Recently, China's manganese-based battery materials market has been characterized by cost-driven divergence and gradual demand recovery. Battery-grade manganese sulfate and trimanganese tetroxide have strengthened on the back of rising raw material and freight costs; electrolytic manganese dioxide remains stable; and lithium manganate is steady amid volatile lithium carbonate prices, awaiting a demand rebound in April.

SMM March 20 News: According to an official announcement from Qingdao Manganese Series Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), it invites qualified bidders to submit sealed bids for the selenium dioxide project for electrolytic manganese production. Component requirements: SeO₂ ≥ 98%. Total tender quantity: Approximately 169 tons. Bid deadline: 9:00 AM (Beijing Time), March 23, 2026.

This week, China’s domestic manganese-based battery materials market has shown a differentiated operation trend. The price of battery-grade manganese tetroxide has slightly declined, the price of electrolytic manganese dioxide has slightly increased, and lithium manganate has maintained a weak balance of supply and demand.

On March 10, to accelerate the comprehensive utilization of electrolytic manganese residue, the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization of the MIIT held a symposium in Beijing on March 9. The meeting noted that proper utilization of this complex residue is crucial for the high-quality development of the electrolytic manganese industry and regional green growth. The MIIT will conduct in-depth industry research, improve policy and standard systems, and promote advanced technologies to enhance utilization levels.

During the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, China’s manganese tetroxide market maintained a weak tone, characterized by sluggish trading, stable prices, and stalemated supply and demand. On the cost side, electrolytic manganese prices bottomed out at low levels with limited upward momentum. On the demand side, lithium manganate producers had completed pre-holiday restocking and focused on inventory digestion.

During the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, the electrolytic manganese market stabilized at the bottom with sluggish transactions. Before the holiday, the market’s downward momentum slowed after a cumulative 600 yuan/ton drop, with mainstream prices approaching the 17,000 yuan/ton mark, supported by steel mills’ final pre-holiday stockpiling. During the holiday, prices remained stable at around 17,300 yuan/ton with almost no transactions.

[SMM EMM Daily Review: Market Remains Stalemate, Spot Prices Stabilize Temporarily] The average spot price of EMM in major producing areas ranges from 13,400 to 13,500 yuan/mt, unchanged MoM; the average FOB price ranges from $1,880 to $1,910/mt, unchanged MoM. In terms of supply, EMM quotations remain firm, with factories showing weak willingness to sell at low prices, focusing mainly on order fulfillment, resulting in slightly tight spot supply. On the demand side, downstream steel mills generally adopt a cautious procurement attitude towards EMM, waiting to see the progress of steel tenders.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Rare and Scattered Metals Forum (Indium, Germanium, Gallium, Bismuth, Selenium, Tellurium), hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Long Wensheng, General Manager of Changsha Aochang Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., elaborated on "The Current Application Status and Future Prospects of Minor Metal Selenium.

Formation and Characteristics of Manganese Carbonate Ore: Manganese carbonate ore primarily forms in deep underground rocks, with its main component being manganese carbonate, also known as rhodochrosite. This type of ore belongs to the carbonate category and is easily distinguishable from other ores. It typically appears in bait-like, granular, massive, or nodular forms, with colors ranging from grayish-black to rose. After oxidation, it turns dark brown. Its hardness ranges from 3.5 to 4.5, and its density ranges from 3.6 to 3.7...

[SMM Weekly Review: EMM Holders Slightly Loosen Their Grip, Spot Prices Drop Slightly] As of Friday this week, the domestic average spot price of EMM was 13,400-13,550 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt WoW from last Friday; the FOB price was $1,890-1,920/mt, unchanged WoW from last Friday. According to SMM, on the supply side, some EMM plants maintained firm quotes, with weak willingness to sell at a discount, focusing mainly on fulfilling orders. However, EMM holders in the market slightly loosened their grip, with quotes slightly lowered. On the demand side, downstream steel mills were cautious in purchasing EMM, with weak acceptance of high-priced EMM, leading to a decline in spot transaction prices.