On May 18, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "Implementation Measures for Capacity Replacement in the Steel Industry" (hereinafter referred to as the "Replacement Measures"). SMM conducted a comparative review and analysis of the relevant content...

Overall, supply in China’s petroleum coke market continued to tighten, while downstream demand remained generally stable with support, and supply and demand fundamentals provided two-way support to the market. Coupled with recent fluctuations in crude oil prices and intensified cost-side bargaining, SMM expected that in the short term, the petroleum coke market would mainly remain in consolidation, with prices of different categories continuing to diverge.

On September 26, 2025, the General Office of the Hunan Provincial People's Government issued the "Hunan Province Action Plan for Accelerating the Improvement of the New Energy Vehicle Penetration Rate (2025–2026)," focusing on the promotion and application of NEVs and industrial upgrading. It explicitly proposed accelerating the construction of energy replenishment facilities such as hydrogen refueling stations. The core contents are as follows: I. Core Action Targets The core objective is to narrow the gap with the national NEV penetration rate, advancing in phases: By the end of 2025, the gap between the provincial NEV penetration rate and the national average is expected to narrow to within 6%. By the end of 2026, the aim is to reach the national average NEV penetration rate. II. Four Key Action Tasks (1) Consumer Environment Optimization Action Innovating Sales Models : Automakers are encouraged to develop products suited to local scenarios, explore diversified sales models such as leasing instead of purchasing and battery-swapping, and expand ecological cooperation. Improving the Service Network : Promote the establishment of delivery centers and authorized after-sales service sites at the county level and in remote areas, carry out after-sales services in rural areas, and address shortcomings in grassroots services. Extending the Consumption Chain : Standardize the used car market, strengthen battery recycling and leasing management, and enhance the residual value of NEVs. Strengthening Financial Support : Increase credit supply, introduce low-down-payment, long-term financial solutions tailored to younger groups, and optimize NEV insurance services. (2) Commercial Vehicle Replacement Action Public Sector Replacement : Focus on promoting the application of NEVs in public sectors such as buses, taxis, sanitation, and freight delivery, and support key cities for air pollution prevention and control in taking the lead in replacing vehicles in urban construction logistics. Truck Transformation Incentives : Using the phase-out of trucks meeting National IV and lower emission standards as a breakthrough, implement provincial fiscal support and introduce preferential expressway toll policies for new energy trucks. (3) Energy Replenishment Facility Enhancement Action (Including Key Construction of Hydrogen Refueling Stations) Urban Residential Charging Convenience : Implement "unified construction and service" for charging piles in residential areas, provide one-stop services for car purchase, electricity connection, and pile installation, and simplify the application process. Public and Dedicated Facility Support : Improve supporting policies for land use, power grid, and electricity prices for dedicated energy replenishment facilities such as those for buses and trucks, and encourage private capital participation in construction. Energy Replenishment Network Construction at Transportation Hubs : Accelerate the planning and construction of a batch of large power charging (battery swap) stations and hydrogen refueling stations in key areas such as expressway service areas, logistics parks, ports, along major logistics corridors, and national and provincial highways. ; Promote the renovation and expansion of eligible gas (CNG/LNG) stations into comprehensive energy supply stations offering "fuel (gas) + charging (battery swap)" services. Full Coverage of Rural Energy Replenishment : Incorporate charging piles into the "Village Access Project" to achieve full coverage of charging stations in every township and charging piles in every village, promoting the integrated development of energy replenishment facilities with PV systems, parking lots, and others. (IV) Enhanced Support Policy Actions Leveraging Fiscal Funds : Coordinate special funds from the central and provincial levels to implement trade-in and car-to-countryside policies, carry out NEV sales promotions, explore charging consumption subsidies, and encourage municipalities and prefectures to issue car purchase subsidies. Traffic Priority and Parking Incentives : Encourage municipalities and prefectures to grant NEVs traffic priority on core urban routes, along with benefits such as extended operating hours and parking fee reductions in public areas. III. Safeguard Measures Establish a dual-led working mechanism by the Provincial Development and Reform Commission (Provincial Energy Bureau) and the Provincial Department of Commerce, coordinating multiple provincial departments for collaborative advancement; require local governments to refine measures and ensure implementation, while intensifying policy publicity to eliminate misconceptions and foster a social environment supportive of NEV development. This plan is expected to include hydrogen refueling stations as key components of energy replenishment facilities in transportation hubs, advancing them in coordination with charging (battery swap) stations. This will effectively address the energy replenishment challenges for NEVs (particularly hydrogen-powered vehicles), providing solid support for increasing the NEV penetration rate and transforming the energy structure in Hunan.

