On March 27, at the “Forum on Innovative Development of Cross-Border Data Flows” of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference, CAAM and the Beijing Representative Office of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Cross-Border Automotive Data Flows and Advancing High-Quality Industry Development. Upholding the principles of complementary advantages, resource sharing, mutually reinforcing development, and win-win cooperation, the two sides will strengthen policy exchanges in the field of cross-border automotive data flows, promote innovative applications of digital technologies to empower cross-border automotive data flows, facilitate positive interaction between regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders, and provide automakers with more opportunities for cooperation and development.

At the "Forum on Innovative Development of Cross-Border Data Flows" of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference, CAAM and the Beijing Representative Office of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Cross-Border Automotive Data Flows and Advancing High-Quality Industry Development

SMM News, March 27: Lead prices operated at low levels this week, and secondary lead smelters generally lowered their purchase prices for scrap batteries. Today’s average purchase prices were: waste e-bike battery at 9,775 yuan/mt, waste automotive lead-acid battery (white shell) at 9,875 yuan/mt, and waste automotive starter lead-acid battery (black shell) at 10,075 yuan/mt. Quotes in the recycling market diverged, with some traders raising prices to 9,450 yuan/mt to attract cargoes, squeezing profits, while others lowered prices to 9,250 yuan/mt, with recycling volume constrained. Affected by sluggish downstream consumption, relatively low retirements, weaker prices, and end-users holding back cargoes, recycling volume this week was half the normal level. After the Qingming Festival, the pace of smelter resumptions is expected to gradually accelerate, and demand for raw material procurement is likely to be released. In addition, with raw material inventories at some smelters still at low levels, this is expected to provide some support for scrap battery prices. Going forward, continued attention should be paid to lead price trends and developments in smelter production and maintenance. » Subscribe to View Historical SMM Metal Spot Prices

This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China rebounded 1.1 percentage points MoM to 64%.

[Dual Momentum in the Magnesium Industry: Coordinated Empowerment of New Development Through Salt Lake Resource Security and Breakthroughs in End-Use Applications] As one of the lightest known structural metallic materials, magnesium combines outstanding properties such as light weight, high strength, and high thermal conductivity, making it a core strategic material supporting industrial upgrading in sectors such as automotive lightweighting and new energy materials. China’s magnesium industry is advancing on two fronts, simultaneously promoting breakthroughs in end-use application technologies and securing raw material supply, overcoming bottlenecks in industrial development and supporting the high-quality development of the magnesium industry.

According to EUROMETAL reports, the European automotive components sector faces mounting pressure from Chinese competition, rising imports, and stagnant growth. At the EUROMETAL Steel Day, Autoliv's Cosmin Bakai noted global light vehicle production will grow ~1.3% by 2030, but Europe remains weak. While Chinese automakers plan facilities in Europe, initial capacities (50,000-100,000 units) won't immediately drive major local steel demand. Crucially, component trade is outpacing vehicle trade; Chinese component imports to the EU doubled over three years to $8 billion. Meanwhile, $11 billion in EU component exports to the US face tariff pressures. Consequently, the short-to-medium-term outlook for European automotive steel demand remains bleak.

According to a recent report by Credence Research Inc., the global steel wire market is projected to grow from $111.9 billion in 2024 to $153.18 billion by 2032, registering a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. This expansion is primarily driven by robust demand from the automotive, construction, energy, and industrial machinery sectors, alongside increasing adoption of galvanized, coated, and high-performance alloy/stainless wires. Asia Pacific currently dominates the market with over 45% share, fueled by rapid urbanization and infrastructure investments in China, India, and Southeast Asia, while Europe and North America follow with 22% and 18% shares respectively.

According to industry sources on the 25th, the French government announced the launch of the “France Batterie” alliance at the gigafactory of Automotive Cell Company (ACC) located in Billy-Berclau, northern France. ProLogium Technology, a solid-state battery company backed by investments from POSCO and EV Advanced Materials, has joined the alliance.

On March 20 in Beijing, the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology organized relevant enterprises, including China Resources Recycling Group and Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., as well as research institutions such as the China Automotive Technology and Research Center and the CCID Research Institute, to discuss work related to building a recycling and utilization system for retired power batteries from NEVs. The meeting conducted an in-depth analysis of the current situation facing the development of the NEV power battery recycling and utilization system, and held serious discussions on issues including innovating policy supply, improving recycling mechanisms, and refining the standards system. The participating representatives unanimously stated that they would integrate local and enterprise practices, build consensus and synergy, carry out in-depth research on major issues in the development of an integrated recycling network, strengthen policy reserves, and accelerate the improvement of the NEV power battery recycling and utilization system.

[SMM Tin Morning Briefing: The Most-Traded SHFE Tin Contract Opened Sharply Higher in the Night Session and Then Rebounded in Volatile Trading, While the Spot Market Will Gradually Cool Down]