Dear User, As a key intermediate product in the lithium industry chain, lithium sulfate serves as a primary raw material for producing core lithium chemicals such as battery-grade lithium carbonate and battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Its supply and price influence the costs of downstream lithium battery materials and market operations. Currently, the lithium sulfate market lacks open and transparent representative price references. International trade and procurement pricing largely rely on bilateral negotiations, leading to issues such as information asymmetry and delayed price transmission. With lithium sulfate production from African lithium producers, represented by the Zimbabwe region, commencing and gradually entering the market, SMM has compiled and launched the " Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China) Price " to promote standardized and transparent pricing for African lithium sulfate and enhance the efficiency of the industry chain. This price aims to objectively reflect the market conditions of African lithium sulfate arriving at main Chinese ports. It will provide a reliable price benchmark for producers, traders, downstream enterprises, and financial institutions, supporting the standardized development and price discovery of the global lithium resources market. SMM's "Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China)" was officially launched today (January 21, 2026) . Details are as follows: Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China), Specification: Li₂SO₄·H₂O content ≥80% Product Name: Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China) Quality Standard: Li₂SO₄·H₂O content ≥80% Definition: CIF main Chinese ports Unit: $/mt Minimum Trading Volume: 60 mt Delivery Period: 2 months Release Time: Weekdays, 12:00 Beijing Time Payment Terms: Letter of credit, telegraphic transfer, or documents against payment other payment terms require separate negotiation. Welcome more relevant enterprises in the industry chain to participate and support SMM in better serving new energy industry chain enterprises. Shirley Wang 021-5166-6838 wangcong@smm.cn Thomas Feng 021-5166-6714 fengdisheng@smm.cn Sylvia Wang 021-5166-6914 wangzihan@smm.cn Jessica Wang 021-5159-5902 wangjie@smm.cn Faith Zhang 021-5166-6878 faithzhang@smm.cn Shanghai Metals Market New Energy Research Team January 21, 2026
PriceJan 21, 2026 15:19To Our Valued Users, Hello! As a key intermediate product in the lithium industry chain, lithium sulfate serves as a primary raw material for producing core lithium salts such as battery-grade lithium carbonate and battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Its supply and pricing directly impact the cost of downstream lithium battery materials and overall market operations. Currently, the lithium sulfate market lacks open and transparent representative price benchmarks, with international trade and procurement pricing largely reliant on bilateral negotiations, leading to issues such as information asymmetry and delays in price transmission. With lithium sulfate production from relevant African lithium producers, represented by the Zimbabwe region, commencing and gradually entering the market, SMM has developed and is now launching the "Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China) Price" to promote the standardization and transparency of African lithium sulfate pricing and enhance the efficiency of industrial chain collaboration. This initiative aims to objectively reflect the market conditions of African lithium sulfate arriving at major Chinese ports, providing a reliable price benchmark for producers, traders, downstream enterprises, and financial institutions, thereby supporting the standardized development and price discovery of the global lithium resource market. Release time:2026.Jan.22 The price will be updated every business day at 12:00 Beijing Time for market reference. Product Name: Africa Lithium Sulfate (CIF China) Quality Standard: Li₂SO₄·H₂O content ≥ 80% Definition: CIF major Chinese ports Unit: USD/ton Minimum Transaction Volume: 60 tons Delivery Period: 2 months Release Time: Every business day at 12:00 Beijing Time Payment Terms: Letter of Credit (L/C), Telegraphic Transfer (T/T), or Documents Against Payment (D/P). Other payment terms are subject to negotiation. We welcome more relevant enterprises across the industrial chain to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry. Shirley Wang 021-51666838 wangcong@smm.cn Thomas Feng 021-51666714 fengdisheng@smm.cn Sylvia Wang 021-51666914 wangzihan@smm.cn Jessica Wang 021-51595902 wangjie@smm.cn Faith Zhang 021-51666878 faithzhang@smm.cn Shanghai Metals Market New Energy Research Team January 20, 2026
PriceJan 20, 2026 18:48SMM launches graded price points for hafnium oxide and crystal hafnium to enhance pricing reference for the hafnium industry.
