In mid-April, CATL announced plans to invest 30 billion yuan to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary, Times Resources Group, registered in Xiamen and positioned as a professional investment, operation, and management platform in the new energy minerals sector. This major move is not only a key step for CATL in building a closed-loop entire industry chain of "ore — materials — battery — recycling," but will also inject strong momentum into the extraction and reuse of rare and precious metal resources, driving the battery recycling industry from standardized development toward a new phase of technological breakthroughs and scale expansion. The core mission of Times Resources Group is to integrate global critical minerals resources such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, while expanding into high-quality rare and precious metal mining projects. From an industry perspective, lithium, nickel, and cobalt are core raw materials for power batteries, while rare and precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals are indispensable in electronic devices and catalysts. Through this 30 billion yuan capital deployment, CATL can both ensure that its primary lithium resources self-supply rate rises above 35% and keep lithium chemicals costs below 50,000 yuan/mt, while also establishing stable raw material connection channels for rare and precious metal regeneration after battery recycling through full industry chain control of mineral resources. More notably, CATL hired Chen Jinghe, founder of Zijin Mining, as a mining consultant, leveraging his extensive experience in mineral exploration and extraction to further optimize resource development processes. This means the upstream extraction segment will place greater emphasis on green and efficient technology applications, such as adopting efficient leaching technology for low-grade ore and comprehensive recovery processes for rare and precious metal associated ore, improving resource utilization rate from the source, laying the raw material foundation for rare and precious metal regeneration in subsequent battery recycling, and achieving synergy between "primary extraction + secondary recycling."

The 2026 SMM Tier1 List was officially unveiled at the banquet of the CLNB 2026 (the 11th New Energy Industry Chain Expo) , organized by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). This conference, held at Suzhou International Expo Center, China from April 8-10, 2026, served as the premier platform for advancing the global clean energy ecosystem. SMM Global Tier 1 Supplier Rankings In 2022, China's new energy industry chain accelerated its expansion, while overseas automakers and energy storage enterprises saw surging demand for Chinese supply chains. Coupled with information barriers caused by the pandemic, the international market urgently needed an objective and fair benchmark to bridge the two-way needs between Chinese enterprises going global and overseas clients optimizing their supply chains. Leveraging long-term data accumulation and professional research on the entire new energy industry chain, the SMM TIER 1 list emerged to meet this demand and was officially launched for the first time in 2023 . SMM Global Tier 1 Supplier Rankings , launched by SMM , serves as a global benchmark for the new energy industry. Centered on "transparent methodology + independent auditing," it incorporates third-party verification from institutions like Dun & Bradstreet and SGS to establish globally comparable industry standards. After years of refinement, the list now covers 10+ sub-sectors , including energy storage, lithium battery, and PV, etc., gaining widespread recognition from global industry chain clients. It has become a core reference for international market collaboration, serving as both a "golden benchmark" for industrial strength and a vital bridge for global resource alignment. 2026 SMM Global Tier 1 Supplier Rankings (The following enterprises are listed in no particular order) Analyst Views on Energy Storage Battery Cells Utility Storage Flourishes, Chinese Players Dominate BTM (Behind-the-Meter) Storage Storage Unlocks a Second Growth Curve for the Energy Storage Market Fast-Growing Enterprises Make Breakthrough, New and Established Players Jointly Form a Positive Market Landscape Representative Enterprises of Utility Energy Storage Battery Cell Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited BYD Company Limited EVE Energy Co., Ltd. REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co., Ltd. CALB Technology Group Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. SEVB Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Ganfeng LiEnergy Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Pengcheng Unlimited New Energy Co., Ltd. Envision Dynamics Technology(Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. SVOLT Energy Technology Co., Ltd. China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Representative Companies for BTM (Behind-the-Meter) Storage