In the medium to long term, the reverse-charging invoice policy will reshape the secondary copper circulation system, accelerating industry consolidation, and high-precision copper billet for new energy and AI computing power will become the core growth driver for the copper billet industry in the future.

I. Full Review of Copper Billet Industry in H1 2026 (I) Policy Side: Strict Control of Reverse Invoicing, Long-Term Restriction on Recycled Raw Material Circulation In H1, fiscal and tax supervision became the core underlying constraint weighing on the copper billet industry. The reverse invoicing policy for recycled resources entered a phase of normalized, high-pressure implementation; natural-person individual sellers had an annual invoicing quota of 5 million yuan, which significantly narrowed circulation channels for domestic unticketed scrap brass. Grassroots recyclers showed low willingness to sell, leading to a persistent shortage of compliant domestic sources of secondary brass. During the policy transition period, corporate compliance costs rose notably. Small and medium-sized processing plants, lacking channels for stable raw materials with invoices, were forced to proactively cut production and undertake maintenance to avoid risks. Large top-tier players leveraged their international trade qualifications and stable import sources to buffer the raw material gap, accelerating the concentration of industry capacity toward compliant large-scale enterprises. The No. 770 policy on secondary copper tax rebates continued to tighten, completely compressing the grey circulation space in the industry. The contradiction of raw materials "having the goods but no invoices available, with invoiced goods at high prices" pervaded the entire H1 cycle. (II) Raw Materials and Imports/Exports: Domestic Secondary Supply Contracted, Premiums on Imported Secondary Brass Rose 1. Domestic Raw Material Bottleneck Intensified The compliant circulation volume of domestic scrap brass fell sharply YoY, weakening the cost advantages of secondary brass over copper cathode. Most brass billet plants faced difficulties in raw material procurement and high credit costs, and with the natural-person quota ceiling constraint, supply could hardly return to the level seen in previous years. Meanwhile, speculation in the brass scrap market further drove up prices, and copper-zinc separation operations raised overall raw material costs. 2. Imported Cargo Became a Mainstream Supplement, but Costs Continued to Rise Domestic enterprises turned to bulk purchasing of imported secondary brass with invoices. In H1, imports of secondary brass maintained YoY growth, however, overseas scrap copper export policy uncertainties and rising international copper prices pushed up procurement premiums. Available overseas scrap brass supply tightened, and import procurement coefficients continued to climb, further raising raw material costs for brass billet. Data Source: SMM From January to May, cumulative imports of brass billet in China were approximately 11,400 mt, down 1.23% YoY, but the cumulative import value reached $105.7079 million, up 23.42% YoY, highlighting a pattern of shrinking volume and rising prices. In terms of import sources, in May, South Korea remained the largest source country (accounting for approximately 40%), with Japan second (at approximately 16%), showing initial signs of regional diversification. (III) Costs and Prices: Copper Prices Swung Wildly at Highs, Industry RC Continued to Decline In H1 2026, copper cathode prices showed a pattern of "retreating after a rapid rise and consolidating at highs." Prices hit an annual peak in January and fell to a periodic low in March. In Q2, the price center stabilized above 100,000 yuan/mt, with the annual average price rising sharply YoY, directly lifting raw material costs for copper billet. As of end-June, the average spot price of Hpb59-1 brass billet in the Zhejiang region had climbed to a historical high of 70,650 yuan/mt. Price transmission had significant blockages: traditional downstream brass demand was sluggish, with end-users possessing strong bargaining power, so raw material price increases could not be smoothly transferred downstream. The industry exhibited a typical pressured pattern of "rising prices with weak volume." From April to May, the overall profitability pressure on the industry climbed to its worst level in the past two to three years. High-precision copper billet used in new energy and AI applications saw stronger RC resilience due to technical barriers and stable rigid demand, making it the only sub-category with relatively stable profits in H1. Coupled with rising logistics, tax, and capital occupation costs, most small and medium-sized brass billet enterprises remained in a state of meager profit or even losses over the long term. (IV) Supply and Demand: Demand Severely Polarized, Operating Rates Stayed Low 1. Supply Side: Operating Rate Weakened Month by Month, Enterprise Polarization Significant The overall copper billet operating rate drifted lower in H1, continuously falling back from 50.86% in January to 46.09% in June, with declines seen both YoY and MoM. The gap in capacity polarization continued to widen: large enterprises with stable raw material channels saw a 52.6% operating rate in June; medium-sized enterprises, squeezed by both raw materials and orders, operated at only 38.76%; small processing plants, facing raw material shortages and order scarcity, saw operating rates fall to 23.44%, intensifying industry polarization. Raw material constraints were the core supply-side constraint; coupled with losses forcing enterprises to control production, the overall industry capacity utilization rate remained in a historically low range in H1. 2. Demand Side: Traditional Sectors Weakened Deeply, Emerging Sectors Strengthened Independently Traditional brass demand (air conditioning, plumbing, valves, general hardware) remained persistently weak in H1. The downturn in the post-property cycle, combined with an early off-season for home appliances, saw downstream users purchasing as needed without concentrated restocking. Meanwhile, the substitution penetration rate of stainless steel in air conditioning parts continued to rise, continuously diverting rigid demand from brass, and brass billet orders shrank month by month. Data Source: SMM Structural demand support was concentrated in the copper billet segment: the three electric systems (power battery, drive motor, and electronic control system) of NEVs, large-power charging piles, energy storage PCS, AI server GPU cooling, and precision pins for optical modules continuously released stable rigid demand. Orders for high-purity oxygen-free copper billet were full, partially offsetting the overall decline in industry demand. However, with copper billet capacity accounting for a limited share, this was not enough to boost the brass segment's recovery. II. Market Outlook for Copper Billet Industry in H2 2026 In Q3, the industry is expected to be under pressure and hit bottom. The traditional off-season, coupled with high temperatures suppressing end-user procurement and the ongoing impact of stainless steel substitution, is expected to weigh on brass demand. SMM expects the overall copper billet operating rate to continue falling to 43.65% in July, hitting an annual low. Policy-side reverse invoicing supervision is unlikely to ease, capping the compliant supply of domestic scrap brass. Combined with continuously tightening controls on overseas scrap copper exports, the pattern of high premiums on imported secondary brass is expected to persist. The raw material bottleneck is set to run through the off-season. Brass billet is anticipated to be dragged down by the triple headwinds of the off-season, substitution, and low RCs, with profitability under sustained pressure in Q3. Only the continued commissioning of NEV and AI computing