PriceMar 9, 2026 14:03Driven by intensifying global competition for energy and mineral resources, the reshaping of refined copper trade flows, and the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing policies, the U.S. market has once again emerged as a key pricing anchor in international refined copper distribution. According to SMM research, U.S. annual refined copper consumption is estimated at 1.6–1.8 million metric tons, with the Midwest — home to a high concentration of copper-intensive manufacturing — serving as the country’s largest region for copper processing, delivery, and end-use. Over time, this region has developed a mature spot trading market under the DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) delivery model. Since 2025, global copper trade dynamics have shifted significantly. The U.S. has become increasingly reliant on imports from Latin America, Europe, and Africa. With frequent tariff policy changes, a surge in COMEX stock levels, more active trade tenders, and renewed long-term contract negotiations, the Midwest DDP premium has become an essential reference point for industrial trade and arbitrage models across the supply chain. Against this backdrop, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) will officially launch the Copper grade 1 cathode premium, ddp Midwest US on February 1, 2026. Quoted in US cents per pound (¢/lb), this premium will be based on representative spot DDP trades in the U.S. Midwest. The price reflects a weighted average considering warehouse transfer costs, regional logistics fees, trading activity levels, and brand preferences — offering an objective and actionable settlement benchmark for market participants. The price will be updated daily and published on both the SMM official website. Historical curves and price analytics will also be made available. This price release aims to enhance pricing transparency across the refined copper supply chain and provide more granular tools for trade execution, long-term contract negotiations, and production planning — supporting more efficient and accurate price discovery in the global market. Key specifications of the SMM U.S. Midwest DDP Refined Copper Premium are as follows:
PriceJan 20, 2026 09:45COMEX Inventory Data Date Adjustment
DataFeb 4, 2026 15:26Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) officially launched the Copper grade A cathode premium, cif Rotterdam, USD/(tonne) on February 24th, 2026.
PriceFeb 11, 2026 10:00In recent years, Guinea has played a pivotal role in the global bauxite market, standing as the world's largest bauxite producer. In 2024, the country exported 1.23 billion tons of bauxite, with approximately 90% destined for China, making it the most critical source of bauxite imports for China. The remainder was exported to regions such as India (3%) and Europe (1%). Against the backdrop of tight shipping capacity and the significant impact of freight and bunker adjustment costs on landed costs, SMM is responding to the strong focus from industry chain participants on FOB prices for Guinean bauxite. To more accurately reflect the intrinsic value of bauxite and refocus market attention from CIF prices (which include freight) to FOB prices themselves, SMM has decided to: Commencing November 7, 2025, SMM will officially launch one new price: Guinea Bauxite FOB (Al2O3: 45%, SiO2: 3%, FOB Guinea, $/dmt) Details of this price point are as follows: Shanghai Metals Market Aluminum Research Departmen 6th November, 2025
PriceNov 6, 2025 10:49Dear User: Hello! Due to an error on our part, the data for "Li-ion Battery Export by Country" under the new energy category was incorrect. We are now making corrections to this set of indicator data. I. Scope of Adjustment The quantity and average price indicator data under the database category "New Energy-Lithium-ion Battery-Lithium Ion Battery-Export-Li-ion Battery Export by Country" II. Adjustment Details 1. The export quantity of lithium-ion batteries by country is adjusted to: current data value × 1,000. 2. The average export price of lithium-ion batteries by country is adjusted to: current data value ÷ 1,000. This correction will take effect on December 12, 2025. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and trouble caused and will strive to avoid such issues in our future work.
DataDec 2, 2025 18:26Against this backdrop, SMM will begin publishing the US Midwest DDP aluminum premium starting February 27, 2026. Through daily market communication, SMM will introduce ......
PriceFeb 13, 2026 15:04Indonesia holds over 60% of the world's nickel reserves and plays a central role in nickel resource supply and processing. In 2023, Indonesia achieved a breakthrough in refined nickel exports, increasing from zero to substantial volumes, with exports reaching 43,600 mt in 2024. New refined nickel projects are currently under construction, and Indonesia's refined nickel capacity is expected to increase to 180,000 mt by 2026. Future exports are anticipated to expand further, making Indonesia's refined nickel price trends significantly influential in the global nickel market. To actively respond to changes in the Indonesian refined nickel market, meet the urgent needs of users for Indonesian refined nickel FOB prices, and enhance market information transparency, SMM has decided: Starting from September 19, 2025, to publish the‘SMM Indonesia Refined Nickel, FOB Indonesia, USD/tonne’price Price details are as follows: Description: SMM Indonesia Refined Nickel, FOB Indonesia, USD/tonne Quality: Ni 99.80% min Definition: FOB Indonesia main ports Unit: USD/tonne Quantity: Min 30 tonnes Timing: 1-3 months Payment Terms: L/C/TT at sight in USD , or other payment terms normalized Publication: Weekly, Friday 10:30 AM Jakarta Time
PriceSep 11, 2025 16:48