[SMM Aluminum Flash News] Recently, the vessel "Furui," loaded with prebaked anode cargo, successfully departed from the bulk cargo terminal of the Binzhou Port Area of Bohai Bay Port, Shandong Port, marking the successful addition of a new high-value-added cargo category to Binzhou Port's bulk and breakbulk business. The launch of this new cargo category was an important achievement in the deepening strategic cooperation between Binzhou Port and Sunstone Global Supply Chain, and also a key step for the port to break through its traditional cargo source structure and optimize its business layout, which is of great significance for enhancing the port's comprehensive service capabilities and strengthening its competitiveness in the regional market.

SMM News on June 12: Raw Material Side: In the petroleum coke market, the shipment performance of refineries remained generally average during the week, with petroleum coke prices showing an overall weak and stable trend. Specifically, this week, the prices of petroleum coke under CNOOC were mainly on a downward trend, with declines ranging from 30 to 100 yuan/mt. The current price range is 3,170-3,200 yuan/mt. Binzhou Petrochemical is still under maintenance and has not provided a quote, while the port quote for Huizhou coke has dropped by 50 yuan/mt. In the northeast region under PetroChina, refinery shipments were stable during the week, and petroleum coke prices transitioned smoothly, with the current price range at 3,350-3,700 yuan/mt. It was also learned that Dagang Petrochemical's petroleum coke price through bidding declined slightly by 50 yuan/mt during the week. For Sinopec, the trading of petroleum coke at its refineries was generally average, and prices at some refineries increased slightly during the week, with increases concentrated within 50 yuan/mt. Among local refineries, shipments were relatively stable, and petroleum coke prices fluctuated, with daily adjustments mostly within 100 yuan. Currently, downstream enterprises are still mainly restocking based on immediate needs, with no significant growth in overall demand. It is expected that petroleum coke prices will maintain a generally stable with slight fall trend in the short term. According to SMM data, the average price of petroleum coke at local refineries is approximately 2,230 yuan/mt, down about 1.13% MoM. In the coal tar pitch market, prices declined this week. As of Thursday, the average price of coal tar pitch was 3,748 yuan/mt, down 6.21% MoM. Overall, the cost side of prebaked anodes continues to loosen. From the supply perspective, prebaked anode enterprises continue to adopt a "produce based on sales" strategy. This week, the industry's operating rate remained stable, with no significant fluctuations in production schedules. Market supply maintained a dynamic balance, with no significant increases or decreases. In terms of demand, with the southward shift of aluminum capacity in Shandong and regional adjustments in electrolytic aluminum capacity, overall capacity is operating smoothly. Brief Commentary: This week, the raw material market for prebaked anodes performed weakly, with cost support continuing to weaken. According to SMM data, as of June 12, the cost of prebaked anodes in China was approximately 4,631 yuan/mt, down 0.74% MoM. The decline in raw material prices has significantly improved corporate profitability, with the industry's real-time profit expanding to over 300 yuan/mt. Currently, the industry's operating rate remains high, and downstream demand is stable. In the short term, prebaked anode prices will remain stable. However, due to the short-term difficulty in changing the weak trend in the raw material market, it is expected that prebaked anode prices will lack upward momentum next month. Continuous attention should be paid to changes in supply and demand and price trends in the industry chain. 》Click to view SMM's aluminum industry chain database

SMM, June 5: Raw material side: In the petroleum coke market, the performance of refinery shipments was generally average after the holiday, with prices stabilizing or declining. Specifically, the prices of petroleum coke under CNOOC mainly declined this week, with drops concentrated at 100 yuan/mt, and the current price range is 3,200-3,300 yuan/mt. Binzhou Petrochemical is still under maintenance and has not provided a quote. The shipments of refineries under PetroChina in the north-east China region were stable during the week, with petroleum coke prices mainly declining, though a few refineries saw slight price increases. The current price range is 3,350-3,700 yuan/mt. It was also learned that petroleum coke prices in north-west China were stabilizing or declining, with adjustments within 300 yuan/mt. For Sinopec, the trading of petroleum coke at its refineries was generally average, with prices at some refineries continuing to fall during the week. Among local refineries, shipment performance varied, with downstream buyers purchasing as needed, leading to generally average market trading. Prices at some refineries stopped falling and saw slight increases, but overall, petroleum coke market prices remained relatively weak. According to SMM data, the average price of petroleum coke at local refineries was approximately 2,255 yuan/mt, down about 0.53% MoM. In the coal tar pitch market, prices declined this week. As of Thursday, the average price of coal tar pitch was 3,997 yuan/mt, down 1.96% MoM. Overall, the cost side of prebaked anodes continued to loosen. From the supply perspective, prebaked anode producers continued the strategy of "produce based on sales." This week, the industry's operating rate remained stable, with no significant fluctuations in production schedules. Market supply maintained a dynamic balance, with no notable increases or decreases. On the demand side, with the southward shift of aluminum capacity in the Shandong region and regional adjustments in aluminum capacity, overall capacity operated steadily. Brief comment: The raw material markets for prebaked anodes performed poorly this week. According to SMM data, as of June 5, the cost of prebaked anodes in China was approximately 4,665 yuan/mt, down 1.16% MoM, with the support from the raw material side continuing to loosen. The decline in costs effectively improved the profitability of enterprises, with most producers now profitable, though profit margins are limited, generally remaining at a slim level within 100-200 yuan/mt. From the perspective of market prices, prebaked anode prices in June generally showed a stable to slightly declining trend: The tender price of a large aluminum plant in Shandong remained stable MoM in June; a large domestic prebaked anode sales company lowered its sales prices, with a MoM decline of 142 yuan/mt. Currently, the industry's operating rate is high, and demand is performing well, with prebaked anode prices expected to remain stable in the short term. However, given the weak trend in the raw material market, which is unlikely to improve in the short term, prebaked anode prices may still show a weakening trend in Q3. In the future, it will be necessary to continuously monitor the changes in supply and demand and price trends in the prebaked anode and its raw material markets. 》Click to view the SMM Aluminum Industry Chain Database