infrastructure projects is likely to bring rigid demand orders for copper billet, forming the sole demand support. In Q4, prosperity is expected to recover on a QoQ basis. As home appliances and plumbing enter their traditional stockpiling peak season, brass billet orders are expected to rebound MoM. Combined with year-end push for annual targets in PV, energy storage, and NEVs, demand for copper billet is expected to further strengthen, with industry operating rates and transactions both recovering. However, copper cathode prices are highly likely to continue consolidating at highs, with the raw material cost center stay high, putting cost pressure on processing enterprises throughout the year. In the medium and long term, the traditional brass demand center is expected to decline year by year, while AI computing, new energy, and energy storage constitute the core growth drivers of the copper billet industry. Small and medium-sized outdated capacity is expected to continuously exit the market, while top-tier players are simultaneously laying out high-end copper billet capacity. The three major thresholds of raw materials, orders, and compliance continue to widen the gap between enterprises, making the industry's transformation towards scale, compliance, and high-end manufacturing an irreversible trend. In summary: In H1 2026, the core contradictions in the copper billet industry were supply shortages caused by tightening recycled raw material policies, weakening traditional end-use demand, and the squeezing of processing profits by high copper prices. The industry relied on new energy and AI copper billet for structural support, maintaining a generally weak operating environment. In H2, the market is expected to show a pattern of initial weakness followed by later strength: in Q3, the triple negative resonance of the off-season, raw materials, and substitution is expected to keep operating rates and profitability under sustained pressure; in Q4, the combination of the traditional end-user peak season and continuously increasing volumes from emerging sectors is expected to repair industry prosperity on a QoQ basis. In the medium and long term, the reverse invoicing policy is reshaping the secondary copper circulation system, accelerating market clearing. High-precision copper billet for new energy and AI computing infrastructure is expected to become the core future growth line for the copper billet industry.

SMM statistics show the comprehensive operating rate of China's copper billet enterprises was 46.09% in June, down 3.18 percentage points MoM and pulling back slightly by 0.06 percentage points YoY

According to the latest SMM data, the comprehensive operating rate of China's copper billet enterprises continued its downward trend in June, with a significant polarization pattern between large and small mills. The tightening supply of recycled brass raw materials and the traditional end-use demand entering a deep off-season formed a dual drag, while only orders for copper billets from the new energy and AI supporting sectors provided structural support. Finished product inventories at enterprises accumulated slightly. Based on feedback from sample enterprises, market expectations for the industry in July were generally pessimistic, with the triple headwinds of off-season pressure, raw material bottlenecks, and material substitution resonating. The operating rate is expected to decline further. June industry operating data released, capacity polarization gap continues to widen : According to SMM statistics, the comprehensive operating rate of China's copper billet enterprises was 46.09% in June, down 3.18 percentage points MoM and pulling back slightly by 0.06 percentage point YoY, with overall production staying low. By enterprise scale, large leading enterprises leveraged stable raw material channels, ample capital reserves, and long-term quality client resources to show relatively stronger production resilience, with an operating rate of 52.6% in June; medium-sized enterprises were squeezed by both raw material and order pressures, restricting capacity release, with an operating rate of only 38.76%; small processing plants faced the most prominent pressure, with the operating rate falling to 23.44%, further intensifying the industry’s polarization. Supply-side bottlenecks remain unresolved, with losses continuing to squeeze processing margins : Raw material shortages remain the core pain point constraining copper billet production. Currently, reverse invoicing controls for recycled resources have been continuously tightened, significantly shrinking the circulation of compliant scrap brass in China. The willingness to sell at the recycling end is low, narrowing the procurement channels for domestic secondary copper at processing plants; enterprises have instead increased their purchases of imported recycled brass, but overseas quotations have continued to rise, keeping import procurement costs high. On the one hand, tight supply and purchasing premiums are driving up raw material costs; on the other, weak traditional end-user orders make it difficult to pass on processing charges , leaving most brass billet processing plants stuck in a “raw materials hard to buy, processing unprofitable” dilemma, with industry profit margins being continuously squeezed. Some small and medium-sized enterprises, facing losses from raw material costs, have proactively scaled back production schedules and controlled output to avoid risks, further dragging down the overall operating rate. Demand-side off-season characteristics are prominent, with demand from old and new tracks showing a stark contrast : The seasonal weakening of demand has had a clear impact on the industry. June is the traditional off-season for downstream brass consumption in air conditioning, plumbing, valves, and ordinary hardware. Downstream end-user enterprises purchased as needed, with no concentrated stockpiling. The scale of new orders continued to shrink, and the overall trading atmosphere for brass billets turned sluggish. Demand structure shows significant divergence : Traditional brass category orders continue to weaken, but high-purity copper billet demand provides a strong offset. Three electric systems for NEVs, large-power charging piles, PCS, as well as AI servers, GPU cooling modules, optical module precision pins and other parts continue to release stable rigid demand, driving copper billet enterprise orders to remain steady, becoming the only demand resilience sector in the industry. However, sluggish procurement from traditional end-users drags down the overall shipment pace, copper billet enterprises' finished product inventories continue to accumulate, and inventory pressure gradually emerges , with the stockpiling turnover cycle in plants lengthening and production enthusiasm further dampened. July market outlook: Multiple bearish factors resonate, and the operating rate is expected to decline again , based on frontline survey feedback from national sample copper billet enterprises, market expectations for July industry operation are generally pessimistic; improvement momentum is insufficient in the short term, and multiple negative factors will continue to ferment: raw material bottlenecks have no relief space in the short term, off-season pressure continues to intensify, and structural support is unlikely to boost the overall market. On both the supply and demand sides, SMM expects the comprehensive operating rate of domestic copper billet to fall by 2.44 percentage points MoM to 43.65% in July, down 1.17 percentage points YoY , and the industry's low-level operation is expected to persist. In the short term, the copper billet industry still needs to wait for the recovery of the traditional peak consumption season and a substantial easing in the supply of recycled raw materials before seeing a simultaneous recovery in operating rates and profitability.