On Thursday (May 22) local time, the US Senate blocked California's plan to completely ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 with a vote of 51 in favor and 44 against, and sent the bill to Trump for signature. Specifically, the vote overturned an exemption approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Biden administration, which allowed California to set stricter automobile exhaust emission standards than federal regulations to promote the sale of EVs and other zero-emission vehicles. The US introduced the Clean Air Act in 1970, initially to help California address severe smog issues. However, it gave California a leading role in formulating environmental protection policies, and the standards set by the state were widely adopted by multiple states willing to follow suit, such as New York and Washington. However, California's "ban on internal combustion engines" regulation has sparked strong opposition from automakers, fuel producers, and even Trump himself. Opponents include Toyota, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), and the US Chamber of Commerce, who argue that these standards are "simply unattainable." Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia stated, "Over the past two decades, California has used its exemption to impose extreme climate policies on the entire nation, which is not the original intent of the Clean Air Act." Capito pointed out, "The decision to limit consumer choices, raise car prices, and cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs was made by California and approved by a federal government that has already been rejected by US voters." Earlier this month, the bill had already passed the House of Representatives. Since his campaign last year, Trump has repeatedly criticized the EV industry, claiming that EVs are "completely useless," benefit other countries, and harm American workers. However, some analysts believe that the EPA exemption is not subject to repeal through the Congressional Review Act (CRA) procedure currently used by Republicans. Democrats argue that Republicans have adopted controversial procedural tactics that could set a dangerous precedent. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "This is the 'nuclear option.' It allows Republicans to hijack Senate rules and gradually erode the institution they claim to value." Manish Bapna, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in the US, said, "This vote is an unprecedented and extremely reckless attack on states' legal efforts to address air pollution." Bapna added, "Under the influence of multi-million-dollar lobbying efforts by 'Big Oil,' Republicans have easily abandoned their long-held stance of allowing states to independently formulate policies based on the values and interests of their residents."

The CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo, hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), will be grandly held at the Suzhou International Expo Center from April 16 to 18, 2025. Concurrent with the exhibition, there will be 1 main forum and 11 sub-forums, attended by government leaders, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, domestic and overseas scientists, foreign guests from dozens of countries, and leading entrepreneurs from various industries. Witness the gathering of industry leaders, delve into core technologies, listen to experts' insights, interpret market trends, and focus on key issues in Suzhou. This expo covers 6 major exhibition areas, with over 1,300 domestic and overseas exhibitors showcasing the entire industry chain of batteries, including power batteries, consumer batteries, ESS, raw materials, equipment, battery recycling, and new energy vehicles, power tools, electric drives, and the low-altitude economy in the power exhibition area, providing a one-stop exhibition experience. Click to fill out the registration form and register immediately to discuss the future development of the new energy industry with industry elites. We look forward to your arrival and joining SMM in this grand feast of the new energy industry. At this expo, Trinasolar will make a grand appearance, collaborating with peers in the new energy industry to share development opportunities and jointly outline a bright future for new energy. How can the non-ferrous metals industry break through? The golden window has arrived! The "High-Quality Development Implementation Plan for the Copper Industry (2025-2027)" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and ten other departments highlights the goal of promoting green and intelligent development of the industry. The document states that by the end of 2025, all copper smelting capacities in key areas for air pollution prevention and control will complete environmental performance grade A upgrades. Internationally, ongoing conflicts and tensions in the geopolitical arena show no significant easing. Under the pressure of "internal competition and external blockades," how can the non-ferrous metals industry break through? At the recently held