In H1 2026, the refined zinc industry struggled under multiple pressures. Ore supply remained tight, with both domestic and imported zinc concentrate TCs falling to record lows since data records began in 2013, directly squeezing smelter profits, and some enterprises have already fallen into losses. How will the refined zinc market develop in H2?

The China rhenium market in H1 2026 generally saw an initial rise and stabilization, followed by a mild pullback and consolidation at highs, driven by four core factors: rigid raw material supply, supply-demand tug-of-war in the industry chain, structural divergence between investment and industrial demand, and price divergence between domestic and overseas markets. In H1, rhenium prices remained supported at high levels by structural supply deficits, yet trading stayed persistently sluggish with strong industry-wide wait-and-see sentiment; there was no clear unilateral trend, and a tug-of-war between longs and shorts ran throughout the period. I. Early February: Cooling Trading, Counter-Trend Price Rise In early February, the rhenium market showed a typical split: market activity fell MoM, but prices climbed steadily. On the sentiment side, gold and silver price fluctuations triggered a cautious mood across precious metals, which spilled over into the minor metals segment—there were many inquiries but few actual deals, with only small amounts of rigid demand supporting transactions, and cautious selling by retail investors led to a significant cooling in trading. On the price side, the core support came from tightening raw material supply. Ammonium rhenate supply remained tight and prices rose, sharply lifting smelting costs for midstream processors and pushing up finished product prices like rhenium pellets. Meanwhile, raw material prices rose faster than the pace of finished product price adjustments, squeezing midstream margins; the industry widely increased scrap recovery ratios to offset cost pressure. At that time, Sinopec’s tender for ammonium rhenate failed, confirming upstream producers’ inclination to hold back from selling and hold prices firm, bullish on the outlook. In the medium and long term, incremental rhenium recovery from copper-molybdenum smelting is limited by raw ore grades and technical barriers, making it difficult to fully close the supply gap, which provides sustained high-level support for rhenium prices. II. Post-Chinese New Year to Early Q2: High-Level Stalemate, Intensified Supply-Demand Tug-of-War After the Chinese New Year holiday, the rhenium market entered a prolonged consolidation phase at highs. Mainstream quotations for raw materials stabilized at 27,000–28,000 yuan/kg, with a few high-priced sources touching 30,000 yuan/kg; the price range was firm with minimal fluctuations. Upstream hold-back-from-selling attitudes gradually softened, with small-scale selling to test market acceptance, but without concentrated dumping, supply increments were manageable and the rigid supply structure remained intact. Midstream processors focused on delivering pre-holiday orders, with production schedules full from March to April. However, their acceptance of high-priced ammonium rhenate was low, and they generally negotiated rationally, refusing to rush to buy amid the continuous price rise. Downstream demand showed structural divergence: investment appetite continued to cool—retail investors exited and low-price selling increased, weighing on market sentiment; meanwhile, steady recovery in industrial demand from aviation, catalysts, and other sectors provided fundamental support, offsetting some bearish factors. At the same time, capital rotated into the energy sector, and speculative interest in minor metals waned, leaving rhenium prices lacking strong upward momentum. Overseas critical mineral competition intensified, raising import supply chain uncertainty and providing long-term bottom support for the market. III. Late Q2: China Pulls Back Weakly, Overseas Strengthens Against Trend In late H1, China’s rhenium market weakened slightly, with raw material and finished product prices pulling back simultaneously, while overseas markets rose independently, resulting in a significant divergence between domestic and overseas trends. In China, the mainstream transaction range for ammonium perrhenate pulled back to 26,000-27,000 yuan/kg, and small and medium-sized producers offered low-priced goods to recoup funds, with spot order prices dropping to 24,000-25,000 yuan/kg, dragging down the overall price center. The mainstream transaction price for rhenium pellets pulled back to around 46,000 yuan/kg. The tug-of-war in the industry chain further intensified. After concentrated restocking at the beginning of the year, downstream inventories were sufficient. Entering the traditional off-season, purchasing sentiment was cautious, with a strong willingness to push for lower prices and probe the bottom, mostly making purchases based on rigid demand in small lots. Upstream still held expectations for the future market, controlling volumes and selling cautiously, which capped the downside room and prevented a sharp decline. Overseas markets saw strong demand resilience and tight supply, with prices of ammonium perrhenate and rhenium pellets continuing to rise. However, the rise in overseas markets had limited boosting effect on the domestic market, and the price spread between Chinese and overseas markets continued to diverge. IV. Summary of Key Bullish and Bearish Factors in H1 (I) Key Bullish Factors First, as a rare and dispersed metal by-product of copper and molybdenum, rhenium has strong primary supply rigidity, while recovery capacity release is slow, leading to a long-standing structural supply-demand gap. Second, intensified