★ Macro ★ 01 ★★ [Oil Prices May Return to the 7-Yuan Era] According to China's refined oil product price adjustment cycle, the 13th adjustment window of the year will open at 24:00 on July 3, with only 3 statistical working days remaining and 70% of the current pricing cycle completed. As reported by Dazhong Daily, the decline in oil prices has continued to widen during this cycle, deepening for six consecutive days from an initial drop of just over 0.4 yuan to the current level exceeding 0.65 yuan. The trend of a substantial cut appears largely irreversible, and this Friday evening may mark the year's first triple consecutive decline in oil prices, as well as the fourth price reduction in 2024. As of the calculation data from the 7th working day, estimated figures show a cut of 820 yuan/mt for gasoline and 790 yuan/mt for diesel. Converted to retail terminal unit prices, estimates show a drop of 0.66 yuan per liter for 92-octane gasoline, 0.7 yuan per liter for 95-octane gasoline, and 0.68 yuan per liter for 0# diesel. The two previous adjustments in June had already achieved a double consecutive decline, with cumulative cuts of 1,040 yuan/mt and 1,000 yuan/mt for gasoline and diesel respectively, equivalent to a cumulative price drop of between 0.84 and 0.89 yuan per liter. The price of 92-octane gasoline has fallen below 8 yuan, returning to the 7-yuan range. Once this round of cuts takes effect, the national average price for 95-octane gasoline may fall below 8 yuan, re-entering the 7-yuan era. 02 ★★ [US and Iranian Officials to Hold Indirect Talks in Doha] Sources stated on July 1 that officials from the US and Iran will hold indirect talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, later that day. ★ Industry and Downstream ★ 01 ★★ [Shenzhen Real Estate Market Hits New High for June Transactions in Nearly Six Years] According to data released today by the Shenzhen Centaline Research Center, first-hand and second-hand residential transactions in Shenzhen totaled 8,878 units in June, down 11.9% MoM yet up 14.2% YoY. The combined transaction volume was the highest for the same period since 2021. Specifically, online registrations for new housing (pre-sale and existing) amounted to 3,785 units, a decrease of 16.7% MoM but an increase of 15.6% YoY, while second-hand housing transfers reached 5,093 units, down 8% MoM but up 13.1% YoY. Monitoring data indicates that both new home pre-sales and second-hand home transactions in Shenzhen for the month reached record highs for the same period over the past six years, marking the best June performance for the property market in nearly six years. 02 ★★ [China-Made Air Conditioners See Export Orders Surge from Europe] Data shows that only about 20% of European households have air conditioning installed. Due to the concentrated surge in European demand for cooling, export orders for Chinese-made air conditioners have continued to grow. Air conditioning enterprises are working overtime to produce and fulfill these export orders. At an enterprise's air conditioner production workshop in Jiangmen, Guangdong, workers are rushing to assemble air conditioner parts. Since March this year, the enterprise’s export orders to the European market saw a sharp increase, with exports in May exceeding 800,000 units, up 20.3% YoY. The person in charge told the reporter that many residential buildings in Europe were built long ago, building facades are subject to strict controls, and installation procedures for traditional split air conditioners are complicated with high approval thresholds. Mobile air conditioners produced by Chinese enterprises, which require no outdoor unit and no wall drilling, precisely match the usage scenarios of local homes, apartments, and shops. An air conditioner enterprise’s sales in the French market in June surged over 100% YoY, while its Italian market sales rose 30% YoY in June. 03 ★★ [Chongqing: Promoting Housing "Trade-in" and Optimizing Support Policies such as "Selling Smaller to Buy Larger" and "Transfer with Mortgage"] The Chongqing Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Committee is publicly soliciting opinions on the "Chongqing Urban Housing High-Quality Development 15th Five-Year Plan (Draft for Comments)". It proposes to promote a virtuous cycle in the new and second-hand housing markets, advance housing "trade-in", optimize support policies such as "selling smaller to buy larger" and "transfer with mortgage", reduce transaction costs, and foster synergy between the new and second-hand housing markets. Based on the "Yuyue Anju" system, fully implement online contract signing services for existing homes, establish and improve mechanisms for supervision of existing home transaction funds, listing and release of property listings, and price monitoring; simplify the transaction process, strengthen real estate registration information sharing, automatically verify property information, and promote "one-stop acceptance" and full online processing of transaction services. 04 ★★ [TISCO Steel Science & Technology Company Successfully Trials T1100S-Grade Ultra-High-Strength Carbon Fiber in a Single Attempt] According to China Baowu, recently, the TISCO Steel Science & Technology Company under China Baowu successfully trial-produced T1100S-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber in a single attempt, with excellent performance across all key indicators, reaching domestic leading and international advanced levels. Carbon fiber is a key strategic material supporting aerospace and high-end equipment manufacturing. From aircraft structural components to rocket casings, breakthroughs in lightweight materials directly determine the performance ceiling of equipment. The T1100S grade, meanwhile, is a top-tier high-modulus, ultra-high-strength carbon fiber in the industry, with extremely high technical barriers, and has long been a key focus of China’s new material breakthroughs. 05 ★★ [In H1, New Home Prices in 100 Chinese Cities Edge Up Cumulatively, While Second-Hand Home Prices Fall] In the first half of this year, new home prices in 100 Chinese cities continued a structural uptrend. In June, the average new home price in the 100 cities was 17,184 yuan per m², up 0.16% MoM and up 2% YoY. Second-hand home prices in the 100 cities fell cumulatively. In June, the average second-hand home price in the 100 cities was 12,639 yuan per m², down 0.42% MoM and down 7.68% YoY. Core cities were the first to show positive signals: Shenzhen’s second-hand home prices turned to a month-on-month increase in June, while Shanghai’s second-hand home prices rose MoM for four consecutive months. ★Other Hot Topics★ ⭕ [China Fully Enters Main Flooding Season Today] Starting July 1, China fully entered the main flooding season. According to forecasts and comprehensive assessments, during the main flooding season (July–August), both northern and southern China will see areas of heavy rainfall, with the north facing relatively severe flooding, more frequent localized extreme rainstorms and floods, and stronger typhoons moving northward to affect inland areas. Meanwhile, parts of the southwest and northwest may experience periodic droughts due to high temperatures and low rainfall. The flood control and drought relief situation is severe and complex. On the morning of July 1, the Ministry of Water Resources organized a rolling consultation to analyze and assess the current and near-term development of rainfall, water conditions, flooding, and drought, and deployed targeted key preventive measures accordingly. Based on the 24-hour rainfall forecast, the ministry issued province-specific targeted early warnings to 14 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), including Liaoning, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. These warnings detailed lists of counties (cities and districts) under heavy rainfall