Cells REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. EVE Energy Co., Ltd. Pylon Technologies Co., Ltd Xiamen Ampace Technology Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Representatives of Fast-Growing Battery Cell Enterprises Guangzhou Great Power Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Guoke Energy (Chuzhou) Co., Ltd. CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd. China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Energy Storage Integration Grid-Forming Technology Consolidates the Foundation of New-Type Power Systems Power Generation and Grid Side Forge the Global Benchmark Echelon for Utility-Scale Energy Storage Integration Expansion of Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Scenarios Pioneer New Growth Space for Distributed Energy Storage Representative Enterprises of Grid-Forming ESS Technology Nanjing NR Electric Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Xiamen Kehua Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Power Generation and Grid-Side ESS Integrators Canadian Solar Inc. Xyz Storage Technology Corp. Ltd. RCT POWER Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co., Ltd. CRRC ZHUZHOU ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO.,LTD. Envision Energy Co., Ltd. Risen Energy Co., Ltd. China Electric Equipment Group Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd Guangzhou Zhiguang Electric Co., Ltd. BYD Energy Storage Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. Sieyuan Electric Co., Ltd. Shanghai Robestec Energy Co., Ltd. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Nanjing NR Protection Electric Co., Ltd. TrinaSolar Co., Ltd. Behind-the-Meter (BTM) ESS Integrators Weiheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Hoenergy Power Technology Co. Ltd. Xi'an JD Energy Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Fox Ess Co.,Ltd Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Shanghai Robestec Energy Co., Ltd. Sigenergy Technology Co., Ltd. Xiamen Ampace Technology Co., Ltd. Pylon Technologies Co., Ltd. Suzhou PotisEdge Co., Ltd. Wanbang Digital Energy Co., Ltd. Ningbo Deye Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen ATESS Power Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Viws on PV Industry Technology Leadership, Global Benchmark Full-Chain Layout, Scale-Driven Leadership Inverter Suppliers Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. TBEA Co., Ltd. Shanghai Chint Power Systems Co., Ltd. Ginlong Technologies Co., Ltd. GoodWe Technologies Co., Ltd. Xiamen Kehua Digital Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Huadian Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd. Beijing SOJO Electric Co., Ltd. SolaX Power Network Technology (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. Sigenergy Technology Co., Ltd. PV Module Suppliers LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. TrinaSolar Co., Ltd. JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. Tongwei Co., Ltd. Chint New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. GCL SI Technology Co., Ltd. Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co., Ltd. Canadian Solar Inc. TCL Zhonghuan Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. Yingli Solar Energy Development Co., Ltd. Risen Energy Co., Ltd. Shanghai AIKO New Energy Co., Ltd. Suzhou Jolywood Solar Technology Co., Ltd. DAS Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. SolarSpace Ningbo Ulica Solar Co., Ltd. ZNShine PV-Tech Co., Ltd. AE Solar Solar Tracker Suppliers Jiangsu Guoqiang Xingsheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Arctech Solar Antai New Energy ESET Solar Trina Tracker VG Solar Array Technologies Antai New Energy Versol Solar Hangzhou Huading New Energy Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Advanced Equipment Battery manufacturing equipment enterprises forge core process for lithium battery mass production Material manufacturing equipment manufacturers build a solid foundation for efficient production across the industry chain Battery Manufacturing Equipment Enterprises Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Yinghe Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen S.C New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Hangke Technology Co., Ltd. Wuxi Autowell Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Lyric Robot Automation Co., Ltd. Yingkou Jinchen Machinery Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Colibri Technologies Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Fujian Nebula Electronics Co., Ltd. Mikrouna (Shanghai) Intelligent Technology Ltd. Shenzhen Manst Technology Co., Ltd. Ningde Sike Qi Intelligent Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Geesun Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. Material Manufacturing Equipment Enterprises Jiangsu Myande Energy-saving Evaporation Equipment Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Huahong Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. Hengli