exclusivity in the critical minerals supply chain outside China has raised import risks, and expectations of tightening supply in the long term underpin the market. Third, industrial rigid demand has been recovering steadily, providing continuous fundamental support. Fourth, upstream producers’ willingness to hold prices firm is solid, with no concentrated sell-offs, limiting downside room for the market. (II) Key Bearish Factors First, the ebb of speculative capital and repeated retail selling disturbed spot prices, with sluggish trading activity. Second, raw material cost transmission was sluggish, squeezing midstream profits, increasing the substitution ratio of scrap, and contracting demand for primary ammonium perrhenate. Third, after completing phased restocking, downstream purchasing willingness was weak in the off-season, making it difficult to spur a market rebound. Fourth, the decoupling of domestic and overseas market trends prevented the bullish benefit of overseas price increases from transmitting to the domestic market. V. Overall Summary of H1 In H1 2026, the rhenium market overall showed features of consolidating at highs, mixed bullish and bearish factors, and weak transactions. The market underwent three stages: price increases, sideways consolidation, and a weak pullback. The core contradiction has always been the two-way balance between rigid upstream supply underpinning prices and weak downstream demand, coupled with capital outflows capping gains. Industry chain profits diverged significantly: the upstream resource segment had stable earnings, while midstream processing enterprises remained under pressure, and the industry accelerated the pace of scrap recovery and recycling. Overall, there was no one-sided trend in H1. The tug-of-war between suppliers and buyers dominated market movements. The structural supply-demand gap supported high-level operation and laid the fundamental foundation for the rhenium market’s consolidating pattern in H2.

According to SMM statistics, in June 2026, SMM China refined zinc production fell by around 18,000 mt, or over 3.2%, MoM and 3.8% YoY. Cumulative production from January to June increased by over 4% YoY, falling short of expectations...

[Covering Seven Major Production Regions! SMM Launches Daily Provincial Profit Indicator for Zinc Smelting Using 40% Imported Ore] In May 2026, SMM added daily profit models for domestic ore in the eight major zinc smelting regions of Inner Mongolia, Henan, Gansu, Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, and Sichuan for market reference. ...

On June 26, at the hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM) with title sponsorship from Guangxi Yusheng Germanium High-Tech Co., Ltd., Ou Haiguang, Chairman of Lianzhou Tuosheng New Energy Co., Ltd., Qingyuan, Guangdong, shared “The Development and Application of Selenium.” I. Global Selenium Market Overview The global selenium market exhibits a combination of steady overall growth and rapid structural upgrading. Global Selenium Market Characteristics The global selenium market presents the dual characteristic of “steady overall volume and structural upgrading.” Growth in traditional sectors is slowing, while high-value-added niche segments show strong potential. ► Overall Market: Moderate Growth It introduced the global selenium market size in 2025 and future compound annual growth rate, among other aspects. ► High-End Market: Rapid Expansion High-purity selenium used in electronics, semiconductors, and solid-state batteries is the core growth driver. The global high-purity selenium market reached $1.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to exceed $3.5 billion by 2030, with a strong CAGR of 10%. Selenium is a key material supporting the development of high-tech industries It is a fundamental material for developing new materials, new devices, and new consumer goods (pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food). Demand for selenium from military, new energy, and medical & health sectors is increasing daily. Ultra-high-purity rare and scattered metals have been designated as key national strategic emerging industries under the “Strategic Research on New Materials Powering the Nation by 2035” (2020). High-purity selenium was included by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in the “Catalogue for the Guidance of Key Products and Services in Strategic Emerging Industries” issued in Announcement No. 1 (2017). The EU identified selenium as a critical raw material for strategic low-carbon energy technologies (2020). Price Trend Review and Forecast First, it reviewed the selenium price trend in recent years. ► Future Trend Forecast, 2026-2027 The global economic slowdown is weighing on the profitability and operating rates of traditional selenium-consuming industries such as glass, ceramics, and pigments, causing prices of ordinary industrial-grade selenium products to continue falling under pressure. However, high-purity, customized high-end selenium products used in PV, electronics, and other sectors are seeing price support due to high technical barriers and scarce supply, with the market showing a clear divergence in price trends. ► Market Insight: Supply-Demand Pattern Driving Divergence As demand growth in traditional sectors such as PV glass slows, prices of basic products are heavily influenced by capacity. However, the technological barriers in high-value-added fields such as infrared, electronics, and solid-state batteries will support the price resilience of high-end selenium products, making them the core growth driver for future corporate profits. II. In-Depth Analysis of China’s Selenium Industry China is the global center for selenium production and supply, and its industry development