coverage, reservoir lists, and flash flood disaster risk areas and locations, and reminded relevant parties to ensure safe reservoir operation during flooding, and to guard against small and medium river floods and flash flood disasters. ⭕ [Domestic Route Fuel Surcharges to Be Sharply Cut from July 5] 9 Air issued a notice today stating that effective July 5, 2026 (ticket issuance date), domestic route fuel surcharges will be reduced. For routes over 800 kilometers, each passenger will be charged 100 yuan, and for routes of 800 kilometers or less, each passenger will be charged 50 yuan, representing cuts of 50 yuan and 30 yuan, respectively, from the previous levels. In April and May this year, domestic fuel surcharges were raised significantly for consecutive months. Starting June 5, they were reduced by 20 yuan and 10 yuan for the two categories. With the decline in fuel prices, the fuel surcharge reduction in July is much larger. ⭕ ["US ADP Employment Data" Lower Than Expected] US ADP employment for June was 98,000, the lowest increase since March, below the expected 118,000. The prior reading was 122,000. *This report is an original work and/or compilation produced exclusively by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM"). SMM legally holds the copyright and is protected by the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China and other applicable laws and international treaties. No reproduction, modification, sale, transfer, display, translation, compilation, dissemination, or any other form of disclosure of the above content to third parties or licensing thereof is permitted without written authorization. Otherwise, upon discovery, SMM will pursue legal action for infringement, including but not limited to demanding the assumption of contractual breach liability, restitution of unjust enrichment, and compensation for direct and indirect economic losses. All contents contained in this report, including but not limited to information, articles, data, charts, pictures, sounds, videos, logos, advertisements, trademarks, trade names, domain names, layout designs, and any or all other information, are protected by the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China, the Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People's Republic of China, as well as applicable international treaties concerning copyrights, trademark rights, domain name rights, commercial data and information property rights, and other rights. They are owned or held by SMM and its relevant rights holders. 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"The heatwave has significantly driven sales growth, especially the PortaSplit air conditioner, which has sold out in some sales channels."

SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition 2027 June 2-4 China · National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) No. 333 , Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai Integrate the Ecosystem, Empower the Future of the Energy Chain Pre face: Co-organized by 25 international institutions and organizations including the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES), the Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA), the Shanghai Federation of Economic Organizations (SFEO), the Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC), and the Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA), the “SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” will be grandly held in Shanghai, China, from June 2 to 4, 2027. From 15,000 m² at its first edition in 2007, the “SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” grew to 360,000+ m² in 2026, attracting more than 2,800 enterprises from 95 countries and regions worldwide, with international exhibitors accounting for 30%, and has become the most influential international, professional, and large-scale energy storage event in China, Asia, and the world. SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition is the world’s most professional energy storage exhibition. Its exhibits include: international energy storage technologies and smart grids, energy storage technologies, equipment and materials, ESS power stations and EPC projects, grid connection of new energy power generation and intelligent transmission and distribution, power grid dispatching and automated control, smart metering and power consumption management, smart grid information and communications, international NEVs and charging piles, NEVs, power drive systems, key parts for NEVs, automotive design, charging facilities, etc., covering every link of the energy storage industry chain. The SNEC Energy Storage Forum also features a particularly rich variety of formats, covering analysis of future market trends in the energy storage industry, cooperative development strategies, policy orientations of various countries, cutting-edge industry technologies, energy storage finance, etc., and is the best opportunity to showcase achievements to the industry. We look forward to global stakeholders gathering in Shanghai, China, taking an industry-wide perspective and a problem-oriented approach, to jointly assess the energy storage markets in China, Asia, and the world, and to lead the path of innovative industry development together. May we meet in Shanghai in June 2026! Schedule: Move-in: May 30, 2027 13:30-18:00 May 31, 2027 & June 1 9:00-20:00 Exhibition: June 2-3, 2027 09:00-17:00 June 4 09:00-14:00 Move-out: June 4, 2027 14:00-24:00 Organizing Institutions: Approving Authority Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce Lead Organizers Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA) Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Energy Research Society Shanghai Federation of Industrial Economics (SFIE) Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC) Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA) Co-organizers Global Green Energy Industry Council (GGEIC) New Energy Industry Association Asia Pacific (NEIAAP) China Electric Power Construction Enterprise Association (CEPCA) Photovoltaic Professional Committee of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CPVS) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA) Supporter Solar Photovoltaic Products Sub-Council of China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products (CCCME) Exhibition Contractors Shanghai Follow Me Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Solar Cloud Exhibition Services Co., Ltd. Follow Me Int'l Exhibition USA Inc. Follow me International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Exhibit Scope (Categories): International Energy Storage Technologies and Smart Grids A. Energy storage technologies, equipment and materials: Compressed air energy storage, pumped storage, superconducting electromagnetic energy storage, flywheel energy storage, thermal/cold energy storage, hydrogen storage and other energy storage technologies, equipment and materials applicable to plug-in EVs; various batteries (nickel–metal hydride battery, lithium-ion battery, lithium polymer battery, lead-acid battery, smart battery, sodium-sulfur battery), energy storage power supply, supercapacitors, renewable fuel cell, flow battery and other technologies, equipment and materials B. ESS power stations and EPC projects: BMS battery management system, PCS energy storage inverter, microgrid, EV battery swapping/charging stations and related supporting facilities C. Grid connection of new energy power generation and intelligent transmission and distribution: Grid-tie inverter, light-duty DC equipment, operation monitoring devices, grid connection control systems, flexible transmission equipment, UHV transmission equipment, high-temperature superconducting equipment, high-temperature superconducting cables, distribution automation systems and protection devices, smart switching equipment, transformers, instrument