The 2025 2nd SMM Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain Conference was successfully held, featuring the release of 10 new car models, Southeast Asia brand strategies from three automakers, and SMM Thailand local steel prices. The event facilitated efficient matchmaking between 12+ buyers and 60+ suppliers, preliminarily establishing a communication platform for the entire industry chain of Southeast Asian automotive. Currently, the Southeast Asian NEV industry is entering a critical development phase, with Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam each making their own strategic moves and breakthroughs, while the industry also faces challenges such as supply chain restructuring, technology route competition, and localization compliance. Thanks to the support from all parties, SMM's Thailand and Indonesia local pricing systems have been implemented and adopted by core enterprises, establishing a credible cost benchmark for the industry. The 2026 3rd Conference will focus on three core themes: exploring the NEV auto sales potential in Southeast Asia; connecting the last mile of the supply chain and integrating regional industry chain resources; and advancing SMM Southeast Asia metal pricing from a price reference to a transaction benchmark, implementing electrification material procurement applications and establishing an executable pricing system. We firmly believe that true progress comes from turning consensus into action. At this conference, Shenzhen Joinunion Technology Co., Ltd. sincerely invites you to gather again in Bangkok, to jointly transform strategic blueprints into market competitive advantages, to witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, and to co-create a brilliant new chapter! Click the to register now. Powering Homes and Roads Ahead Union Industry (Hong Kong) Holding Co. , Limited is a professional global supplier of components, focused on meeting the supply chain needs of multinational companies' industrial products. The company has developed a business model driven by a dual engine of '1+6' advanced manufacturing and manufacturing value-added services. By integrating global resources, it provides comprehensive services to customers, becoming a reliable partner for many international companies. To be a global leader in components and sub-assemblies, driving value through manufacturing excellence and end-to-end supply chain management. Process Process Integrated Fine Blanking Post-processing Solution Integrated Post-processing Solution Fine Blanking → Deburring → Sizing → Heat Treatment → Surface Coating → Cleaning → Inspection Clients We Work With Customer We Work With Contact Contact Shirley Wang M: +86 18573109058 E: shirley.wang@unindasia.com Contact Us Yan Caowei 15618581967 yancaowei@smm.cn

[SMM Steel] Tata Steel Nederland joined the European CiSMA project focused on developing low-carbon steel made entirely from recycled scrap using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. The initiative targets a 70% reduction in carbon emissions in sheet steel production through 100% recycled scrap and circular manufacturing methods. The €4.5 million EU-funded project includes partners such as Volvo Cars, Electrolux Professional, and voestalpine, aiming to expand recycled steel applications in automotive and appliance industries.

[SMM Steel] Hyundai Steel and POSCO’s US joint venture awarded SMS Group a contract to supply rolling mill equipment for its new greenfield steel plant in Louisiana. The project includes a hot strip mill, pickling line tandem cold mill, acid regeneration plant, and AMOVA logistics systems. The plant is scheduled to start operations in 2029 with total steel product capacity of 2.8 million mt. The facility will focus on high-grade automotive steel, with annual cold rolled coil output expected to reach nearly 2 million mt.