trends have a decisive impact on the global market. Production and Supply: The World’s Core Producing Region China is the global center for selenium production and supply, accounting for nearly half of the world’s output, which continues to grow steadily. ► Production Scale and Growth: In 2025, China’s primary selenium production reached 2,030 mt (up 12% YoY), accounting for nearly half of the global total. The growth momentum came from the expansion of domestic copper smelters and their increased focus on the comprehensive recovery of rare and precious metals. ► Core Producing Region Distribution: Influenced by the layout of the copper smelting industry, China’s selenium is primarily produced in four provinces: Yunnan, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Hubei. The high degree of synergy between resources and the processing industry has formed a stable supply chain cluster. ► Industry Leader Landscape: Top-tier players such as Jiangxi Copper Corporation, Tongling Nonferrous Metals, Yunnan Copper, and China Daye Non-Ferrous Metals dominate production and are actively extending their reach into downstream deep processing, continuously refining their industry chain layout. ► Future Production Forecast: Production is expected to maintain an upward trend: it is projected to reach 2,165 mt in 2026 and further increase to 2,340 mt in 2027, continuously solidifying its core global supply position. Consumption Structure and Trends: Replacing Old Growth Drivers with New Ones ► Changes in China’s selenium consumption structure are a microcosm of global trends, with emerging applications rapidly on the rise. ● Metallurgy (32%): A traditional mainstay field, with relatively stable demand. ● Flat Glass (24%): Driven directly by the rapid development of the PV industry, maintaining solid growth. ● Agricultural and Livestock Health (21%): A beneficiary of the upgrade in health consumption, it has become an important growth point. ● Ceramics and Chemicals (13%): A traditional, low-end application affected by environmental protection policies and alternative technologies, with demand continuing to shrink. ★ Electronics, Infrared, and PV (8%): The fastest-growing segment and the core new momentum driving the industry’s long-term development. Trade Pattern: From Net Importer to Near-Balance China’s selenium trade pattern has undergone a historic transformation, gradually achieving self-sufficiency and control over its resource supply and demand. ► Historic Transformation: Reshaping the Supply-Demand Pattern In the past, as the world’s major selenium consumer, China was in a state of net imports for a long time. In recent years, thanks to the steady growth of domestic primary selenium smelting capacity and significant advances in recovery technologies for secondary resources like copper and selenium scrap, China’s reliance on selenium from outside China has dropped sharply, achieving a fundamental optimization of its trade structure. ► Key Milestone: 2025 Trade Data In 2025, China's selenium trade achieved a historic breakthrough: both imports and exports totaled 728 mt, remaining basically flat. This data marks China's successful shift away from a passive "resource-importing" model, achieving basic self-sufficiency in selenium supply and demonstrating strong risk resilience. ► Future Trend: Moving Toward Net Exporter Status Driven by both production growth and technological strengths, China is expected to continue expanding its selenium resource production scale and technology exports in the coming years. Leveraging its complete industry chain support and cost advantages, China is poised to gradually complete its transformation from a "net importer" to a "net exporter," further enhancing its discourse power in global selenium trade. ► Policy Support: Export Promotion, Brand Certification & Subsidies To support domestic superior resource products in international competition, the nation continues to implement industrial support policies. 1. High-purity selenium and selenium compound targets are included in the new materials export credit insurance support categories. 2. Key equipment imports for high-purity selenium compound synthesis and monocrystalline production are exempted from customs duties and import-stage VAT. This policy effectively strengthens the competitiveness of Chinese selenium products in the international market, providing strong policy support for the industry's "going global" strategy. III. High-Growth Track Analysis Amid broadly steady market growth, which sub-sectors are experiencing explosive expansion? This chapter focuses on three high-growth tracks: nano-selenium, high-purity selenium, and indium selenide. ► Track 1: Nano-Selenium Biomedicine and Healthy Agriculture — One of the fastest-growing sectors in the selenium industry Core Strengths: High bioavailability | Low toxicity It addresses the pain point of balancing effectiveness and safety in traditional selenium agents, offering dual value in nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Sharing also included market size forecasts, diverse application scenarios, and national policy support. ► Track 2: High-Purity Selenium (Semiconductors and PV) • Positioning as a critical basic material: High-purity selenium (purity ≥5N) is a strategic critical material underpinning the development of semiconductor chip manufacturing and PV solar cell industries, holding an irreplaceable position in the advanced manufacturing supply chain. Current Industry Status: Overall market demand is growing rapidly, but exhibits a significant "structural supply-demand mismatch," characterized by low-end overcapacity coexisting with a shortage of high-end products. • Market Demand and Structural Issues Demand Growth: China's total