CCIE 2025 SMM (20th) Copper Conference and Copper Industry Expo, Ouyang Huasheng, pre-sales technical manager for distribution components at Trinasolar China, delved into the deep integration of power market reform and low-carbon development in the copper industry, bringing new ideas and opportunities for the transformation and development of the copper industry under the new policy environment. Power Market Reform: A Key Driver for Low-Carbon Transformation in the Copper Industry In recent years, with the advancement of the "dual carbon" goals, power market reform has continued to deepen, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the energy-intensive copper industry. Ouyang Huasheng pointed out that power market reform has broken the traditional power supply model, building a more flexible, efficient, and clean power market system. In this system, copper enterprises can obtain more diversified energy supplies through market mechanisms, especially renewable energy, providing strong support for reducing carbon emissions and achieving green transformation in the copper industry. Under the traditional power supply model, energy costs accounted for a high proportion of copper enterprises' expenses, with a single energy structure and high dependence on fossil fuels like coal, resulting in significant carbon emission pressures. After power market reform, the market share of renewable energy generation has continued to expand, and the price advantages of clean energy such as wind and solar power have gradually emerged. Copper enterprises can directly purchase low-cost renewable energy through participation in power market transactions, not only reducing energy costs but also significantly cutting carbon emissions and enhancing their green competitiveness. Trinasolar Helps the Copper Industry Tackle Power Market Challenges Facing the complex situation brought by power market reform, copper enterprises encounter numerous challenges in energy management and technological innovation. Ouyang Huasheng stated that as a global leader in comprehensive PV ESS smart energy solutions, Trinasolar, with its profound technical expertise and rich practical experience in the PV field, can provide comprehensive support to the copper industry. In terms of technological innovation, leveraging over two decades of technical accumulation, Trinasolar has launched the Vertex N series modules based on the i-TOPCon and 210 advanced technology platforms. Thanks to their excellent low-light performance, Trinasolar's Vertex N TOPCon modules show significant advantages in power generation performance under daily low-light conditions in distributed PV, with single-watt power generation capability 5%-8.4% higher than BC. The feature of "more power generation in the morning and evening, less loss on cloudy days" perfectly meets the needs of distributed power stations under the current power market reform, further enhancing power generation revenue and gaining a first-mover advantage. Moving Forward Together, Opening a New Chapter in Low-Carbon Development for the Copper Industry Against the backdrop of increasing global low-carbon trade barriers, installing PV systems has shifted from a "cost item" to a "strategic investment" for copper enterprises, especially in the export sector, directly addressing EU carbon tariffs, carbon footprint certification, and other green barriers. By prioritizing the use of rooftops and idle factory land to build distributed power stations, copper enterprises can seize the strategic window of global copper trade restructuring in the next three years. Trinasolar can tailor distributed PV solutions for copper enterprises. By building distributed PV power stations on idle factory and industrial park sites, copper enterprises can achieve self-generation and self-consumption, increasing energy self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on the power grid. Meanwhile, Trinasolar's ESS solutions can effectively address the intermittency of renewable energy generation, ensuring stable energy supply and enhancing the energy management capabilities of enterprises. As power market reform continues to deepen and the "dual carbon" goals advance, the copper industry will embrace broader development prospects, and Trinasolar will continue to leverage its strengths to contribute more to the green transformation of the copper industry. [CLNB 2025—Hot Registration Ongoing] CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo April 16 to 18, 2025 Suzhou International Expo Center

Xi'an: Vigorously Building Charging and Battery Swapping Infrastructure! On March 27, the Xi'an Municipal Government of Shaanxi Province issued the "Xi'an City Action Plan for Promoting the Achievement of the '14th Five-Year' Air Quality Goals and Air Pollution Control in 2025." The plan proposed to build Xi'an into a demonstration benchmark city for NEV application. It emphasized vigorously constructing charging and battery swapping infrastructure, with a focus on promoting the adoption of new energy in public sector vehicles.