transformers, smart components, digital substations, integrated substation automation, distribution network automation devices, online monitoring for transmission and distribution, fault diagnosis and self-healing devices, power quality monitoring, harmonic mitigation and reactive power compensation, superconducting electrical engineering technology, various new-type wires and cables, composite materials, safety protection D. Power grid dispatching and automated control: Smart power grid dispatching systems, dispatching integrated data platform systems, power grid security and control, intelligent inspection systems, integrated measurement/control/protection and arc suppression and line selection systems, safety and stability control system solutions, power monitoring systems and microcomputer-based relay protection, wide-area dynamic monitoring systems, online monitoring systems for power grid stability, distribution network intelligent reactive power compensation devices, control software, remote control and telemetry devices, large-screen display systems, power system simulation E. Smart metering and power consumption management: Smart meters and chips, remote/centralized meter reading systems, power consumption information acquisition systems, power consumption management information systems, load management terminals, monitoring systems, inspection devices, metering cabinets and components, measuring instruments, sensors, semiconductors F. Smart grid information and communications: Internet of Things technologies, cloud computing technologies, multi-network convergence technologies, transmission technologies and equipment, access equipment, optical fiber and optical cables, industrial Ethernet, data communications and network technologies and related products, in-plant communications equipment, power line carrier equipment, supporting equipment and meters, digital microwave communications equipment, test equipment and instruments, online network monitoring equipment G. Others International NEVs and Charging Piles A. NEVs (passenger vehicles / commercial vehicles): Electric buses and trucks, electric sedans, electric sightseeing vehicles, electric golf carts, electric cleaning vehicles, hybrid buses and sedans, solar EVs, light-duty EVs, hybrid vehicles (micro hybrid, mild hybrid, medium hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid), battery EVs, fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen energy, natural gas and other new energy clean fuels, hybrid vehicles and various low-emission, environmentally friendly, energy-saving vehicles; B. Power drive systems: Power battery, battery management system, fuel cell, hybrid systems, drive motors, electric control systems, engines, detection and repair equipment, related testing, monitoring and protection instruments, related technologies; C. Key parts for NEVs: Power capacitors, supercapacitors, flywheels, inverter, electric heat pumps, electric power steering, electric air conditioning, tires, wire connections, electromagnetic technologies, related materials; coatings, transmissions, filters, carburetors, exhaust systems; axles, steering, braking, suspension systems; accessories for auto body; motors and electrical appliances, electronic components, electrical systems, circuits, wheel hub, tires, etc.; D. Automotive design: Complete vehicle design, system control design, etc. E. Charging facilities: Charging stations, charging piles; planning and achievements display of intelligent network projects for charging stations, expansion of gas stations into charging (battery swapping) stations, display of integrated refueling and charging service stations, technology products for solar- and wind-complementary NEV charging stations, power distribution equipment for charging stations, chargers, power monitoring systems, active filter devices, transformers, power distribution cabinets, cables, direct charging equipment, management auxiliary equipment, charging and swapping batteries and battery management systems, parking lot charging facilities, intelligent monitoring, power supply solutions for charging stations F. Others Exhibition Fees: Standard booth (deluxe standard, 3m x 3m ): China enterprises: RMB 23,800/booth Foreign-funded enterprises: US$4,900/booth Basic configuration: one consultation table, two folding chairs, one wastebasket, one 220V/500W power socket, two spotlights, Chinese and English header board, and carpet in the booth. Indoor bare space (minimum rental: 36 m²): China enterprises: RMB 2,380 /m 2 Foreign-funded enterprises: US$490 /m 2 Exhibitor Notes: 1. After confirming participation, the enterprise shall complete the exhibition application form, affix the official seal, and fax or mail it to the Organizing Committee; 2. Upon receipt of the booth reservation fee, the Organizing Committee will allocate booths to exhibitors in accordance with the principle of “first application, first payment, first arrangement”; 3. Payment details for exhibition fees: (1) The above exhibition fees do not include “construction deposit,” “construction management fee,” “facility rental fee,” and other fees; (2) Exhibitors that sign contract are requested to remit the deposit to the Organizing Committee’s account within ten working days from the date of contract signing, and fax the remittance voucher to the Organizing Committee for verification; (3) The remaining exhibition fees shall be remitted to the account designated by the Organizing Committee by December 31, 2026; 4. The placement order of advertisements in the conference booklet shall be based on the order in which advertising fees are received; the deadline for inclusion is March 31, 2027; 5. The Organizing Committee will send the Exhibitor Manual to participating enterprises in April 2027. For inquiries, please contact: Shanghai Follow Me Technology Co., Ltd. SNEC ES+ The 13th (2027) International Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition Contact: Manager Wei Tel: +86-13817218765 (WeChat same number) E-mail: weiwei@snec.org.cn

SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar PV and Smart Energy & Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition SNEC 20th (2027) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition 2027 6 2-4 National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai 333 Multi-Energy Complementarity and Integrated Development of PV, Energy Storage, and Hydrogen Pre- face: Co-organized by 25 international institutions and organizations including the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES), the Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA), the Shanghai Federation of Economic Organizations (SFEO), the Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC), and the Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA), the “SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar PV and Smart Energy & Energy Storage and Battery (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition” (hereinafter referred to as the “SNEC PV Conference and (Shanghai) Exhibition”) is scheduled to be grandly held in Shanghai, China, from June 2-4, 2027. The “SNEC PV Conference and (Shanghai) Exhibition” has grown from 15,000 m² at its first edition in 2007 to 360,000+ m² in 2026, attracting more than 2,800 enterprises from 95 countries and regions worldwide, with international exhibitors accounting for 30%, and has become the most influential international, professional, and large-scale PV event in China, Asia, and the world. The SNEC PV Exhibition is the world’s most professional PV exhibition, featuring exhibits including PV production equipment, materials, solar cells, PV application products and modules, as well as PV projects and systems, energy storage, mobile energy, and more, covering every segment of the PV industry chain. The SNEC PV Forum also offers an exceptionally rich and diverse range