Eletek Co.,Ltd Enerpat (Jiangsu) Environmental Co., Ltd. Energy Digital Manufacturing (Xi'an) Technology Co., Ltd EFALI Pump Industry(Guangdong) Co.,Ltd Guangdong Yifu Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. Ningbo Kio Flow Instruments Co., Ltd. Shijiazhuang Dingwei Chemical Equipment Engineering Co., Ltd. Gaodao Sealing Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. RIGHTLEDER (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. Guizhou micro-chemical Technology Co., Ltd. Zhongyu (Tianjin) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Changzhou Primary Equipment Co., Ltd. Jiangxi RONT Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. Ningbo Souwest Magnetech Development Co., Ltd. Hebei Yanming Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Iron Phosphate LFP Core Precursor, Cornerstone of the Lithium Battery Industry Chain Ammonium Process for Market Stability, Iron Process for Cost Reduction, Multiple Processes in Parallel Technology Iteration Drives Cost Reduction, Consolidating a Stable Supply Chain Foundation Representative Enterprises of the Ammonium Process Route Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Guizhou Hention New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Guizhou Yayou New Materials Co., Ltd. Hubei Xingyou New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. CNGR Advanced Material Co., Ltd. Guizhou Phosphate Chemical New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Yacheng New Energy Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of the Iron Process Route Shandong Tsaker New Material Co., Ltd. Yuntu New Energy Materials (Jingzhou) Co., Ltd. Tangshan Hengkun New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of the Sodium Process Route Henan Baili New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Tongling Nayuan Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on LFP The Dominant Material in Both Energy Storage and NEV Markets Leading Across Multiple Technology Routes, Chinese Enterprises Setting Global Benchmarks Supporting the Scaling and High-Quality Development of the New Energy Industry Representative Enterprises of the Iron Phosphate Process Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Materials Co., Ltd. Hubei Wanrun New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Youshan New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Fengyuan Lithium Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology (LBM) Co., Ltd. Guizhou Anda Technology Energy Co., Ltd. Hubei Rongtong High-tech Advanced Materials Group Co., Ltd. Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Ferrous Oxalate Method Fulin Precision Machining Co., Ltd. Hunan Pengbo New Material Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Liquid-Phase Method Shenzhen Dynanonic Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Iron Oxide Red Method Sichuan GCL Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views in Ternary Cathode Core Material for High-End Power, Accelerating High-Nickel Technology Iteration Deepening Integrated Resource Layout, Leading Global Industry Direction Enabling Long Driving Range and High-End Upgrades for NEVs Representative Enterprises of Ternary Cathode Material Gansu Jinchuan Reshine New Material Co., Ltd. Tianjin B&M Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Minmetals New Energy Materials (Hunan) Co., Ltd. Tianjin Guoan Mengguli New Materials Science&Technology Co., Ltd. Yibin Libao New Materials Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Anode Materials Industry Leaders Drive Iteration More New Players Emerge Industry Upgrades Accelerate Anode Material Enterprises Tianmulake Excellent Anode Materials Co., Ltd. Lanxi Zed New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Iametal New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. BTR New Material Group Co., Ltd. Shanghai Shanshan Technology Co., Ltd. Shijiazhuang Shangtai Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Kaijin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Zhongke Shinzoom Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Zichen Technology Co., Ltd. Shinghwa Advanced Material Technology (Meishan) Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Solid-State Battery Industry Next-Generation Battery Technology, Semi-Solid-State Mass Production Accelerates Full Supply Chain Matrix Takes Initial Shape, Ushering in a New Era of Diversified Application Scenarios Representative Enterprises of Solid-State Battery Technology Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Group Co., Ltd. Beijing WELION New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang FunLithium New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hytzer New Energy (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Solid-State Electrolyte Shanghai Emperor of Cleaning Hi-Tech Co., Ltd. Liyang CASOL Energy Technology Co., Ltd Zhejiang FunLithium New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. LionGo (Changzhou) New