The 4th China (Jiangxi) International Nonferrous Metals and Metallurgical Industry Exhibition, 2027 The 4th China (Jiangxi) International Nonferrous Metals and Metallurgical Industry Exhibition in 2027 Date: March 28-30, 2027 Venue: Nanchang Greenland International Expo Center "World Tungsten Capital" "World Copper Capital" "Asia's Lithium Capital" "Rare Earth Kingdom" Concurrent Events: The 4th China (Jiangxi) International Green Mining Exhibition, 2027 The 4th China (Jiangxi) International Foundry, Die Casting, Forging, Heat Treatment and Industrial Furnace Exhibition, 2027 [Jiangxi's Many Firsts] New China's first aircraft, first diesel wheeled tractor, first military sidecar motorcycle, first coastal defense missile, first artificial satellite, and today's C919 large passenger aircraft were all born here. [Industrial Advantages] The nonferrous metals industry is the largest pillar industry of Jiangxi Province. The energy consumption dual controls, dual carbon policies, and the new connotations of high-quality development have put forward new requirements for strengthening and expanding the nonferrous metals industry. Promoting the further healthy, rapid, and orderly development of the nonferrous metals industry and enhancing its core competitiveness is an inevitable requirement for transforming from a province rich in nonferrous metal resources to a province with a strong nonferrous metals industry, and is also an important lever for Jiangxi to achieve carbon peaking by 2030. Leveraging Jiangxi Province's abundant nonferrous mineral resources, Jiangxi's nonferrous metals industry has developed rapidly, with continuously expanding scale and improving standards. It has become Jiangxi's largest pillar industry and is currently a key "trillion-yuan-level" industry being cultivated in Jiangxi. It is the undisputed "ballast stone" of Jiangxi's manufacturing sector. Jiangxi has become an important nonferrous metal ore mining and production site in China. Jiangxi Province enjoys superior metallogenic geological conditions and abundant mineral resources, making it one of China's important bases for nonferrous metals, rare metals, rare earth, and uranium minerals, with a relatively high degree of mineral resource complementarity. Jiangxi's seven major categories of minerals — copper, tungsten, rare earth, uranium, tantalum-niobium, gold, and silver — are known as the "Seven Golden Flowers." According to Jiangxi Province's "2+6+N" Action Plan for High-Quality Leapfrog Industrial Development, the province's nonferrous metals industry plans to achieve a trillion-yuan level in main business revenue. To promote the healthy development of Jiangxi Province's nonferrous metals industry, facilitate foreign economic and trade cooperation, and guide Jiangxi's nonferrous metals industry to align with international standards, the Organizing Committee, after conducting multiple in-depth grassroots surveys and project analyses with government authorities and industry associations, has decided to hold the "4th China (Jiangxi) International Nonferrous Metals and Metallurgical Industry Exhibition, 2027" at the Nanchang Greenland International Expo Center on March 28-30, 2027. We look forward to seeing you there. [ Exhibition Dates ] Registration and Booth Setup: March 26-27, 2027 Opening Ceremony: March 28, 2027, 9:30 Exhibition and Trading: March 28-30, 2027 Dismantling: March 30, 2027, 14:00 [Scope of Exhibits] Non-ferrous Metal Raw Materials: copper, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zinc, lead, manganese, zirconium, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum, silicon, antimony, tin, chromium, tungsten, tantalum, indium and other non-ferrous metal mineral product raw materials, magnetic materials, rare and rare earth materials, precious metal materials and various alloy materials; Non-ferrous Metal Products: copper products, aluminum products, titanium alloy products, magnesium alloy products, powder metallurgy products, etc.; Metallurgical Equipment and Technology: smelting furnaces and kilns, refining equipment, smelting pumps and valves, conveying equipment, heat exchange equipment, flue gas acid-making equipment, corrosion-resistant equipment, hydrometallurgy, electrolysis equipment, large power rectifier power supplies, electrolytic cells, extraction equipment, surface treatment equipment, etc.; Metal Processing Machine Tools: lathes, milling machines, sawing machines, drilling machines, grinding machines, punch presses, boring machines, machining centers, electrical discharge machines, wire cutting machines, laser processing equipment, etc.; Metal Automation Control Equipment: frequency converters, fieldbuses, industrial computers, instruments and meters, automation control, robots, electronic application