As of March 24, titanium dioxide prices continued to rise, with the SMM index up 4.6% since early 2026. Two rounds of price hikes were issued in March amid low inventories. Strong exports and production cuts supported gains, though sustainability post-peak season remains uncertain, hinging on downstream acceptance.

On November 14 2025, Malaysia launched the region’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery passport standard, MS 2018 Similar to initiatives under the European DDP for battery industry, MS 2818 will serve as a digital record of the EV battery lifecycle, from production to disposal. It is intended to support transparency, sustainability, and traceability across the entire EV supply chain.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Alcoa Arconic’s Davenport, Iowa Plant Arconic held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $175 million investment project at its Davenport, Iowa plant. The project will add a state-of-the-art aluminum casting complex to the facility. For company leadership, the No. 10 Pit expansion project represented both growth in the manufacturing business and a long-term commitment to the region. With expanded capacity, advanced technology, and a focus on efficiency and sustainability, Arconic was positioning itself and the local community for the next generation of industrial growth. Once completed, No. 10 Pit will significantly expand casting ingot capacity, increase aluminum scrap recycling, and improve overall energy efficiency.

[SMM Titanium Spot Update: High Costs Drive a Second Titanium Dioxide Price Increase Within the Month, While Diverging Domestic and External Demand Tests the Sustainability of the Hike] In mid-March, titanium dioxide enterprises in China collectively issued a second round of price increase notices within the month, raising domestic prices by 500 yuan/mt and export prices by $100/mt, mainly because elevated sulphuric acid prices forced cost pass-through. At present, enterprises are operating at full capacity, but mediocre domestic demand and foreign trade constrained by geopolitical factors have intensified market divergence. Expectations of tighter sulphuric acid supply still support confidence to hold prices firm, but the sustainability of the price increase remains to be verified by follow-up demand.

[Zinc Prices Fell During the Week, Guangdong Spot Premiums Rose] Guangdong premiums rose 20 yuan/mt WoW this week. As of this Friday, mainstream 0# zinc in Guangdong was quoted at discounts of 0 to premiums of 40 yuan/mt against the market, and the Shanghai-Guangdong price spread continued to widen......

Digital Product Passports (DPP) introduced by the EU as part of regulatory of promoting sustainability, with batteries being the first products to be implemented. Battery passport collects data of lifecycle, durability, performance, and composition. These information helps manufacturing and end-of-life processes more circular, while enable consumers in making informed choices. The following batteries placed on or put into service in the EU market will be required for battery passport, starting from February 2027: Electric vehicle (EV) batteries; Light means of transport (LMT) batteries, such as e-bikes and e-scooters; Industrial batteries with a capacity above 2 kWh, such as those used in industrial activities, or energy storage.