Energy Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Sodium-Ion Battery Industry An Emerging Force in Energy Storage and Low-Speed Mobility, with Prominent Cost Advantages Self-Controlled Entire Industry Chain, Scaled Capacity Release Forging a Globally Leading Sodium-Ion Battery Industry Landscape Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Cells Shanxi Huana Xinneng Technology Co., Ltd. Highstar Sodium Battery (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. Veken Technology.,Ltd. Jiangsu Pylon Battery Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Yingong Technology Co., Ltd. Shuangdeng Group Co., Ltd. Beijing Zhongke Hai Na Technology Co., Ltd. Chaowei Power Group Co., Ltd Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Anode Chengdu Best Technology Co., Ltd. Guangdong Rongna New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Wuhan Tianna Technology Co., Ltd. Zhuhai Nagan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Nake New Materials Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Zoolnasm Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Jiana Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Xiamen Xingrong New Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. Huzhou Yingna New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Yibin Tianyuan Lithium Battery New Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Xinna New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang NaTRIUM Energy Co., Ltd. Representative Enterprises of Sodium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Zhuhai Smoothway Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. LionGo (Changzhou) New Energy Co., Ltd. Huzhou Kunlun Power Battery Materials Co., Ltd. Analyst Views on Recycling Industry Core Carrier of Lithium Battery Green Recycling, Key Support for Dual-Carbon Strategy Full Value Chain Taking Shape, Integrated Leaders Driving Closed-Loop Development Facilitating Sustainable Development Across the Full Life Cycle of the Lithium Battery Industry Representative Enterprises in Lithium Battery Recycling Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Huayou Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. GEM Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Sunwoda Recycled Materials Co., Ltd. Anhui Nandu Huabo New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Xunying New Energy Group Co., Ltd. Wuhan Power Battery Regeneration Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Jiecheng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Hengchuangruineng Environmental Protection Technology Group Co., Ltd. Jiujiang Tinci Resource Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Ganfeng Circular Technology Co., Ltd. Ganzhou Longkai Technology Co., Ltd. Shangrao Huanli Circular Technology Co., Ltd. Ganzhou Tengyuan Cobalt New Materials Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Tianneng New Materials Co., Ltd. Guangdong Fangyuan New Material Group Co., Ltd. Guizhou CNGR New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Keyking Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Meiduo Technology Co., Ltd. Anhui Nandu Huabo New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Shanxi Yaxin Green Qingyuan Circular Technology Co., Ltd. Henan Zhongxin New Materials Co., Ltd. At the banquet on the first day of the CLNB 2026 (The 11th New Energy Industry Chain Expo), Zhengyong Huang, Deputy General Manager of the Iron Phosphate Division of Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., and Liang Liu, Deputy General Manager of the Energy Storage Division of REPT Battero Energy Co., Ltd., took the stage to receive the awards on behalf of the award winning enterprises. Shirley Wang, Vice President of SMM, presented awards to the winners! SMM congratulates the above award-winning enterprises and thanks all industry peers for their support!

Recycling Industry Events This Week (April 4.27-4.30)

The project is named "Jiangxi Longkai Circular Technology Co., Ltd. Retired Lithium Battery Comprehensive Recycling and Cascade Regeneration Project." It is a new construction project, with four processing systems: a spent lithium battery cascade utilization and pretreatment system (including 2 lines for spent ternary lithium battery cascade utilization and pretreatment, and 4 lines for spent lithium iron phosphate battery cascade utilization and pretreatment), a spent ternary lithium battery powder comprehensive recovery system, a spent lithium iron phosphate battery powder comprehensive recovery system, and a lithium carbonate production system.

This week (4.17–4.23), solid-state battery industrialization accelerated sharply. GreatPower struck two strategic deals and advanced a 2.8-billion-yuan project; PingAn and Jinghe Energy put all-solid-state pilot lines into operation with energy density over 400Wh/kg. Sinocera Materials launched an automated sulphide electrolyte line, while Gotion signed the world’s first 20,000-ton solid-state key material project. CATL also unveiled its Kirin condensed-state battery.

