On July 27, Xinjiang Xihai New Energy New Materials Co., Ltd. announced a planned maintenance shutdown of its A-line lithium carbonate production line from July 28 to August 31, lasting 35 days, with production expected to resume on September 1. The overhaul involves repairs to core equipment such as rotary kilns and evaporators, as well as upgrades to feeding platforms and acid adjustment tanks. The shutdown is estimated to reduce output by about 2,000 tons. Existing orders will be delayed until after maintenance, while sales services remain operational.

In H1, the industry showed distinct characteristics: upstream raw material imports experienced a mix of hot and cold trends, while mid-and downstream aluminum processing product exports saw explosive growth. Diverging domestic and overseas demand, shifting overseas manufacturing orders, and changes in the overseas raw material supply landscape are jointly reshaping the trade pattern of China's aluminum industry chain.

NLMK Group is a top-20 global and the No.1 Russian steelmaker. Its 2025 annual report tells a defensive one built on vertical integration and rock-bottom costs — holding volumes and liquidity under the combined squeeze of shrinking demand, record Chinese exports and a stronger rouble, while keeping decarbonization options open through a roadmap that reaches to 2050.

The European Commission plans to overhaul its Emissions Trading System on July 17 to balance climate targets with economic interests. The draft proposal extends carbon allowances into the 2040s and grants an extra €6 billion in free permits to heat producers, fuel users, and CBAM-covered businesses beyond 2034. It also recommends slowing the mandatory annual 4.3% emissions cut by lowering the linear reduction factor. In return, member states must use carbon revenues to fund local green technologies, international offset projects, and cleaner energy transitions.

Tokyo Steel plans to modify its hot-dip galvanized coil line at Okayama Works into a dual-purpose line that also produces cold-rolled coils. The ~10 billion yen ($70m) investment will enable annual output of 250,000 tonnes for both coil types. The galvanizing line will shut down for three months from Dec 2026 to Feb 2027. Trial runs begin March 2027, with commercial production scheduled for April 2027.

Kametstal halted BF No.1M on July 1 for its largest maintenance project of 2026, a Class II major overhaul focused on replacing refractory lining of the shaft, hearth, and air heaters, partially renewing cooling system elements, and fully replacing charging equipment. Repair crews are currently dismantling machinery and clearing residual melting products. The team will apply successful practices from last year's BF No.9 overhaul. The project aims to restore equipment reliability, stabilize operations, and meet production targets within schedule.