of formats, covering analysis of future market trends in the PV industry, strategies for cooperative development, policy directions of various countries, the industry’s most cutting-edge technologies, PV finance, and more, making it the best opportunity to showcase achievements to the industry. We look forward to gathering with relevant industry players from around the world in Shanghai, China, to take an industry-wide, problem-oriented perspective, jointly assess the solar PV power generation markets in China, Asia, and the world, and together lead the path of innovative development for the industry. May we meet in Shanghai in June 2026! Schedule: Move-in: May 30, 2027 13:30-18:00 May 31, 2027 & June 1, 2027 9:00-20:00 Exhibition: June 2-3, 2027 09:00-17:00 June 4 09:00-14:00 Move-out: June 4, 2027 14:00-24:00 Organizing Institutions: Approving Authority Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce Lead Organizers Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA) Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CRES) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Energy Research Society Shanghai Federation of Industrial Economics (SFIE) Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center (SSTEC) Shanghai New Energy Industry Association (SNEIA) Co-organizers Global Green Energy Industry Council (GGEIC) Asia-Pacific New Energy Industry Association (NEIAAP) China Electric Power Construction Enterprise Association (CEPCA) Photovoltaic Professional Committee of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society (CPVS) Renewable Energy Professional Committee of the China Association of Circular Economy (CREIA) Supporter Solar PV Products Sub-Council of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) Exhibition Organizers Shanghai Follow Me Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Solarun Exhibition Service Co., Ltd. Follow Me Int'l Exhibition USA Inc. Follow me International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Exhibit Scope (Exhibit Categories): Solar PV A. PV Production Equipment: Silicon rod, silicon lumps, and silicon ingot production equipment: complete production lines, casting ingot furnaces, crucibles, growth furnaces, and other related equipment Silicon wafer and wafer production equipment: complete production lines, cutting equipment, cleaning equipment, detection equipment, and other related equipment Battery production equipment: Complete production lines, etching equipment, cleaning equipment, diffusion furnaces, coating equipment/deposition furnaces, screen printing machines, other furnace equipment, testers and sorters, other related equipment Panel/Module production equipment: Complete production lines, testing equipment, glass cleaning equipment, tabbing/welding equipment, lamination equipment, etc. Thin-film panel production equipment: Amorphous silicon cells, CIS/CIGS cells, CdTe thin-film cells, DSSC dye-sensitized cells production technology and research equipment B. Solar Cells: Solar cell producers, module producers, module installers, agents, dealers and distributors, concentrator cells, etc. C. PV-Related Parts: Batteries, chargers, controllers, converters, recorders, inverters, monitors, mounting systems, tracking systems, solar cables, etc. D. PV Raw Materials: Polysilicon, silicon ingots/silicon lumps, silicon wafers, encapsulation glass, encapsulation film, other raw materials E. PV Application Products: Lighting products, power supply systems, portable chargers, water pumps, solar household products and other solar products F. PV Engineering and Systems: PV system integration, solar air conditioning systems, rural PV power generation systems, solar detection and control systems, solar heating system engineering, PV engineering process control, engineering management and software development systems G. System Construction Equipment and Safety Protection: Electrical construction equipment, construction vehicles, engineering machinery, maintenance tools, aerial work platforms/vehicles, scaffolding, electrical safety tools, personal protective equipment H. Others Solar Energy and Green Building: A. Solar Thermal Utilization: Solar central hot water systems, household solar water heaters, solar heat pump water heaters, solar thermal collection systems, solar heating systems, integrated solar thermal and PV products, solar water heater manufacturing equipment, solar water heater raw materials and accessories B. Solar PV and Solar Thermal Power Generation: Grid-connected PV power generation systems, off-grid PV power generation systems, PV-wind hybrid power generation systems, PV transmission and distribution equipment, PV modules and components and equipment, parabolic trough systems, tower systems, dish systems, heat collection tubes, thermal storage equipment and materials, heat exchange technology and products, high-temperature heat transfer technology and products, system control C. Solar Cooling Systems and Equipment: Solar cooling products and systems, air-source products, solar central air conditioning, ground-source heat pump air conditioning D. Solar Lighting and Building Materials: Solar lawn lights, garden lights, solar street lights and other photovoltaic lighting products, solar PV glass, solar roof modules, integrated building-integrated PV (BIPV) solutions, etc. E. LED Technology and Products: LED lighting, LED application products, display products/digital signage, parts, modules, kits, etc. F. Solar Accessories: Solar complementary automatic control devices and instruments, solar pipes and fittings, solar control systems, solar heat pipes, evacuated tube collectors, flat plate collectors, manifold headers, insulation materials, hot and cold water pumps, mounting structures, PV equipment accessories, batteries, and related production equipment and accessory materials International Energy Storage Technology and Smart Grid A. Energy Storage Technology, Equipment and Materials: Compressed air energy storage, pumped hydro storage, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheel energy storage, thermal/cold storage, hydrogen storage and other energy storage technologies, equipment and materials applicable to plug-in electric vehicles; various types of batteries (nickel–metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, lead-acid batteries, smart batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries), energy storage power supplies, supercapacitors, regenerative fuel cells, flow batteries and other technologies, equipment and materials B. Energy Storage Power Stations and EPC Projects: BMS battery management systems, PCS energy storage inverters, microgrids, EV charging and battery swapping stations and related supporting facilities C. New Energy Generation Grid Connection and Smart Transmission and Distribution: Grid-tie inverters, lightweight DC equipment, operation monitoring devices, grid-connection control systems, flexible transmission equipment, ultra-high voltage transmission equipment, high-temperature superconducting equipment, high-temperature superconducting cables, distribution automation systems and protection devices, intelligent switchgear, transformers, instrument transformers, smart components, digital substations, substation integrated automation, distribution network automation devices, online monitoring of transmission and distribution, fault diagnosis and self-healing devices, power quality monitoring, harmonic control and reactive power compensation, superconducting electrical technology, various new types of wires and cables, composite materials, safety protection D. Grid Dispatching and Automation Control: Smart grid dispatching system, integrated dispatching data platform system, grid security and control, intelligent inspection system, integrated measurement, control, protection and arc suppression line selection system, security and stability