market demand is projected to maintain a 16.8% average annual compound growth rate from 2026 to 2030, indicating enormous potential. Polarization: Relatively surplus capacity in 5N low-end products; severe shortage of 6N and above high-end products, with import dependency reaching as high as 71%. • Technology Barriers and Localisation Substitution Opportunities Core Barriers: The preparation of 6N high-purity selenium involves complex processes, primarily relying on "zone melting" and "chemical vapor transport (CVT)" technologies, posing extremely high technical thresholds. Policy Driver: The National IC Fund has provided targeted capital injection to support breakthroughs, with a clear industrial goal of achieving over 60% localisation rate for high-end high-purity selenium by 2027. ► Track 3: Indium Selenide (Infrared Detection and Advanced Optoelectronics) • Material Overview Indium selenide (In₂Se₃) is a new-type layered semiconductor material with excellent optoelectronic properties. With its unique band structure, high carrier mobility, and good flexibility, it holds tremendous application potential in cutting-edge fields such as infrared detection, flexible optoelectronic devices, and new-type PV, making it a current hot topic in semiconductor material R&D. • Market Size Forecast Chinese market size in 2025: 382 million yuan; expected to reach 429 million yuan in 2026; up 12.3% YoY. • Competitive Landscape: Highly Concentrated Industry barriers are high, with a prominent head effect: the top three enterprises command approximately 68.3% market share. • Core Application Scenarios 01 Infrared focal plane detectors, widely used in security surveillance and industrial temperature measurement, represent the primary downstream demand. 02 Energy and new energy: Used as a buffer layer in CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film solar cells, serving as an important raw material for the PV industry. 03 Flexible electronic devices: Leveraging advantages of layered structure, high-performance flexible displays and wearable device sensors can be developed. IV. Cutting-Edge Technologies and Future Trends Technological innovation is the fundamental driving force behind industrial development. Breakthroughs in Cutting-Edge Technologies: Antimony Selenide Sulfide Solar Cells Core Technical Advantages: The material combines excellent photoelectric conversion properties with outstanding chemical stability, featuring low production costs and strong process compatibility, thereby solving the trade-off between performance and stability in traditional PV materials. Industrial Application Prospects: Viewed as a highly promising next-generation PV technology direction, it not only broadens the selection of PV materials but also opens up a completely new path for high-value application of "selenium" resources in the new energy field. Industrial Development Trends 01. Technology-driven high value-addition | The core of industrial competition is shifting from resource acquisition to technological innovation, where technical barriers will become the fundamental foundation for enterprises to thrive. 2. Deep Localisation Substitution | Driven by national strategic support and market demand, the localisation process of key materials will continue to accelerate. 3. The "Materials-as-a-Service" Model Emerges | Upstream producers are no longer limited to mere product supply but are deeply integrated with downstream clients, providing customised solutions. 4. Green, Low-carbon, and Circular Economy | Stricter environmental protection policies are forcing industry upgrades, and green production processes and efficient resource recycling technologies will become increasingly important. 5. Strategic Recommendations Based on the above analysis, it provides some specific strategic recommendations for industry participants and investors. Whether enterprises or investors, in the current complex and volatile market environment, all need clear strategic guidance to seize opportunities and avoid risks. ► Recommendations for Enterprises 1. Focus on High-Growth Sectors: Decisively allocate resources toward high-value-added areas such as nano-selenium and 6N high-purity selenium, and avoid homogeneous competition with low profits. 2. Strengthen Technology R&D and Cooperation: Establish an independent R&D system to maintain core competitiveness, while actively engaging in industry-university-research cooperation with universities and research institutes. 3. Build Industry Chain Synergy: Extend toward upstream raw material sources to ensure stable supply, and expand toward downstream application ends to deeply integrate core clients, enhancing risk resistance capabilities. 4. Enhance Quality and Brand: Establish and strictly enforce a high-standard quality control system, cultivate a high-end, professional brand image, and compete with premium quality and pricing. ► Recommendations for Investors 1. Focus on Technologically Leading Enterprises: Prioritize investment in enterprises with independent intellectual property rights in core technologies to build competitive barriers. 2. Seek Enterprises with Strong Downstream Integration: Choose enterprises that have established long-term and stable cooperation with downstream key clients to ensure robust operational performance. 3. Allocate to Entire Industry Chain Enterprises: Focus on enterprises with a complete industry chain layout from mineral resources to end-use applications to enhance risk resistance capabilities. 4. Beware of Market Fluctuation Risks: Fully assess the impact of periodic selenium price fluctuations on enterprise costs and profits, and implement risk hedging. Furthermore, it also provides an introduction to Lianzhou Tuosheng New Energy Co., Ltd.