The 2026 SMM (21st) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry Expo opened grandly at Howard Johnson Agile Plaza in Chengdu, Sichuan during March 25–27 2026. Organized by SMM, the event brought together global enterprises, professional experts and industry peers from across the entire lead and zinc supply chain. Participants focused on industry hot topics, analyzed market trends and explored development strategies, establishing a highly efficient platform for communication and collaboration to support high-quality growth of the sector. To further strengthen the overseas delegation’s comprehensive understanding of China’s lead and zinc industrial chain and build closer connections between international industry peers and key producers in China, SMM led a high-level overseas delegation on a multi-day industrial tour starting on the afternoon of March 27. The delegation included representatives from global giants, such as Nyrstar, a top European lead and zinc smelting firm, Nexa Resources, a South American giant in lead-zinc mining and smelting, and Befesa, a pioneer in zinc recycling. During the tour, the delegation visited 8 Chinese enterprises. including: COSCO Shipping Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Hongzhou Hongqian Nonferrous Chemical Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Mengzi Mining & Metallurgy Danxia Smelter of Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet The delegation members went deep into production sites, held in-depth discussions and exchanges, and gained a full picture of China’s lead and zinc industry in terms of production operations, technological innovation, capacity scale and market layout, greatly enhancing their insight into and understanding of the entire industrial chain. SMM has systematically compiled detailed information of all enterprises that were visited during this tour, with details below: COSCO Shipping On the afternoon of March 27, the delegation visited COSCO Shipping for an exchange, where they received a warm welcome from the company's leadership. Both sides engaged in discussions on topics such as equipment transportation and technological upgrades. Sichuan COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Co., Ltd., registered and established in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, with an investment of 30 million yuan. COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Co., Ltd. is affiliated with China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited and serves as a core member of the "shipping, ports, and logistics" segment of COSCO Shipping Group, as well as an important component of its global digital supply chain system. The company operates warehouse space exceeding 6 million m², including 19 futures delivery warehouses. China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited is a globally leading shipping enterprise group, with a combined fleet capacity of 130 million DWT across 1,535 vessels, ranking first in the world. Sichuan COSCO Shipping Logistics Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. holds business qualifications and an operational scope covering multiple transportation modes including sea, land, air, and rail, providing comprehensive logistics services spanning both international and Chinese markets. Since entering the non-ferrous metals delivery warehouse business in 2016, the company has adhered to the principle of "client-centered and market-oriented," continuously enhancing its service capabilities and achieving steady business growth. Currently, at key logistics periods such as Shanghai Baoshan, Shanghai Yangshan, and Yixing in Jiangsu, the company successfully operates delivery warehouses designated by the Shanghai Futures Exchange for copper, nickel, zinc, and other products. It has become one of the three major non-ferrous metals warehouses of SHFE and was honored with the title of "Top Ten Designated Non-Ferrous Metals Delivery Warehouses" by the Shanghai Futures Exchange for two consecutive years. Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. On March 28, the delegation visited Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. (Shimian City). Both sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on the development of the zinc smelting industry, with a focus on thorough discussions regarding product processing, production techniques, capacity scale, market trends, and the current challenges facing the industry. Sichuan Chengtun Zinc & Germanium Technology Co., Ltd. was established on December 6, 2015, with a registered capital of 1.6 billion yuan. The company has an annual capacity of 300,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, 150,000 mt of sulphuric acid, 400,000 mt of electrolytic zinc waste residue processing, and 40 mt of high-purity germanium dioxide. On January 16, 2019, the company was approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission and merged into the publicly listed firm Chengtun Mining Group Co., Ltd. The company's main business includes smelting and R&D of zinc-germanium series products, as well as comprehensive recovery of multiple metals. It has formed a complete industry chain from zinc concentrates entering the plant to finished products leaving the plant. Its production lines include zinc calcine, electrolytic zinc, electrolytic zinc waste residue processing, and comprehensive recovery of rare and precious metals. Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. (Shimian City) On March 28, the delegation headed to Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. (Shimian City) for a visit and exchange, where they received a warm reception from the enterprise. Both parties held in-depth discussions and exchanges on zinc smelting, covering topics such as production costs, production and market landscape, raw material procurement and processing, industry chain competitive advantages, and distinctive process technologies. Sichuan Kunshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. is a specialized and green environmental protection enterprise jointly invested and established by Sichuan Metallurgical Holding Group Co., Ltd. and Shimian Dongshun Zinc Industry Co., Ltd. to implement the national green production philosophy, actively develop the circular economy, and promote the comprehensive utilization of solid waste resources. It integrates solid waste treatment, recycling, and resource regeneration. The company primarily uses high-tech methods to carry out clean utilization and harmless treatment of heavy metal-containing waste generated by industries such as metallurgy and chemicals, eliminating the environmental impact of heavy metal solid waste at the source. The company was established in 2021 and is located in Zhuma Industrial Park, Shimian County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, covering an area of 65 mu with a total investment of 180 million yuan. The company has built a 3.5m × 50m Waelz rotary kiln production line, equipped with advanced and well-established low-grade zinc oxide production technology, achieving a resource recovery utilization rate of over 95% and effectively managing waste gas, noise, solid waste, and groundwater risks. It is also equipped with supporting facilities including desulphurization, denitrification, and flue gas defogging towers, as well as a wastewater treatment station, raw material warehouse, raw material pre-washing workshop, water slag processing workshop, biomass semi-gasification furnace, zinc crystallized salt workshop, production safety and environmental protection center, and laboratory for detection and testing. The company holds qualifications for treating hazardous waste categories including HW12, HW17, HW23, HW48, and HW49, with an annual capacity to process 100,000 mt of zinc-containing waste. Its main products include low-grade zinc oxide and zinc crystallized salt. The company has always upheld the green and environmentally friendly development philosophy, adhering to the fundamentals of "being responsible for the environment, for clients, and for employees," guided by technological innovation, and targeting the "reduction, recycling, and detoxification" of solid waste pollution prevention and control. The company is committed to building a modern "solid waste" management and disposal service provider, actively carrying out emergency environmental protection disposal, proactively assuming social service functions, and making positive contributions to promoting the circular economy development in Sichuan and strengthening the ecological civilization construction of lucid waters and lush mountains! Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. (Qujing City) On March 30, the delegation visited Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. (Qujing City) for exchanges. During the meeting, both sides conducted in-depth discussions on key topics including magnesium removal process optimization, production management organization, and raw material substitution plans, and put forward constructive suggestions on improving the plant environment. Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. was established to fully leverage Luoping's local hydropower and lead-zinc mineral resource advantages. In accordance with the "ore, electricity, and smelting integration" development strategy proposed by the Luoping County Party Committee and County Government, and the overall requirements of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government for the reform of industrial enterprises across the city, the company was registered and established at the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce on December 21, 2000. It was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange A-share market in 2007 and is a state-controlled enterprise under Luoping County. The company's assets are an optimized combination of three components: hydropower, lead-zinc mines, and zinc smelting. In terms of company assets, they are primarily composed of three advantageous resources of Luoping: mineral, hydropower, and zinc smelting. These mainly include six production units: Luoping County Fule Lead-Zinc Mine with an annual processing capacity of 100,000 mt of raw ore, Lazhuang Power Plant with annual power generation of 250 million kWh (installed capacity of 60,000 kW), a zinc smelter with an annual output of 120,000 mt of electrolytic zinc, a zinc powder plant with an annual output of 12,000 mt of ultra-fine zinc powder, a comprehensive utilization plant with an annual processing capacity of 129,500 mt of zinc slag, and a sulphuric acid plant with an annual output of 140,000 mt of sulphuric acid, achieving a total annual industrial output value exceeding 2 billion yuan. The company has six wholly-owned subsidiaries. The company's main businesses include hydropower generation, mining of lead, zinc, and other non-ferrous metals, as well as the production and sales of zinc smelting and its extended products. It is currently the only publicly listed firm in China's zinc smelting industry that integrates mining, power generation, chemical processing, and smelting. Its products include zinc sulphide concentrates, lead concentrates, zinc ingots, industrial sulphuric acid, ultra-fine zinc powder, cadmium, germanium concentrates, silver concentrates, copper concentrates, zinc alloys, industrial and residential electricity, edible oils and fats, among others. Its main product, "Jiulong" brand zinc ingots, is popular in non-ferrous product markets in and outside China thanks to its superior product quality and corporate reputation. Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. On March 31, the delegation visited Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. for exchanges. The two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including the economic benefits of smelting by-products, energy utilization efficiency, the current status of enterprise development, and future cooperation intentions. Honghe Prefecture Hongqian Non-ferrous Chemical Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. was established on August 1, 2007, with a registered capital of 50 million yuan. The total investment in project construction was 475.5543 million yuan. The company currently has over 600 employees and covers an area of 443 mu. The plant is located in the Heishenmiaobo Industrial Zone, situated in the central area of the Gejiu-Kaiyuan-Mengzi urban cluster. The company is a new-type joint-stock enterprise centered on crude lead smelting, integrating sulphur dioxide acid production, waste heat power generation, lead electrolysis, and recovery of precious and rare metals such as gold, silver, antimony, and bismuth, with further extension into deep processing of lead-series products including red lead, massicot, electrode plates, and storage batteries. It is a benchmark enterprise among private lead smelters in the city, featuring a relatively large scale, advanced technology, compliance with environmental protection standards, comprehensive utilization of resources, and a complete industry chain. The company pioneered the application of new technologies to upgrade and transform the traditional crude lead smelting model among private enterprises in the city. The company has formulated the working philosophy of "prioritizing environmental protection, ensuring safety, attracting talent, enforcing strict management, and enhancing efficiency," and continues to drive high-quality development. In April 2007, the company commissioned China ENFI Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. to conduct a feasibility study on the lead smelting technological transformation project, and determined a comprehensive industrial facility technological transformation project with a total investment of 490 million yuan and an annual capacity of 60,000 mt of crude lead. On December 21, 2009, the "Demonstration Project of Oxygen-Enriched Bottom-Blowing Lead Smelting Technology with Annual Output of 60,000 mt of Crude Lead" was designated by the Provincial Department of Science and Technology as a 2009 Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Project. In 2010, it was further designated as a key industrial project by the provincial, prefectural, and municipal governments. On November 14, 2011, the company obtained ISO9001:2008 quality management system certification. On March 7, 2012, "HSPb99.94PCT" was successfully registered on the London Metal Exchange. In 2019, the company successively passed the safety completion acceptance and environmental impact assessment completion acceptance, fully achieving compliant operations and sustainable development. Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. On March 31, the delegation headed to Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. for a visit and exchange. Both parties conducted in-depth discussions on topics including Yunnan Province's mineral resource endowment, smelting industry development trends, corporate business strategies, and technological innovation applications, jointly assessing the current status and prospects of the industry and analyzing the challenges and opportunities ahead. Yunnan Zhenxing Industrial Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Group") was founded in 1996 and is located in the Chongposhao New Materials Industrial Park, Shadian Sub-district Office, Gejiu City. The Group currently has 7 subsidiaries, 2 holding companies, and 1 equity-participation company, with approximately 3,000 employees. Its capacity reaches annual output of crude lead (100,000 mt), electrolytic lead (60,000 mt), zinc ingot (20,000 mt), lead-acid battery plates (9 million sets), lead-acid batteries (6 million units), superphosphate (350,000 mt), sulphuric acid (200,000 mt), and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) (60,000 mt). The Group has established five major production sites and five major product brands covering crude lead raw material, lead-zinc smelting, power supply manufacturing, fertilizer and chemical production, and resource recovery. It has formed an internal industrial cycle spanning lead ore mining—lead-zinc smelting—lead-based alloy melting—battery manufacturing—waste battery recycling—precious metals production, making it one of the few private non-ferrous enterprises in China with a complete lead industry chain. Since 2013, the Group has been consecutively recognized as one of the Top 100 Non-Public Enterprises in Yunnan Province. In 2025, it ranked 41st among the "Top 100 Non-Public Enterprises in Yunnan Province" and was selected for the first time into the "Top 20 Private Enterprises in Innovation Capability," ranking 7th. Yunnan Shadian Lead Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary controlled