systems, weighing instruments and information solutions for equipment manufacturing, etc.; Auxiliary Materials for Metal Production: chemicals, solvents, refractory materials, catalysts, gases, lubricating oils, etc.; Powder Metallurgy: raw materials, equipment, products, 3D printing, polymer powder materials, ceramic powder materials; Casting, Die Casting and Forging: castings, casting equipment, casting materials, casting molds, casting/pouring robots, new casting technology and supporting products, various heat treatment furnaces, industrial furnaces, die castings, die casting molds, die casting machines and peripheral equipment, post-processing equipment for die castings, surface treatment technology and equipment, die casting robots, new die casting technology and supporting products, forgings, flanges and rings, forging equipment and accessories, surface treatment technology and equipment, automation, forging mold manufacturing technology and equipment, forging raw materials. Geological (Mine) Exploration Technology and Equipment: geophysical exploration technology, geochemical exploration technology, aerial survey and remote sensing technology, surveying and mapping technology, geological data processing, mineral product analysis, laboratory instruments and meters. Mining Technology and Equipment: excavation equipment, drilling and rock drilling equipment, loading equipment, transportation equipment (excavators, loaders, underground mining vehicles, mining dump units), hoisting equipment, drilling, construction machinery, etc. [Media Promotion] 65 authoritative financial media outlets including Jiangxi Daily, Jiangxi Television Economic Channel, Dajiang Finance Channel, Jiangxi Net, China Net, China Daily Net, and China Finance Net; 10 major self-media platforms including Sohu, NetEase, and Toutiao; 53 industry-leading professional media outlets including China Mining Net, China Excavator Net, China Foundry Net, China Die Casting Net, China Auto Manufacturing Net, World Aluminum Net, China Nonferrous Metals Net, Nonferrous Metals Information Net, and Metalworking, along with 180 other industry-related professional media outlets; Comprehensive coverage of key words search clients through online search platforms such as Baidu Promotion and 360 Promotion; [Concurrent Events] 2027 China Foundry Technology Innovation Outstanding Contribution Award Ceremony 2027 China Metallurgical Melting and Casting Technology Seminar 2027 China Recycled Metals Industry Chain Integrated Development Forum 2027 China NEV and Auto Body Lightweighting Peak Forum 2027 China Green Mine Development Forum [Exhibition Rules] ★ Standard booth 3m×3m: China enterprises: RMB 9,800 yuan/booth; overseas enterprises: RMB 15,800 yuan/booth; ★ International brand booth (9 ㎡, deluxe decoration) RMB 12,800 yuan/booth; overseas enterprises: RMB 18,800 yuan/booth; ★ Indoor bare space (minimum 36 ㎡): China enterprises: RMB 1,000 yuan/㎡; overseas enterprises: RMB 2,000 yuan/㎡; Booth equipped with: two fluorescent tubes, one waste basket, display boards, header board, one table and two chairs, air conditioning, lighting, security, and cleaning services. Note: Bare space does not include any exhibition facilities. Special decoration management fees and hydropower fees charged by the venue shall be borne by the exhibitors and their special decoration contractors. [Organizing Committee Secretariat] Contact: Song Jia 132-1700-0270 (same on WeChat) Official website: http://www.jxysjs.net

Following the filing of the Chifeng project in April 2026, Zhongke Yitan's second green fuel base in Inner Mongolia — the Urad Houqi 500,000 mt green methanol-to-SAF project — was recently officially filed. The two projects have a combined investment of over 14.4 billion yuan, located in Bayannur and Chifeng respectively, and will simultaneously construct hydrogen production, methanol production, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities.

[General Motors Launches IT Department Overhaul, Laying Off Hundreds of White-Collar Employees] General Motors plans to cut hundreds of salaried white-collar employees in its information technology department to reduce costs and make room for talent with skills in other technology areas. People familiar with the matter revealed that the layoffs affected approximately "500 to 600" people, adding that company management began issuing notices to affected employees on the morning of May 11. In response to an inquiry from Bloomberg News, General Motors confirmed that it was carrying out layoffs in some positions. In a statement, General Motors said the layoffs stemmed from a transformation and restructuring of its information technology department, aimed at optimizing the company's overall strategic positioning for the future.