In the context of global economic recovery, the silver industry chain has welcomed new development opportunities. As one of the important precious metals, silver not only plays a role in value preservation and investment in the financial market but also, due to its excellent conductivity, thermal conductivity, and antibacterial properties, is widely used in various fields such as the electronics industry, healthcare, solar cells, and automobile manufacturing. To further promote the sustainable development of the silver industry and strengthen communication and cooperation among industries, it is planned to hold the 2025SMM (6th) Silver Industry Chain Innovation Conference in May 2025. In recent years, with the growth in global demand for renewable energy and high-tech products, the industrial application demand for silver has significantly increased. At the same time, the uncertainties in the global economy and changes in monetary policy have also prompted more investors to pay attention to the safe-haven attributes of silver. As an important commodity market globally, the attention to the silver industry chain in Asia, North America, and Europe has gradually increased, and the changes in local policies, technological innovation, and market demand have had a profound impact on the entire industry chain. At this conference, Hunan Zhengming Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. will attend in full regalia, joining peers from upstream and downstream of the silver industry, focusing on the mining, processing, trading, investment, and application of silver, and comprehensively discussing the challenges faced by the industry and future development opportunities. Click the registration form to sign up immediately, join us in Ningbo to co-create a silvery future, gain insights into market trends, and collaborate on innovative chains. Hunan Zhengming Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. (stock code: 872655, listed on the NEEQ), is a high-tech enterprise specializing in exhaust gas treatment and wastewater treatment, dedicated to providing first-class comprehensive services including general contracting, design, equipment manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and operation management for flue gas dust removal, desulfurization, denitrification, VOCs organic exhaust gas treatment, and wastewater treatment for various kilns in industries such as non-ferrous smelting, steel, thermal power, building materials, chemicals, papermaking, textile printing and dyeing, food, and pharmaceuticals. The company holds Grade B design qualifications for air pollution control and water pollution control, and Grade A construction qualifications for environmental protection projects; it was rated as a high-tech enterprise in 2016; it has passed ISO quality management system certification, environmental management system certification, and occupational health and safety management system certification; the company has been rated as an AAA credit enterprise; and in 2017, it was named one of China's top 30 atmospheric governance environmental protection enterprises. The company owns over forty patent technologies, including seven invention patents. Based on its proprietary core technologies and fully introducing and absorbing advanced domestic and overseas technologies, the company now has more than one hundred successful cases in desulfurization, denitrification, dust removal, flue gas whitening elimination, and wastewater treatment projects, and has developed into a key enterprise in China's environmental protection field. The company boasts strong technical capabilities, having developed various technologies for desulfurization, denitrification, dust removal, flue gas whitening elimination, wastewater treatment, and VOCs organic exhaust gas treatment. The multiple ultra-low emission technologies innovatively developed by the company have become mainstream in the market, such as single-tower PH dual-zone dual-circulation desulfurization technology, semi-dry desulfurization technology, dry desulfurization technology, F=ma centrifugal tube bundle high-efficiency dust and mist removal technology, flue gas whitening GGH and MGGH, and flue gas condensation technology, multi-directional injection SNCR + SCR high-efficiency denitrification technology, high-efficiency wet electrostatic precipitator technology, and high-concentration wastewater treatment technology, which have been widely applied. These technologies are characterized by high efficiency, stable operation, relatively small investment, and low operating costs, reaching a leading level domestically. Zhengming Environmental Protection always upholds