by the Group, ranked 71st. The Group has received nearly 100 honors at various levels, including "High-tech Enterprise," "Outstanding Private Technology Enterprise," "Enterprise with Harmonious Labor Relations," "Provincial Model Collective for Ethnic Unity and Progress," and "Key Enterprise for Industrial Development in Honghe Prefecture" in Yunnan Province. The Group's Yunsha brand lead ingot was successfully registered on the London Metal Exchange in 2007 and on the Shanghai Futures Exchange in 2020. In 2021, the Group was rated AAA in enterprise credit rating in the national non-ferrous metals industry. In August 2024, it was designated as a "Qiangyuan Zhuqi" Industry-Finance Service Base by the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Looking ahead, the Group will pursue the philosophy of "seeking survival, pursuing development, and accelerating enterprise transformation and upgrading," adhering to the working approach of "rooting in Honghe, basing in Yunnan, radiating to surrounding regions, and expanding across China." It will thoroughly implement strategies of enterprise management transformation, technology-driven development, talent empowerment, and sustainable development, striving to achieve significant increases in capacity and production of major products by 2035, with gross industrial output value up YoY, and to build itself into a 10 billion green lead-zinc comprehensive recycling technology enterprise. Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. On March 31, SMM and the field trip delegation headed to Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. for a visit and exchange. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on the entire zinc smelting process, covering topics including production technology, raw material supply, product sales, environmental protection governance, and future development plans, aiming to share experience, address industry pain points, and jointly clarify the direction of development. Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. was established in 1996. It is a resource-based mining and metallurgy enterprise integrating R&D, exploration, mining, mineral processing, smelting, and trading, with a focus on comprehensive utilization of resources. The company is one of the few comprehensive private enterprises in the non-ferrous metal industry that possesses an entire industry chain and operates independent trading and supply chain business platforms. It is among the top 100 enterprises in Yunnan Province and a key enterprise in Honghe Prefecture. Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co., Ltd. — Danxia Smelter On April 2, the SMM delegation visited Zhongjin Lingnan's Danxia Smelter for a survey and field trip to the core plant area. In-depth discussions were held on production operations, technological R&D, and raw material procurement, covering key topics such as production capacity, technical cooperation, and raw material procurement strategies. Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Zhongjin Lingnan") was established in September 1984 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in January 1997 (stock code: 000060). It is an internationalized entire industry chain resource company primarily engaged in lead, zinc, and copper mining, mineral processing, and smelting, as well as comprehensive recovery of rare, scattered, and precious metals. It is a publicly listed firm controlled by Guangsheng Holdings Group, a key wholly state-owned enterprise under Guangdong Province. Zhongjin Lingnan's business covers segments including mines, smelting, new materials, and supply chains. It has 23 directly affiliated enterprises, wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Major operating entities include Fankou Lead-Zinc Mine, Shaoguan Smelter, Danxia Smelter, Zhongjin Copper Co., Guangxi Mining Co., Perilya Limited in Australia, Zhongjin Technology Co., and Huajiari Co. The company has an annual output of 300,000 mt of lead and zinc metal content in concentrates, 450,000 mt of smelted lead and zinc products, 450,000 mt of copper cathode, 21,000 mt of aluminum extrusion, 20,000 mt of battery zinc powder, and 5,400 mt of composite metal materials. Among these, its battery zinc powder ranked first in Chinese market share, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium battery electrode sheets & plates materials ranked first in Chinese market share, and thermal bimetal ranked first in Chinese market share. The 2026 field trip brought together some global lead and zinc industry leaders for an inspiring and highly productive journey across China’s leading smelters and enterprises. The warm welcome, operational excellence, and innovative technologies on display made this event a resounding success — and we extend our deepest gratitude to all the companies and participants who made it happen. Looking ahead – Save the date for 2027: We are excited to announce that the 2027 SMM (22nd) Lead & Zinc Conference and Industry EXPO will take place from March 17–19, 2027 in Kunming, Yunnan, China . This premier event will once again bring together the global lead-zinc community for high-level networking, insight sharing, and industrial exploration. Interactive call – We want to hear from you: As we plan the field trip for the 2027 conference, we’d love your input. Which smelters or companies would you most like to visit for technical exchange and on-site learning? Please share your suggestions in the comments below — your feedback will help shape the 2027 experience. Let us know where the industry should go next!