control system solutions, electric energy monitoring system and microcomputer-based relay protection, wide-area dynamic monitoring system, online grid stability monitoring system, intelligent reactive power compensation devices for distribution networks, control software, remote control and telemetry devices, large-screen display systems, power system simulation E. Smart Metering and Electricity Consumption Management: Smart meters and chips, remote/centralized meter reading systems, electricity consumption information collection systems, electricity consumption management information systems, load management terminals, monitoring systems, testing devices, metering cabinets and components, measuring instruments, sensors, semiconductors F. Smart Grid Information and Communication: IoT technology, cloud computing technology, multi-network convergence technology, transmission technology and equipment, access equipment, optical fiber cables, industrial Ethernet, data communication and network technology and related products, in-plant communication equipment, power line carrier devices, supporting equipment and instruments, digital microwave communication equipment, testing equipment and instruments, online network monitoring equipment G. Others International New Energy Vehicles and Charging Piles A. New Energy Vehicles (Passenger Vehicles / Commercial Vehicles): Electric buses and trucks, electric cars, electric sightseeing vehicles, electric golf carts, electric cleaning vehicles, hybrid buses and cars, solar EVs, light-duty EVs, hybrid vehicles (micro hybrid, mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid), pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen, natural gas and other new energy clean fuels, hybrid vehicles and various low-emission, environmentally friendly and energy-saving vehicles; B. Powertrain and Drive Systems: Power batteries, battery management systems, fuel cells, hybrid systems, drive motors, electric control systems, engines, testing and repair equipment, relevant testing, monitoring and protection instruments, related technologies; C. Key Parts for New Energy Vehicles: Power capacitors, supercapacitors, flywheels, inverters, electric heat pumps, electric power steering, electric air conditioning, tires, wiring connections, electromagnetic technology, related materials; coatings, gearboxes, filters, carburetors, exhaust systems; axles, steering, braking, suspension systems; auto body accessories; motors and electrical appliances, electronic devices, electrical systems, circuits, wheel hubs, tires, etc.; D. Automotive Design: Complete vehicle design, system control design, etc. E. Charging Facilities: Charging stations, charging piles; smart network project planning and achievement display for charging stations, expansion of gas stations into charging (battery swapping) stations, display of integrated fueling and charging service stations, solar and wind energy complementary new energy vehicle charging station technology and products, charging station power distribution equipment, chargers, power monitoring systems, active power filters, transformers, distribution cabinets, cables, direct charging equipment, management auxiliary equipment, charging and swapping batteries and battery management systems, parking lot charging facilities, intelligent monitoring, charging station power supply solutions F. Others Exhibition Fees: Standard Booth (Premium, 3m x 3m ): Domestic enterprises: RMB 23,800/unit; Foreign-invested enterprises: US$4,900/unit Basic configuration: one information desk, two folding chairs, one wastepaper basket, one 220V/500W power socket, two spotlights, bilingual (Chinese and English) header board, and carpet within the booth. Indoor Bare Space (minimum 36 m²): Domestic enterprises: RMB 2,380/m 2 Foreign-invested enterprises: US$490/m 2 Notes for Exhibitors: 1. After confirming participation, exhibitors should complete the exhibition application form, affix their official seal, and fax or mail it to the organizing committee; 2. Upon receiving booth reservation fees, the organizing committee will allocate booths according to the principle of "first application, first payment, first allocation"; 3. Payment terms for exhibition fees: (1) The above exhibition fees do not include "construction deposit", "construction management fee", "facility rental fee", etc.; (2) Exhibitors who have signed contracts shall remit the deposit to the organizing committee's account within ten working days from the date of signing the contract, and fax the remittance voucher to the committee for verification; (3) The remaining exhibition fees must be remitted to the account designated by the organizing committee before December 31, 2026; 4. The order of advertisements in the conference booklet is based on the sequence of receiving advertising fees, with a deadline for inclusion of March 31, 2027; 5. The organizing committee will send the Exhibitor Manual to exhibitors in April 2027. Welcome to Inquire: Shanghai Fulimi Technology Co., Ltd. SNEC 20th (2027) International Solar PV & Smart Energy & Energy Storage & Battery (Shanghai) Conference & Exhibition Contact: Manager Wei Tel: +86-13817218765 (same as WeChat) E-mail: weiwei@snec.org.cn

I.AI Computing Power Expansion Opens Growth Space for Copper Global computing power infrastructure and data center construction have seen simultaneous explosive growth, with intensive commissioning of intelligent computing and supercomputing projects across regions, generating an entirely new incremental demand curve for copper semis. According to SMM projections, global new installations is expected to achieve a CAGR of 24% from 2025 to 2030, with the fastest pace of new deployment occurring in 2025 and 2026. New installations in 2026 are expected to grow 65% MoM, and by 2027, the growth rate of new installations is projected to pull back to 28.77%, followed by a year-by-year deceleration in 2028-2030. By region, global new installations of computing power are mainly concentrated in two major markets: the US and China. Leveraging its scale-leading cloud operators, highly efficient facility operation systems, and a well-established global AI industry ecosystem, the US continues to lead in deployment scale. In China, leading cloud producers such as Alibaba and Tencent continue to increase capital expenditure on computing power infrastructure, while the national computing power network is formally incorporated into the top-level planning of the "Six Networks" and the "East Data, West Computing" projects are being rolled out and commissioned in batches, leading to a steady rise in the market share of domestic intelligent computing centers. SMM analysis indicates that the CAGR of new copper consumption for global computing power from 2025 to 2030 is 21%, slightly lower than the growth rate of new installations. The core reason is the gradual release of medium and long-term technological effects that reduce copper usage. Looking at individual years, copper consumption growth is 54.94% in 2026, pulling back to 27.58% in 2027, and the growth of new copper consumption is also expected to exhibit a gradual slowdown trend from 2028 to 2030. II. Unit Copper Consumption in Computing Power Centers Shows a Phased Trend of First Increasing then Decreasing SMM's calculation by region shows that the comprehensive copper consumption per unit of global computing power centers will present a characteristic of first increasing then decreasing from 2025 to 2030. In the short term, new computing power is mainly through the construction of entirely new campuses, with supporting power, grounding, and other infrastructure built from scratch, coupled with high-density cabinets driving a rapid rise in the penetration rate of liquid cooling systems. Multiple factors jointly push comprehensive unit consumption upwards in 2025-2026. In the medium and long