the Belt and Road cooperation framework, economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam are becoming increasingly close. Logistics channels such as cross-border railways and highways are continuously being optimized, making transportation more efficient. The implementation of policies such as tariff reductions further lowers trade costs and improves efficiency, laying a solid foundation for the expansion of the China-Vietnam copper rod trade scale. In light of this, SMM will officially launch the weekly price assessment for 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne starting December 19, 2025. SMM price members will be able to simultaneously access historical prices from that date. 2.2 SMM 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne Price Assessment Methodology 2.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Product standards are BS EN 1997:2013 Copper and copper alloys. Copper drawing stock (wire rod)、ASTM B49-20 Standard Specification for Copper Rod for Electrical Purposes, product specifications are 8mm copper cathode rod (T1, T2), oxygen content greater than 20ppm. 2.2.2 Price Terms CIF Vietnam, Copper Cathode Rod Premium top on LME CSP, QP M+1(M stands for arrival month) 2.2.3 Payment Terms Cash, other terms normalized. Reference is made to major international payment methods (including D/P, D/A, T/T, etc.). If transactions significantly deviate from this standard, SMM will consider excluding individual samples based on trade volume. For deferred payments or letters of credit, SMM will adjust them according to the prevailing interest rate at the time to align with this standard. 2.2.4 Delivery Time Within 4 weeks. 2.2.5 Reference Transaction Volume Min 200 tones. 2.2.6 Delivery Location Main Ports of Vietnam 2.2.7 Price Release Time Every Friday at 11:30 AM Vietnam Time (except on Chinese statutory holidays and weekends). 2.2.8 Processing Fee Format Reported processing fees are provided as a range, indicating the lowest and highest prices. For example: 8mm Copper Cathode Rod Premium, CIF Vietnam, USD/tonne range $250-270/tonne, average: $260/tonne. 2.2.9 Price Collection Methodology SMM will, in accordance with the price collection confirmation agreement, have price analysts regularly collect price information from copper foil industry price contacts via phone, QQ, WeChat, fax, and email. This price information includes concluded transaction prices, the enterprise's expected most likely pending transaction prices, etc. All instant messaging content, email communications, and any records of face-to-face communications will be archived details of phone communications will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting any forced or threatened communications from market participants, or any induced offers attempting to influence the assessment. Once published, SMM will not revise or adjust the price on the same day. 2.2.10 Standardization of Data Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, diversity exists in market transactions. The price of each transaction is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, brand of goods, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market offers, bids, and transaction information, aligning them with our standards. Each price datum will be electronically recorded or accompanied by written records. All electronic and paper records must be archived by price collection personnel and retained long-term (at least 5 years) in secure network and physical environments. For details, please refer to the SMM Data Retention Policy. 2.2.11 Price Assessment Process The specific process is as follows: 2.3 Methodology Changes All markets change, and SMM has a responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports evolves with the market. Therefore, SMM will regularly conduct internal reviews of the methodology's appropriateness based on industry feedback. For all substantive but non-urgent potential modifications, SMM will follow a formal external consultation process. Major changes will then be announced with a notice period of at least 28 days, inviting industry comments, unless special circumstances, particularly force majeure (natural disasters, war, exchange bankruptcy, etc.), necessitate a shorter notice period. SMM is committed to carefully considering all comments on proposed methodology changes, but in some cases, it may be necessary to proceed with changes contrary to the wishes of some market participants. Additionally, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to holding a formal consultation on the methodology every three years. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for the next consultation committed by SMM are located at the top of the methodology document. 2.4 Compliance with SMM Policies All relevant SMM employees must not only comply with the methodology published by SMM but also adhere to SMM's internal standards and policies. These include: SMM Conflict of Interest Policy, SMM Whistleblower Policy, SMM Error Correction Policy, SMM Methodology Review Consultation and Change Policy, SMM Complaints Policy, etc. Welcome more relevant enterprises in the industry chain to participate and support SMM in better serving related enterprises in the Copper Cathode Rod industry chain. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Metals Market Copper Research Team, Xinyang Wang Contact: 021-20707846, +86 15762822325
PriceDec 11, 2025 15:29