the corporate spirit of "upright virtue, sincerity, technological innovation, and pursuit of excellence," rectifying moral conduct, controlling pollution, protecting the environment, benefiting people's livelihood, being honest and trustworthy, adhering to the service principle of putting users first, creating high-quality projects with top-notch technology, and ensuring user satisfaction with wholehearted service. The company consistently adheres to the mission of "controlling pollution, protecting the environment, sustainable development, and benefiting humanity," restoring a clean land and a blue sky, and together with many partners, creating a better tomorrow. Contact Information Address: No. 128 Jinhai Road, Yuhua District, Changsha City, Hunan Province Website: www.hnzmhb.cn Email: hnzmhj@163.com Phone: 0731-89729827 13723892298 Scan the QR code to register immediately 2025SMM (6th) Silver Industry Chain Innovation Conference

The environmental impact assessment document approval information for the high-purity hydrogen production line expansion project of Huizhou Huadatong Gas Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is announced as follows: I. Basic Project Information Project Name : High-Purity Hydrogen Production Line Expansion Project of Huizhou Huadatong Gas Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Construction Location : No. 1, Aotou Youcheng West Road, Daya Bay Economic and Technological Development Zone, Huizhou, Guangdong Construction Unit : Huizhou Huadatong Gas Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Environmental Assessment Unit : Guangdong Debao Environmental Technology Research Co., Ltd. Project Nature : Expansion Project Investment: 162.05 million yuan II. Project Overview and Announcement Period Project Overview: The project primarily utilizes hydrogen from the POX unit of CNOOC Huizhou Petrochemical Co., Ltd. to produce high-purity hydrogen. The construction includes the addition of new high-purity hydrogen production equipment, supporting power distribution rooms, PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) purification areas, and nitrogen generation stations. The project adds a high-purity hydrogen production capacity of 18,800 Nm³/h, increasing the total plant capacity from 5,000 Nm³/h to 23,800 Nm³/h. Additionally, a new raw material gas pipeline with a length of 2.5 km, a diameter of DN300, and a delivery pressure of 2.0 MPa is constructed along the existing pipe rack. Announcement Period : March 19, 2025 to March 25, 2025 V. Environmental Protection Measures Water Pollution Prevention : Optimize the water supply and drainage systems according to the principles of "separating clean and dirty water, separating rainwater and sewage, and recycling water," and improve the water recycling rate. Production wastewater is pre-treated to meet relevant standards and then discharged after being treated by the Daya Bay Petrochemical Zone Wastewater Treatment Plant. Air Pollution Prevention : Implement effective collection and treatment measures, strengthen process management, and reduce unorganized emissions of various waste gases. The unorganized non-methane total hydrocarbons within the plant boundary meet the relevant standard limits. Noise Pollution Prevention : Optimize the plant layout, select low-noise equipment, and take effective sound insulation and noise reduction measures to ensure that the plant boundary noise complies with the Class 3 standard of the "Emission Standard for Industrial Enterprises Noise at Boundary" (GB12348-2008). Solid Waste Treatment: Strictly comply with national and local regulations on solid waste management, establish and improve a full-process pollution prevention responsibility system for solid waste, maintain management records, and entrust hazardous waste to qualified units for treatment. Environmental Risk Prevention : Revise the emergency response plan for sudden environmental events, conduct environmental safety hazard investigations and management according to relevant regulations, and coordinate with regional emergency response plans.

In March 2025, secondary lead enterprises resumed production at a rapid pace, with the weekly operating rate reaching 62.91%, a 1.5-year high. Lead prices rose as the US Dollar weakened and domestic policies supported the market. However, air pollution warnings in northern China led to smelter shutdowns, further driving up prices. Despite initial ample inventories, smelters now face declining raw material stocks due to increased production and off-season scrap battery supply. This has created a standoff between smelters and scrap dealers, with both sides awaiting market clarity.