The 2nd SMM Southeast Asia Automotive Supply Chain Conference 2025 was successfully held, featuring the on-site launch of 10 new car models, three automakers’ Southeast Asia brand strategies, and SMM’s local steel prices in Thailand. It facilitated efficient discussions between 12+ buyers and 60+ suppliers, and preliminarily established an exchange platform for the entire automotive industry chain in Southeast Asia. The NEV industry in Southeast Asia is now entering a critical development stage. Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam each have their own plans and breakthroughs, while the industry also faces challenges such as supply chain restructuring, competition among technology pathways, and localization compliance. With support from all parties, SMM’s local pricing systems in Thailand and Indonesia have been implemented and adopted by core enterprises, establishing a credible cost benchmark for the industry. The 3rd conference in 2026 will focus on three core priorities: exploring the sales potential of new energy vehicles in Southeast Asia; connecting the last mile of the supply chain and integrating regional industry resources; upgrading SMM Southeast Asia metal quotations from price references to trading benchmarks, implementing procurement applications for electrification materials, and establishing an executable pricing system. We firmly believe that real progress comes from turning consensus into action. At this conference, sincerely invites you to gather again in Bangkok to jointly turn the strategic blueprint into market competitive advantages, and to witness and participate in this extraordinary and far-reaching industry event, creating a brilliant new chapter together! Click to register for attendance now. Booth No.: B02 Delivering Power, Delivering Value LANDAI Technology 1996: Establishment 2015: Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange 2025: Thailand Plant Establishment Products Automotive transmission gear, shaft, balance shaft, EV reducer Employees: 5,000+ Sales : RMB 3 billion Plant Location Chongqing, China Ma’anshan, China Huizhou, China Chonburi, Thailand LANDAI Technology Contact Information Contact www.cqld.com Contact: Frank Xiang Tel: +86-135 2755 5915 Email: frank@cqld.com Contact: Wei Huang 8393 4378 Email: huangw@cqldai.com Contact Us Yan Caowei 15618581967 yancaowei@smm.cn

[SMM Hydrogen Energy Brief: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics' New Air-Cooled Stack Technology Passes Appraisal] On May 10, the high specific power cathode-closed air-cooled stack technology developed by the team of Academician Chen Zhongwei and Associate Researcher Zhang Meng from the National Key Laboratory of Energy Catalytic Conversion at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics passed the scientific and technological achievement appraisal by China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. This achievement breaks through three core key technologies, effectively resolving the industry contradiction between water retention and oxygen mass transfer in air-cooled fuel cells, and solving technical challenges such as low humidity performance degradation, carbon corrosion, dry membrane flooding, and high power thermal management. Currently, the team has construction completed a full-chain independent R&D system from materials and components to systems, holds 21 China invention patents, has established an automated production line and possesses large-scale delivery capability. Related products have been applied in fields such as agriculture and forestry operations, power inspection, and emergency rescue. Industrial drones equipped with this technology have achieved a driving range improvement of more than twice that of traditional batteries.

SMM News, May 12: Metals market: Overnight, domestic market base metals mostly rose. SHFE copper was up 2.35%. SHFE aluminum was up 0.57%, SHFE lead was down 0.24%. SHFE zinc was up 1.33%. SHFE tin was up 1.8%. SHFE nickel was up 0.83%. In addition, the most-traded alumina futures were up 0.53%, and the most-traded foundry aluminum futures were up 0.82%. Overnight, ferrous metals mostly fell. Iron ore was down 0.24%, stainless steel edged down, rebar was down 0.18%, and hot-rolled coil edged up. Coking coal and coke: coking coal was down 0.65%, coke was up 0.19%. Overnight, overseas market metals saw LME base metals rise across the board. LME copper was up 2.84%. LME aluminum was up 2.27%, LME lead was up 0.56%. LME zinc was up 1.19%. LME tin was up 2.31%. LME nickel was up 1.64%. Overnight precious metals : COMEX gold was up 0.31%, COMEX silver was up 7.35%. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE gold contract was up 0.45%, and the most-traded SHFE silver contract was up 6.47%. Gandharv Walia, a columnist for India's Economic Times, said that on Monday, gold prices fell as geopolitical tensions sparked inflation concerns and shifted interest rate expectations. Silver performed differently — silver typically benefits from both industrial and investment demand, and traders increased purchases on expectations of industrial use and price momentum. The market currently expects fluctuations in the precious metals market. US April inflation data will be released this week. Strong inflation data could delay interest rate cuts, which could put pressure on gold again; lower inflation could support gold prices. Global diplomatic efforts on the Iran issue are equally important, as any outcome could affect market sentiment and precious metals prices. On the other hand, silver benefits from industrial demand. The manufacturing and technology sectors require silver for electronic devices and energy systems. If economic activity remains stable, silver may continue to outperform gold. (Jin10) As of 7:18 AM, May 12, overnight closing prices: Macro front China: [The General Office of the State Council Issued the "State Council 2026 Annual Legislative Work Plan"] The State Council Legislative Plan emphasized promoting high-quality development, maintaining high-level security through high-quality legislation, and ensuring the smooth achievement of economic and social development goals during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. First, to build a high-level socialist market economic system and accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, it listed the draft Financial Law, the draft amendment to the Tendering and Bidding Law, and the formulation of regulations on building a unified national market. Second, to strengthen the rule-of-law government and optimize the business environment, it will revise the implementation regulations of the Administrative Reconsideration Law and the procedures for formulating administrative regulations. Third, to accelerate high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and stimulate cultural innovation, it listed the draft amendment to the Teachers Law and the revision of the Internet Information Service Management Measures. Fourth, to strengthen people's livelihood and accelerate green transformation, it listed the draft amendment to the Road Traffic Safety Law, the formulation of water supply regulations, and the revision of the Drug Administration Law implementation regulations. Fifth, to modernize the national security system and build a safer China, it listed the draft amendment to the Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Law and the formulation of regulations on production safety hazard investigation and management. Sixth, to strengthen foreign-related legal systems and expand high-level opening-up, it listed the draft amendment to the Customs Law, the formulation of State Council provisions on industry chain and supply chain security, and the revision of the regulations on origin of import and export goods. Meanwhile, the State Council Legislative Plan made arrangements for accelerating comprehensive legislation on the healthy development of artificial intelligence, and outlined plans for legislation urgently needed for further comprehensive deepening of reform, accelerating government function transformation, developing new quality productive forces, safeguarding national security, strengthening foreign-related rule of law, and advancing national defense and military modernization. (Xinhua) [PBOC Q1 Monetary Policy Implementation Report: Continue to Implement Moderately Accommodative Monetary Policy] The People's Bank of China released its Q1 2026 China Monetary Policy Implementation Report. The report stated: continue to implement a moderately accommodative monetary policy. Enhance the foresight, flexibility, and precision of policies, grasp the intensity, pace, and timing of policy implementation based on economic and financial conditions in and outside China and financial market operations, strengthen coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, smooth monetary policy transmission mechanisms, and promote stable economic growth and reasonable price rebound. Flexibly use various monetary policy tools, maintain ample liquidity and relatively accommodative social financing conditions, guide reasonable growth in aggregate financial volume and balanced credit allocation, so that the growth of aggregate social financing and money supply matches economic growth and overall price level targets. [China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance: Combined Power Battery and ESS Battery Exports Reached 31.7 Gwh in April, up 42% YoY] The latest monthly data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance showed that in April, affected by the new export tax rebate policy, China's combined power battery and ESS battery exports reached 31.7 Gwh, down 12.3% MoM and up 42.0% YoY, accounting for 19.3% of monthly sales. Among them, power battery exports were 20.2 Gwh, accounting for 63.9% of total exports, down 9.0% MoM and up 40.1% YoY; ESS battery exports were 11.4 Gwh, accounting for 36.1% of total exports, down 17.4% MoM and up 45.4% YoY. [China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products Submitted Comments on the EU Cybersecurity Act Amendment Draft] Recently, the EU has been pushing to amend the Cybersecurity Act, adding an "ICT Supply Chain Security" chapter to the amendment draft, which introduces numerous restrictive and exclusionary provisions for market access of overseas suppliers. Once implemented, this could seriously hinder fair competition for Chinese enterprises in the EU market. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) noted the high level of industry concern and fully utilized the EU's legislative review opportunity to submit comments to the European Commission from an industry organization perspective. CCCME also noted that recent EU measures — including the Industrial Accelerator Act and other legislative initiatives, as well as the designation of China as a "high-risk country" in inverter projects at the implementation level — could seriously affect Chinese machinery and electronics enterprises' exports to and operations in the EU. CCCME will closely monitor developments on all fronts and assist domestic enterprises in actively addressing related risks and challenges. (Wallstreetcn) [Baotou Released 16 New Housing Market Policies, to Optimize Housing Provident Fund Support] Baotou officially issued the "Measures for Continuously Promoting Stable and Healthy Development of the Real Estate Market." Among the measures, it will optimize housing provident fund support by raising the maximum loan amount for families with two or more children purchasing owner-occupied housing by 10% above the current level (currently, the maximum loan for a single contributor is 700,000 yuan, and for dual-contributor couples, 1.2 million yuan); and support flexible employment workers in voluntarily participating in the housing provident fund system with equal access to housing provident fund policies. US dollar: Overnight, the US dollar index was up 0.08%, closing at 97.94. The US "inflation week" officially kicked off, with CPI (Tuesday), PPI (Wednesday), and import prices (Thursday) all to be released this week, directly affecting judgments on the US Fed's policy path. According to the CME FedWatch tool: the probability of the US Fed keeping rates unchanged through June was 97.7%, with a 2.3% probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point cut. The probability of rates remaining unchanged through July was 94.6%, with a 5.4% probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point cut and a 0.1% probability of a cumulative 50-basis-point cut. Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee for the next Fed Chairman, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Monday local time. Powell's chairmanship will end this Friday. The Senate is expected to vote as early as Tuesday, following Monday's so-called "cloture vote," to confirm Warsh as a Fed Governor for a 14-year term. Senators will then initiate the confirmation process for his concurrent four-year term as Fed Chairman, with a vote possible as early as Wednesday. The Republican-controlled Senate is expected to approve Warsh as the next Fed leader. The US Fed's next meeting — potentially Warsh's first as chairman — is scheduled for June 16-17 local time. (Jin10) Macro: Data to be released today include Germany's April CPI monthly rate final reading, Germany's May ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, Eurozone May ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, US April NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, US weekly ADP employment change for the week ending April 25, US April non-seasonally adjusted CPI annual rate, US April seasonally adjusted CPI monthly rate, US April seasonally adjusted core CPI monthly rate, and US April non-seasonally adjusted core CPI annual rate. In addition, attention should be paid to: the Bank of Japan's release of the summary of opinions from the April monetary policy meeting; permanent FOMC voter and New York Fed President Williams participating in a panel discussion on monetary policy; and Vice Premier He Lifeng leading a delegation to South Korea from May 12-13 for trade consultations with the US side. Crude oil: Overnight, both oil futures rose, with WTI up 2.97% and Brent up 3.25%. US-Iran ceasefire negotiations reached an impasse, and the near-standstill of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued to intensify market concerns over energy supply disruptions, pushing oil prices higher. (Wallstreetcn) The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) allocated 53.5 million barrels of crude oil to companies including commodity trader Trafigura Group and US refiner Marathon Petroleum to help ease the oil price surge triggered by the Iran war. Ahead of the US summer driving peak, the US government is releasing near-record levels of crude oil to the market to bring down oil prices. The crude oil will be released from June to August, when refineries will ramp up capacity to meet peak gasoline demand. This sale, the second-largest SPR release in history, is also part of a global effort led by the International Energy Agency to bring down oil prices. Last week, the US had already released a record daily average of 1.22 million barrels of crude oil under this framework. The Trump administration pledged to release 172 million barrels of crude oil through a so-called "exchange program." Under this mechanism, crude oil is lent to companies and must later be returned in kind. To date, the US has agreed to release 133.1 million barrels of crude oil. (Jin10)

In April 2026, the national consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.2% YoY. Among them, urban areas rose 1.2% and rural areas rose 1.0%; food prices fell 1.6% and non-food prices rose 1.8%; consumer goods prices rose 1.4% and service prices rose 0.9%. On average from January to April, the national CPI rose 0.9% compared with the same period of the previous year.