June 26, at the 2026 SMM (14th) Minor Metal Industry Conference—Antimony Industry Forum, hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM) and with title sponsorship from Guangxi Yusheng Germanium High-tech Co., Ltd., , Luo Chengcai, General Manager of Hunan Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star Antimony Import & Export Co., Ltd., shared with participants the “Path of Transformation and Development for the Antimony Industry Amid Century-Long Changes.” I. Reshaping the Antimony Industry Landscape Amid Century-Long Changes Policy-driven: Export Controls Trigger Profound Market Fragmentation ►Markets outside China: Rapid Capacity Expansion Driven by High Prices Mine supply growing rapidly: The Santar mine in Myanmar has become a key variable, with monthly production reaching 1,000 mt of metal content and strong supply resilience. Smelting capacity deployment accelerates: Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam are rapidly boosting smelting capacity, with total ex-China capacity already reaching about 40,000 mt/year. Policy-driven: Supply-demand imbalance in the Chinese market Supply side extremely loose: In 2026, imports in the first four months alone have already matched the total for the full year 2025, creating unprecedented supply pressure on the market. Demand side highly competitive: Prices have fallen sharply. Geopolitical shocks: The Middle East war has caused irreversible damage ►Flame retardant industry: Short-term pain Bromine prices surged from 30,000 to 130,000/mt, petrochemical raw material prices jumped over 50%, and poor cost pass-through led to widespread industry losses, with production cuts of around 30%. ►Polyester industry: Under pressure from both costs and production Affected by wild swings in upstream petrochemical raw material prices, the industry's production costs have climbed sharply; with weak end-use demand, it was forced to cut production by about 30%, sharply increasing operating pressure. ►PV glass: Short-term cooling but long-term positive outlook Affected by the cancellation of module export tax rebates and uncertainties in the Indian market, short-term demand has weakened; however, the broader trend of global energy transition remains unchanged, and long-term growth potential persists. II. Opportunities Amid Crisis: New Opportunities for Transformation and Development Solid fundamentals: Consolidation and optimization in traditional sectors ►High-performance flame retardant materials Irreplaceability: Still cannot be effectively replaced in engineering plastics such as ABS and XPS. Market growth: China's annual demand for flame retardants reaches 1.5 million mt, with bromine-antimony flame retardants accounting for 35%, and demand is steadily increasing. ►Polyester industry Core catalyst: Over 90% of polyester units use antimony-based catalysts, securing a solid position. New growth areas: Industrial textiles are growing rapidly in sectors such as medical and new energy, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 10%. ►PV Glass Core Refining Agent: Holding over 80% market share, it delivers high efficiency with controllable costs. Strong Momentum Outside China: Driven by the global energy transition, demand in markets outside China remains robust, with countries such as India and Indonesia building plants on a large scale. Summary: The steady demand structure across the three traditional pillar sectors—flame retardants, polyester, and PV—combined with the continued expansion of emerging markets outside China, forms a solid and reliable foundation for the antimony industry. New Growth Driver: Condensed Matter Batteries, the biggest growth engine going forward ►Technical Pathway: Enterprises such as CATL are planning antimony-based sodium-ion batteries, in which the passenger vehicle segment will use a calcium-antimony composite material as the negative electrode. ►Demand Estimate: CATL has planned 60 GWh of capacity, with 24 GWh allocated to passenger vehicles. Calculated at 1,200 mt of antimony per GWh, annual demand could reach as much as 30,000 mt at full production. This represents a massive potential market. New Growth Driver: Rapid Growth in High-Value Applications ►AI Computing Power: The explosive growth of AI servers and data centers has driven antimony consumption in the semiconductor sector to over 2,000 mt. ►Military Sector: High-purity antimony is a critical material for infrared detection and missile guidance, commanding a price premium of 3 to 5 times. Against a backdrop of geopolitical conflicts, military-related orders surged 80% YoY. ►Lead-Acid Batteries: Used as a lead-antimony alloy in positive electrode grids, antimony significantly enhances battery performance. China's antimony consumption in this segment stands at approximately 13,000–15,000 mt, with global consumption at around 22,000 mt, providing a stable foundation. III. Value Normalization: Future Trends and Strategic Outlook Supply Side: Resource Constraints and Policy Regulation Become the New Normal ►Non-renewable resources and a tight supply are long-term trends China's domestic reserves are depleting and grades are declining, with production falling year by year. Incremental supply from outside China is limited and unstable. ►Domestic production restrictions and resource consolidation are the overriding