In the upcoming year of 2025, we anticipate that the global economy will face a series of complex and volatile challenges. With the conclusion of the US presidential election, the uncertainty surrounding global trade policies is expected to further increase, presenting new issues for international trade cooperation. In the realm of geopolitics, ongoing conflicts and tensions show no significant signs of easing, posing threats not only to global security but also significantly impacting resource allocation and industrial layouts. Against this macro backdrop, industrial relocation and supply chain restructuring have become critical topics that we must closely monitor. At the industrial level, the rising trend of protectionism in mineral resources is directly affecting the stability of global copper concentrate TCs. With the rapid expansion of global smelting capacity, the profit margins of copper smelters are being further compressed, and the challenges faced by the industry are becoming increasingly severe. In the field of secondary copper raw materials, the advancement of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and the "dual carbon" goals have significantly increased market attention on secondary copper. However, the "reverse invoicing" policy implemented in 2024 and the "Fair Competition Regulations" have had a profound impact on the secondary copper industry. Looking ahead to 2025, the changes in the landscape of the secondary copper industry will have a critical impact on the entire copper industry chain. Additionally, with the cancellation of tax subsidies and other incentive measures, the space for copper cathode trade is expected to further narrow. We anticipate that the procurement ratio of copper processing materials between traders and smelters will show a more pronounced differentiation. In this context, the "CCIE 2025 SMM (20th) Copper Industry Conference and Copper Industry Expo," meticulously prepared by SMM, will be grandly held in Nanchang, Jiangxi, from April 22-25, 2025. Hunan Zhengming Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. will make a splendid appearance at this conference. We will keep pace with the times, aim for our goals, strive diligently, and move forward with courage! Click the registration form to sign up immediately, and we look forward to meeting you at the conference. Booth number: D23. "Integrity and Virtue, Sincerity and Trust" - Hunan Zhengming Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 872655, listed on the New Third Board) is a high-tech enterprise specializing in waste gas and wastewater treatment. We are committed to providing first-class comprehensive services for various kiln flue gas dust removal, desulfurization, denitrification, VOCs organic waste gas treatment, and wastewater treatment in industries such as non-ferrous smelting, steel, thermal power, building materials, chemicals, and papermaking, including general contracting, design, equipment manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and operation management. The company possesses Class B design qualifications for air pollution prevention and water pollution prevention, as well as a Class I professional contracting qualification for environmental protection. It was recognized as a high-tech enterprise in 2016 and has passed ISO quality management system certification, environmental management system certification, and occupational health and safety management system certification. The company has been rated as an AAA credit enterprise and was ranked among the top 30 air pollution control environmental protection enterprises in China in 2017. The company holds over 40 patented technologies, including seven invention patents. Based on its core proprietary technologies and by fully introducing and absorbing advanced domestic and overseas technologies, the company has successfully completed over 100 projects in desulfurization, denitrification, dust removal, flue gas whitening, and wastewater treatment, and has developed into a high-tech key enterprise in the environmental protection field in China. The company boasts strong technical capabilities and has developed various technologies for desulfurization, denitrification, dust removal, flue gas whitening, wastewater treatment, and VOCs organic waste gas treatment. The company's innovative ultra-low emission technologies have become mainstream in the market, such as the single-tower PH dual-zone dual-circulation desulfurization technology (particularly suitable for ultra-high concentration sulfur dioxide desulfurization projects), the F=ma centrifugal tube bundle high-efficiency dust removal and mist elimination technology, high-efficiency wet electrostatic precipitator technology, multi-directional injection SNCR+SCR high-efficiency denitrification technology, and high-concentration wastewater treatment technology. These technologies have been widely applied and are characterized by high efficiency, stable operation, relatively small investment, and low operating costs, reaching the leading level in China. Zhengming Environmental Protection always promotes the corporate essence of "Integrity and Virtue, Sincerity and Trust, Technological Innovation, and Pursuit of Excellence." We uphold integrity, manage pollution, protect the environment, benefit the people, and adhere to the principle of customer-first service. With first-class technology, we create high-quality projects and provide wholehearted service to ensure customer satisfaction. The company consistently adheres to the purpose of "Managing Pollution, Protecting the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Benefiting Humanity," striving to return a piece of pure land to the earth and a clear sky to the heavens, and working with numerous partners to create a better tomorrow. Hunan Zhengming Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 872655) Address: No. 128, Jinhai Road, Yuhua District, Changsha City, Hunan Province Website: www.hnzmhb.cn Email: hnzmhj@163.com Phone: 0731-89729827 13723892298 SMM Conference Contact: Liu Guangtong 15588538837 liuguangtong@smm.cn