Discontinuation of Iron Ore Data Points in the SMM Database
PriceMar 13, 2026 16:19Discontinuation and Addition of Iron Ore Data Points in the SMM Database
PriceMar 6, 2026 19:02In the recent years, the proportion of bauxite ore in Indonesia kept on increasing in the mineral sector. Following the export ban and downstreaming initiatives by the Indonesian government, the bauxite industry will be expected to grow steadily. The valuation and pricing mechanisms for Indonesia bauxite ore in the market are drawing close attention from participants across the supply chain. To proactively address the potential downstreaming market shifts and enhance market transparency, SMM has decided: Commencing November 7, 2025, SMM will officially launch one new price: Indonesian Bauxite (Al2O3: 47%, SiO2: 5%,delivered to destination port,Indonesia,$/wmt) Details of this price point are as follows: Description: Indonesian Bauxite (Al2O3: 47%, SiO2: 5%,delivered to destination port,Indonesia,$/wmt) Quality: Total alumina 47% total silica 5% Fe 14% min, 20% max moisture content 20% max titanium 2% max Quantity: Minimum 50000 wmt Definition: delivered to destination port Brand Listing: Antam, Cita Mineral Investindo Timing: 1-2 Months Unit: USD/wmt Payment Terms: L/C/TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized Publication: Weekly, Friday by 12:00 PM Jakarta Time
PriceNov 4, 2025 11:12Dear User, Greetings! In recent years, the development of the secondary zinc industry has attracted significant attention however, the domestic supply of secondary zinc oxide has become increasingly tight. In contrast, Southeast Asia boasts abundant resources of secondary zinc oxide raw materials at relatively low prices, which has prompted many Chinese enterprises to establish production facilities in the region, with a considerable number choosing Vietnam. Meanwhile, amid growing uncertainties in international trade, an increasing number of companies are relocating their plants to Vietnam to achieve integrated procurement, production, and sales, gradually forming a market trend. To keep pace with the globalization of international trade and the market development of secondary zinc oxide both domestically and overseas, and to reflect the true price fluctuations of secondary zinc oxide in the global market, SMM plans to launch the CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable . The SMM CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable is an indicative price formed and published by SMM according to this methodology, which can be used by trading parties as a reference for settling secondary zinc oxide trades from Vietnam. This price reflects the mainstream price of the CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable for each month. The price will be officially launched on November 28, 2025, and historical prices can be viewed simultaneously on the SMM website (smm.cn). The price will be published by 18:00 on the last working day of each month. Price Definition: The mainstream transaction price of CIF Imported Secondary Zinc Oxide Payable in actual trades during the month. Going forward, SMM will continue to monitor changes in the zinc industry chain market, optimize SMM prices, and better serve the industry! For any inquiries regarding the price, please contact Zinc Analyst Hua Lin at 021-20707885 hualin@smm.cn. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Zinc Research Team November 21, 2025
PriceNov 21, 2025 18:11In recent years, with the steady development of Malaysia's manufacturing and stainless steel processing industries, the local stainless steel scrap recycling system has become increasingly mature. The number of recyclers, sorting facilities, and reprocessing enterprises has grown significantly, and the proportion of locally recycled scrap in the circular economy continues to rise, providing strong support for regional stainless steel raw material supply. Meanwhile, Malaysia has become one of the main sources of stainless steel scrap imported by India. According to trade statistics, Malaysia exported approximately 107,000 tons of stainless steel scrap to India in 2024, reflecting strong linkage between the two countries in raw material recycling. Large domestic recycling and processing enterprises possess advanced sorting and reprocessing capabilities, enabling them to classify and process regional scrap and steadily supply high-quality materials to major Asian stainless steel producers in Japan, South Korea, and elsewhere. Against the backdrop of a diversified regional raw material structure and growing value of recycled resources, Malaysia's domestic ex-works stainless steel scrap prices have become an important reference indicator for the Southeast Asian stainless steel industry. To meet market demand, enhance price transparency, and help industry participants stay informed of regional price trends, SMM announces that effective October 30, 2025 , it will officially launch: Malaysia 304 SS Scrap,Ex-works Malaysia,USD/tonne Price specifications: Description: Malaysia 304 SS Scrap,Ex-works Malaysia,USD/tonne Quality: Commercial practice standard. Approx. Ni 8%, Cr 18%, non-magnetic, clean scrap, free from oil, coating, and visible impurities. No radioactive or hazardous waste. Definition: Ex-works Malaysia Unit: USD/tonne Quantity: Minimum 10 tonnes Timing: Prompt Publication: 11:30 a.m. Kuala Lumpur time Payment Terms: Cash on same day,other payment terms normalized SMM Nickel & Stainless Steel Industry Research Department October 29, 2025
PriceOct 29, 2025 13:30Dear 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 18:48Driven 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 09:45Dear Users, Greetings! Against the backdrop of profound changes in the global chromium resource landscape, to better serve participants in the chromium industry chain and facilitate connectivity in the global chromium market, SMM has launched the "Global Ferrochrome Supply-Demand Balance" and "Global Chromium Ore Supply-Demand Balance" datasets after extensive groundwork and market research. The datasets date back to 2020, with annual updates for the previous year and forecasts for the current year released on March 1st each year. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your long-standing trust and support for SMM's data services. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. SMM Nickel Research Team January 9, 2026
DataJan 9, 2026 18:05Dear Client, To keep pace with the rapid development of the magnesium metal industry and the growing need for supply-demand pattern analysis, our company has deeply optimized the data model based on the SMM Magnesium Database and is now systematically upgrading and adjusting the data standards and historical data related to magnesium metal in China. The details are as follows: I. Data Standard Upgrades and Data Revision Notes Background of Adjustments With the rapid growth in demand for magnesium alloys in the downstream sector of magnesium metal, the market landscape is evolving rapidly. For instance, technological iterations in die-casting equipment, differences in the penetration rate of thick and thin magnesium alloy die-cast parts, and recycling rates, among other multidimensional factors, have a significant impact on the production of recycled magnesium. To promptly address the industry's need for supply-demand pattern analysis amid its rapid development, adjustments have been made to the data collection standards for "recycled magnesium production," "primary magnesium production," and "total magnesium metal demand," with historical data also being revised. Previous data collection did not account for the supply of recycled magnesium, which could lead to significant deviations in supply estimates. As the SMM Magnesium Database becomes increasingly comprehensive and detailed, a more robust model has been established. Adjustment Details - Data Source Upgrade: Upgraded from a single primary magnesium market supply and demand dataset to the establishment of a dual supply-demand model for magnesium metal, encompassing both primary and recycled sources. - Revision Scope: Historical data from January 1, 2023, to the present (including retrospective revisions and future forecasts). Effective Date From October 30, 2025 SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. SMM Magnesium Research Team Jiao Jiani 021-20707954 October 27, 2025
DataNov 4, 2025 16:36