trends The global static reserve-to-production ratio for antimony is less than 10 years, highlighting its strategic value. Strengthening environmental protection, implementing production restrictions, and promoting resource consolidation are the inevitable path for the nation. Market Mechanisms: Moving Toward Stability and Harmonious Coexistence Conclusions and Outlook • The antimony industry stands at a new historical starting point. Short-term market fluctuations and price pains are the necessary "drastic remedies" during the process of industrial restructuring. • We firmly believe that with the tightening of the supply side, the explosion of emerging demand, and the strategic emphasis at the national level, antimony's strategic value will be fully realized and will eventually return to its intrinsic worth in the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers. • Let us join hands and work together to propel the antimony industry toward a new era of stable, balanced, and high-quality development. The antimony industry is bound to have a bright future!

[Refined zinc export window nearing opening; will exports surge in June?] According to the latest customs data, refined zinc imports in May 2026 stood at 5,000 mt, down 1,000 mt or 17.15% MoM and 81.28% YoY. From January to May, cumulative refined zinc imports reached 54,000 mt, down 65.28% YoY. Refined zinc exports in May were 3,900 mt, down 0.49% MoM but up 177.81% YoY.

SMM, June 18: The Regulations for the Implementation of the Mineral Resources Law of the People's Republic of China, which took effect on June 15, listed 36 types of minerals, including rare earths, tungsten, lithium, cobalt, gallium, and germanium, as national-level strategic minerals, subjecting them to full-chain, high-intensity control. The prices of Pr-Nd oxide, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide saw their third consecutive daily increase on June 17; Orient Zirconium issued a price adjustment notice, raising the prices of its related zirconium products effective June 18, 2026; and the favor of some market funds all contributed to the opening strength of the minor metal sector. As of around 9:57 on June 18, the minor metal industry sector rose by 3.09%. In terms of individual stocks: Orient Zirconium, Shenghe Resources, and Zhongxi Nonferrous hit the daily limit; China Rare Earth, Jintian Titanium, China Northern Rare Earth, China Tungsten High-Tech, Tin Industry Co., and Yunnan Germanium led the gains. Market News Orient Zirconium raised the prices of its related zirconium products effective June 18, 2026 On June 18, Orient Zirconium issued a product price adjustment notice. The notice indicated that based on current market conditions, Orient Zirconium decided to raise the prices of its related zirconium products starting from June 18, 2026, with the price adjustments as follows: zirconium oxychloride products (including mother liquor materials) increased by 1,500 yuan/mt; zirconium dioxide products increased by 4,500 yuan/mt; fused zirconium products increased by 2,000 yuan/mt; at the same time, the prices of other zirconium series products from Orient Zirconium will be adjusted accordingly. [Aidite: The company has already laid out a powder substitute plan and fully implemented it; the new material can replace the original imported powder] On June 17, Aidite stated on an interactive platform while answering investor questions that the company had received a notice from Japan's Tosoh regarding the suspension of zirconia powder supply. To ensure the stability of its own supply, the company had already laid out a powder substitute plan and fully implemented it; the new material can replace the original imported powder, and the entire new product line has passed rigorous customer verification. Currently, several core major clients have completed the switch and signed long-term orders at the recent dealer conference. The company will actively take a series of measures to avoid any adverse impact from the Japanese powder supply disruption. In the future, the company will seize the window of opportunity for high-quality material breakthroughs and, leveraging its technical and delivery advantages, continue to expand its market share. Spot Market Zirconium According to the SMM price assessment, on June 18, the price of zirconium oxychloride (Zr(Hf)O2≥36%) was quoted at 17,500-18,000 yuan/mt, with an average of 17,750 yuan/mt, up 5.97% from the previous trading day. The zirconium industry chain had long been under pressure, with sluggish traditional demand from ceramics and high industry inventories. Zircon sand and zirconium oxide prices persistently hovered at lows, trading was sluggish, and the market was at the bottom of the cycle. Since entering Q2 this year, driven by export controls on zirconium products to Japan, price hikes by overseas zirconium ore producers, and demand expectations for solid-state batteries, zirconium raw material prices stopped falling and stabilized, inventories destocked, and the industry moved out of the bottom range, embarking on a volatile recovery trend. Upstream zircon sand imports have tightened, overseas miners continue to raise prices, and cost support has been strengthening. Dongfang Zirconium Industry completed a round of price hikes in April and raised zirconium product prices