term, as 800V high-voltage DC power distribution is popularized at scale, the required thickness and cross-section of copper conductors under equivalent power scenarios will decrease significantly.Meanwhile, high-speed NVLink copper cables will face substitution by fiber optic interconnects. Coupled with the iteration of liquid cooling heat dissipation materials and technological breakthroughs in aluminum as a substitute for copper processes, the industry's comprehensive unit consumption will enter a downward trajectory. However, constrained by the pace of industrial technology penetration, SMM's calculations show no significant decline in unit consumption in 2027-2028, as consumption reduction and copper-increase factors offset each other, keeping unit consumption stable. The downward trend will only become significantly prominent after 2029. It is worth noting that comprehensive unit consumption is a weighted average calculated by SMM based on the deployment scale of computing power in the US, China, and the rest of the world. There is clear differentiation in unit consumption among data centers in different regions, with the unit copper consumption ranked as: Rest of the World > China > US, where the scale effect of large clusters effectively lowers unit copper intensity. III. Breakdown of Core Copper Usage in Computing Power Centers Computing centers fall into three categories: general-purpose IDCs, intelligent computing centers, and supercomputing centers. This article uses intelligent computing centers, which currently hold the highest market share and fastest growth rate, as the calculation sample to break down the copper consumption structure: The power supply and distribution system is the largest copper-consuming segment in a computing center, accounting for 66% of total copper consumption according to SMM calculations. It primarily handles medium- and high-voltage power conversion and ensures uninterrupted power supply for equipment rooms. Medium- and low-voltage distribution cabinets, UPS, and busways are the core copper-consuming equipment. In the short term, high-power cabinets continue to boost demand for copper semis in power distribution, while in the medium and long term, after the popularization of lithium battery UPS and high-voltage DC solutions, unit copper consumption in the distribution segment will trend steadily downward. SMM estimates that AI server hardware infrastructure accounts for 18% of copper consumption, undertaking all tasks of computing power, storage, and network interaction. It integrates core components such as GPUs, motherboards, and server power supplies, and the stable operation of the hardware directly determines the computing power output of the cluster. High-end AI server PCBs and internal interconnection copper wires are the main sources of copper consumption in this segment. The liquid cooling system accounts for 11% of copper consumption. The closed-loop liquid cooling cycle meets the heat dissipation demands of high-power AI chips, with cold plates, CDU heat exchange units, and circulating copper pipe & tube serving as the main copper-consuming components. Liquid cooling penetration during 2025-2026 will boost demand for copper pipe & tube and copper plate/sheet and strip, and once copper-aluminum composite heat dissipation materials mature, the copper intensity for heat dissipation will gradually decline. Network communication, grounding protection, and supporting auxiliary systems together occupy the remaining 5% of copper consumption , covering sub-scenarios such as high-speed interconnection cabling and equipment room grounding and lightning protection copper grids. The current optical fiber interconnection industry chain continues to expand production, with optical fiber enterprises seeing simultaneous improvements in orders and profitability, indirectly confirming the overall high prosperity of AI computing power construction. In the long term, optical fiber will also continue to divert demand from high-speed copper cables. IV. Comprehensive Analysis of the Proportions of Different Copper Semis Breaking down the copper consumption structure of computing centers comprehensively by semi-finished copper product category, cables and copper busbars are the core consumables throughout the construction process. SMM analysis shows that cables account for 40% of the total copper consumption in a computing center, acting as the “blood vessels” permeating every link, with core applications in high-voltage access, low-voltage distribution, power transmission, high-speed communication copper cables, building wiring, as well as grounding and lightning protection cables. Copper busbar (24% of total copper consumption), the "backbone" for high-current power distribution in data centers, is mainly used in high- and low-voltage power distribution cabinets, transformer copper busbars, UPS systems, etc.Copper plate/sheet and strip (17%) is mostly used in transformer windings and liquid cooling cold plate substrates, performing dual functions of power transformation and heat dissipation. Copper pipe & tube (11% of total copper consumption) is a dedicated consumable for liquid cooling systems, mostly used in circulation piping, CDU heat exchange units, and precision air conditioning heat exchange pipes. The large-scale expansion of liquid cooling will boost demand for copper pipe & tube in the short term. Copper foil (4%) covers application scenarios including servers, switches, and various PCB circuit boards. Industry demand is concentrated on HVLP ultra-low profile high-end copper foil. Although the copper consumption per GW is relatively small, the incremental elasticity driven by AI computing power expansion is extremely strong. Currently, copper foil enterprises are accelerating the switch of capacity from ordinary electronic copper foil to high-end HVLP capacity, while copper clad laminate (CCL) producers have full order books and processing fees are being raised continuously, indicating that the prosperity of computing hardware demand has been verified across the entire industry chain. In summary, the rapid expansion of computing centers directly drives the growth in demand for related copper semis. At the same time, high-density AI computing clusters significantly raise the requirements for power supply supporting facilities, and the overall electricity consumption scale of the industry surges simultaneously. The demand for power infrastructure construction derived from computing expansion has become a key focus for long-term tracking and research in the future. While computing demand expands, the industry's development also faces external constraints. Currently, the grid connection approval process has a relatively long queuing period, and the market is generally concerned that transmission, distribution, and generation-side capacity bottlenecks may drag down the implementation pace of computing projects. However, according to SMM forecasts, no substantial power supply gap risk is expected for the industry over the next five years. It will still be necessary to closely track the approval progress and commissioning pace of various transmission and distribution supporting projects. SMM will also continue to follow the relevant industry dynamics and copper demand changes. For detailed data, please contact Cynthia Wang of the SMM Copper Research Team at 15762822325.

The Air Conditioner Market in Africa: Steady Growth in a Rigid-Demand Market. Africa is located in the tropics, where the rigid demand for air conditioning cooling is strong, and steady urbanization underpins basic consumption; the market is dominated by cost-effective entry-level products, which are less affected by policy and market fluctuations, and channel inventory is within a reasonable range. Coupled with the mature China-Africa trade system, overall demand maintains stable operation.