again on June 18. For the zirconium market outlook, supported by tightening raw material supply, zirconium prices will hold up well in the short term. Going forward, attention should be paid to changes in raw material supply and downstream demand. Rare Earth In the rare earth market: Rare earth oxide prices were relatively stable overall, but downstream purchasing activity has decreased as the holiday approaches. Pr-Nd oxide and dysprosium oxide ended their three-day winning streak and both pulled back slightly on June 18, while terbium oxide prices held steady on June 18 after a previous three-day rise. Expectations for production cuts in the scrap recycling sector and news-driven factors previously drove Pr-Nd prices, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide higher. However, after the afternoon session on June 17, shipments of Pr-Nd oxide from traders increased slightly, and the center of the actual trading range shifted lower. For medium-heavy rare earths, oxide suppliers held firm offer prices, but actual buying from metal enterprises was limited, and downstream magnetic material enterprises showed limited acceptance of high metal prices. Affected by the stalemate in market trading, rare earth prices are expected to move sideways in the short term. Tin Additionally, in the tin market: On June 18, the average price of SMM 1# tin fell 0.93% from the previous trading day. Driven by the US Fed keeping rates unchanged but signaling a hawkish bias, with half of policymakers expecting rate hikes this year, nonferrous metals fell overall and tin prices also pulled back. Currently, on the fundamental side: (1) Supply side: In June, most smelters focused on maintaining stable production. (2) Demand side: Downstream purchases were cautious, buying according to orders. Spot market: Overall trading sentiment in the spot market was light. Although tin prices have pulled back, they remain at relatively high levels and the holiday is approaching. Additionally, as the electronics industry enters its traditional off-season, downstream enterprises such as solder makers are only purchasing on a "buy on dips for essential needs" basis. Institutional Views Guojin Securities’ research report on June 14 showed: Rare Earth: Dysprosium oxide may benefit from the boost by MLCC, with a significant rebound trend from price lows. From the start of the year, the price center has continued to rise. We believe this is likely related to supply-side documents released in 2024-2025, with ongoing supply-side reform in the industry. Exports fell 1% YoY for full-year 2025, while exports from early 2026 to date have increased significantly, indicating strong restocking demand outside China. The rare earth sector will continue to see dual improvements in valuation and performance, and 2026 is also a key year for resolving industry competition among key targets. On the resource side, attention is recommended for China Rare Earth (medium-heavy rare earth leader, biggest beneficiary of supply-side reform), Zhongxi Nonferrous (undervalued, high-growth South China rare earth leader), and China Northern Rare Earth (light rare earth leader, with significant cost advantages); other related targets include Bao Gang United Steel, JL MAG Rare-Earth, etc. Tin: It believes that invisible inventory of tin ingots is gradually drying up, so tin prices are expected to strengthen under the backfill of macro liquidity or spillover from tech markets. The supply-demand pattern for tin will improve in the long term. Tungsten: This period, tungsten prices continued their rebound trend. It believes that against the backdrop of increased strategic stockpiling outside China, tungsten may have higher priority; tungsten's supply-demand fundamentals have seen strong resonance. Molybdenum: The destocking of imported ore has been significant, and domestic molybdenum prices have stabilized and rebounded. Steel procurement volume remains robust, destocking along the industry chain is progressing, and the deadlock of molybdenum prices with "volume but no price" is gradually being broken, with the upward channel becoming clearer. Molybdenum is also a military metal, with persistently low inventory, and increased defense spending outside China may further boost molybdenum prices. Huafu Securities’ research report on June 14 showed: Other Minor Metals: Industry leaders' long-term contract performance was impressive, and market sentiment in tungsten clearly stabilized. The tungsten market overall has walked out of a mild recovery, with the previous consolidation at lows being reversed somewhat. Industry leaders' long-term contract transactions were impressive, serving as a key driver for the upward movement in futures, and overall market sentiment clearly stabilized. However, the spot and scattered cargo atmosphere remained mediocre, with no widespread price-following adjustments upstream or downstream, and the rebound pace was gentle, with the market overall in a stage of steady recovery. Open Source Securities' 2026 mid-year investment strategy for the metals industry showed: Copper: Supply side, most miners outside China still face declining grades and recovery rates, and disruptive factors persist (Ivanhoe’s KK copper mine, Codelco’s El Teniente copper mine). While Chinese enterprises are increasing output, the overall increase is limited. Under an optimistic scenario, global supply growth may be below 2% in 2026-2027. Demand side, H1 electricity demand in China and the US maintained high growth rates, which may contribute marginal increments to copper demand. Open Source Securities believes that the supply-demand structure contradiction for copper will further highlight in 2026, supporting the rise in copper price center. Lithium: On the supply side of the lithium industry, capital spending cuts and the gradual formation of supply discipline, coupled with frequent disruptions, have led to a marked decline in supply elasticity compared with the past. Meanwhile, sustained strong demand from the energy storage sector is improving the structure of lithium demand, while industry inventory pressure is easing marginally. Lithium prices are expected to see a phased recovery. Enterprises with advantages in resource security, low costs and integrated layout are likely to show stronger earnings recovery than the industry average. Lithium mines and lithium chemicals companies with high resource self-sufficiency and strong cost control deserve attention. Tungsten: As an advantaged strategic metal in China, tungsten mine supply is constrained by resource depletion, environmental protection and other factors. Together with the total mining volume control implemented by the state, tungsten mine production release is limited. On the demand side, emerging sectors are boosting tungsten demand, which is expected to support tungsten prices over the long term. Recommended reading:

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In 2026, global competition for critical minerals is entering a white-hot stage, geopolitical maneuvering continues to deepen, and global industry and supply chains are undergoing accelerated restructuring. A new round of technological revolution centered on AI semiconductors, new energy, high-end manufacturing, and aerospace & aviation is propelling the minor metals industry into a historic period of development opportunity and profound transformation. Worldwide, the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and the US’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) continue to be implemented, Mineral Security Partnerships keep expanding, and the trend toward localization and regionalization of critical mineral supply chains is intensifying. The resource games, technical barriers, and trade rule reconfigurations surrounding strategic minor metals such as antimony, indium, gallium, germanium, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, and rhenium have become the core focus of global high-end manufacturing competition. As the world’s core supplier of minor metals, China holds a dominant position globally in the smelting and supply of many minor metal varieties. Against this backdrop, the 2026 SMM (14th) Minor Metals Industry Conference brings together upstream and downstream enterprises across the entire industry chain for antimony, indium, gallium, germanium, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, rhenium, and others, as well as research institutes, government agencies, financial and investment institutions, and trade service providers, to create a high-standard, full-chain, in-depth exchange and cooperation platform. The conference will deliver in-depth interpretation of global policy shifts, provide insights into supply-demand patterns and price trends, decode growth opportunities in end-use applications, and match government-enterprise resources with cross-border cooperation opportunities, helping enterprises accurately grasp industry trends, break through development bottlenecks, optimize supply chain layouts, and seize market opportunities, thereby jointly promoting the high-quality and sustainable development of China’s minor metals industry. Foshan Juchuang Automation Co., Ltd. will make a grand appearance at this conference. We will keep pace with the times, target our goals, forge ahead with determination, and march forward courageously! Click to register immediately. We are looking forward to meeting you at the conference. Foshan Juchuang Automation Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in soldering equipment. Our main products include solder melting furnaces, extrusion machines, rolling mills, wire drawing machines, winding machines, horizontal continuous casting machines, solder bar molds, and more. We are a professional manufacturer integrating design, production, and sales. Our company has strong technical capabilities, and our R&D team brings together senior and intermediate R&D engineers from various product areas, all from the machinery and non-standard equipment industries. “Dare to strive, strive to innovate” is the driving belief of the Juchuang team. Guided by the principle of “quality products, professional service”, we provide clients with high-quality, cost-effective, and durable products through high cost-performance, fast delivery times, and enthusiastic, attentive service, thereby earning unanimous praise from our clients. We will live up to our clients’ expectations and trust, diligently provide them with quality products and excellent after-sales service, and strive to become an outstanding supplier in the soldering equipment industry. Main Products Meeting Contact: Zhu Wei zhuwei@smm.cn