Overall, some refineries completed maintenance and resumed production this week, leading to an increase in supply, particularly for medium- and high-sulphur petroleum coke. Coupled with the wait-and-see attitude of downstream enterprises in the petroleum coke market at month-end, market trading activity has weakened, and petroleum coke prices have fallen continuously. Despite the approaching holiday, downstream enterprises have not shown significant stockpiling behavior, still focusing on purchasing as needed. In general, the petroleum coke market currently lacks significant supportive factors on both the supply and demand sides, and prices are expected to remain weak in the short term.

SMM, May 29: Raw Material Side: In the petroleum coke market, refinery shipments showed mediocre performance, and downstream enterprises were cautious in their purchasing sentiment, leading to a continuous decline in refinery petroleum coke prices. Specifically, this week, CNOOC's petroleum coke prices mainly declined, with drops ranging from 100-150 yuan/mt, and the current price range is 3,300-3,400 yuan/mt. Binzhou Petrochemical is still under maintenance and has not provided a quote. PetroChina's refineries in the northeast region had relatively ordinary shipments during the week, with sufficient supply, and petroleum coke prices remained stable, with the current price range at 3,350-3,650 yuan/mt. It was also learned that Dagang Petrochemical reduced its prices by 200 yuan/mt during the week. Sinopec's refineries had ordinary trading in petroleum coke, with prices dropping by 60-220 yuan/mt during the week. For local refineries, downstream enterprises had a strong wait-and-see sentiment during the week, and refinery shipments were poor, leading to a continuous decline in petroleum coke prices. According to SMM data, the average price of petroleum coke at local refineries is approximately 2,267 yuan/mt, with a week-on-week (WoW) decline of about 6%. In the coal tar pitch market, prices continued to rise this week. As of Thursday, the average price of coal tar pitch was 4,077 yuan/mt, up 4.58% WoW. Overall, the cost side of prebaked anodes continued to loosen. From the supply perspective, prebaked anode enterprises continued the strategy of "produce based on sales." This week, the industry's operating rate remained stable, with no significant fluctuations in production schedules. Market supply maintained a dynamic balance, with no significant increases or decreases. On the demand side, with the southward shift of aluminum capacity in Shandong and regional adjustments in aluminum capacity, overall capacity operated smoothly. Brief Commentary: The raw material market for prebaked anodes showed differentiation during the week. Petroleum coke prices continued to weaken, while coal tar pitch prices extended their gains. According to SMM data, as of May 29, the cost of prebaked anodes in China was approximately 4,742 yuan/mt, down 3.23% WoW, with the support from the raw material side continuing to loosen. Some refineries resumed production after maintenance ended during the week, increasing the supply of medium- and high-sulphur petroleum coke. Coupled with the wait-and-see attitude of downstream enterprises in the petroleum coke market at month-end, market trading activity declined, and petroleum coke prices continued to fall. Although the holiday was approaching, downstream enterprises did not show significant stockpiling activities, maintaining purchasing as needed. Overall, there was no obvious positive support on both the supply and demand sides of the petroleum coke market, and it is expected that petroleum coke prices will continue to weaken in the short term. Affected by the continued weakness in the raw material market, prebaked anode prices are expected to decline in June, with a drop of 150 yuan/mt. In the future, it is necessary to continue to monitor the supply and demand changes and price trends in the prebaked anode and its raw material markets. 》Click to view SMM's aluminum industry chain database

From April 28, 2025, to May 4, 2025, SMM recorded a total of 23 domestic enterprise-won PV module projects that week. The winning bid prices for PV modules were concentrated in the range of 0.66-0.85 yuan/W, with a weekly weighted average price of 0.75 yuan/W, representing an increase of 0.06 yuan/W compared to the previous week. The total procurement capacity for the winning bids was 43.33 MW, a decrease of 927.59 MW compared to the previous week.

The CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo, hosted by SMM, will be grandly held at the Suzhou International Expo Center from April 16 to 18, 2025. During the exhibition, there will be 1 main forum and 10 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. Join us in Suzhou to witness the gathering of industry leaders, discuss core technologies, listen to expert insights, interpret market trends, and focus on key issues. This year's 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, energy storage, raw materials, materials, equipment, battery recycling, as well as new energy vehicles, power tools, electric drives, and the low-altitude economy in the power exhibition area, providing you with 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 opening this grand feast of the new energy industry. At this year's New Energy Industry Expo, Wudi Jinhaibay Lithium Technology Co., Ltd. will make a grand appearance, discussing industry cooperation, sharing development opportunities, and jointly painting a bright future for the new energy industry with peers. Extending the Circular Economy Chain, Building the Capital of Lithium Battery Materials. Wudi Jinhaibay Lithium Technology Co., Ltd., located in the Binzhou Lubei Chemical Industry Park, one of the first batch of chemical industry parks in Shandong Province, is a subsidiary of the state-owned Shandong Lubei Enterprise Group. Established in September 2016, the company covers an area of 115 acres, with fixed assets of 300 million yuan and 260 employees, including a R&D team of over 30 senior engineers and postgraduates. The company's main business is the R&D, production, and sales of battery-grade lithium carbonate. With strong technical capabilities, the company holds multiple national invention patents and utility model patents, including the continuous lithium precipitation process technology for battery-grade lithium carbonate. Supported by the powerful technical backing of the Lubei Lithium Battery Materials Research Institute, the company adopted the mature domestic sulfuric acid production process and resin tower purification technology, investing 300 million yuan to build a 20,000 mt/year lithium carbonate new materials project in March 2018. The first phase of the project was completed and put into production in August 2019. Currently, the company produces 10,000 mt of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. The company's battery-grade lithium carbonate products, low in sodium and calcium and without EDTA additives, are widely used in lithium-ion battery cathode materials, electrolyte materials, and other industries, with a sales network covering the entire country. The by-product lithium slag is fully utilized by Lubei Group's listed company for the production of sulfuric acid and cement, achieving comprehensive resource utilization and clean production, and becoming an important part of the Lubei circular economy system's new energy chain. In 2022, the company achieved sales revenue of 720 million yuan and profits and taxes of over 90 million yuan. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the company will adhere to the concept of green development, focus on creating new momentum with new materials, form upstream and downstream connections with Lubei Group's existing industries, further extend the Lubei circular economy industry chain, build a high-end new materials industry base in Lubei, and create the capital of lithium battery materials, making positive contributions to regional economic development. Battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3): Basic information: Battery-grade lithium carbonate is usually a white powdery crystal with a molecular weight of 73.89, a density of 2.11 g/cm³, and a melting point of 732°C, with high purity and good chemical stability. Purity standards: Battery-grade lithium carbonate requires a high lithium carbonate content, generally not less than 99.5%, with strict limits on the content of various impurities. For example, the content of metal impurities such as sodium (Na), potassium (K), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) needs to be controlled at very low levels to ensure its performance and safety in battery applications. Application fields: Lithium-ion battery cathode material production. LCO battery: Lithium cobalt oxide is the earliest commercialized lithium-ion battery cathode material, and battery-grade lithium carbonate is an important raw material for synthesizing lithium cobalt oxide. LCO batteries have high energy density and good charge-discharge performance, widely used in 3C electronic products such as mobile phones and laptops. LFP battery: Rapidly developed in recent years, with advantages such as high safety, long cycle life, and relatively low cost, widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage, and other fields. Battery-grade lithium carbonate is one of the key raw materials for preparing lithium iron phosphate. Ternary material battery: Ternary materials generally refer to lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, combining the advantages of lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, and lithium manganese oxide, with high energy density and good comprehensive performance, also an important application direction in electric vehicles and other fields, and its production is inseparable from battery-grade lithium carbonate. Lithium-ion battery electrolyte additive: As an electrolyte additive, battery-grade lithium carbonate can improve the ionic conductivity of the battery, enhance the charge-discharge performance, and to some extent improve the safety and service life of the battery. Other application fields: Also has certain applications in industries such as glass, ceramics, and medicine. For example, in glass manufacturing, lithium carbonate can be used as a flux to lower the melting temperature of glass and improve its quality; in the medical field, lithium carbonate can be used to treat mental illnesses. Industrial-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3): Basic information: Industrial-grade lithium carbonate is usually a white powdery crystal with a molecular weight of 73.89, a density of 2.11 g/cm³, and a melting point of 720°C. Purity standards: The main component content is between 99.2%-99.5%, but with more impurities compared to battery-grade lithium carbonate. Application fields: Glass and ceramic industry: In glass manufacturing, lithium carbonate can be used as a flux to lower the melting temperature and viscosity of glass, improve the processing performance of glass, and enhance its strength, transparency, and corrosion resistance. In ceramic production, lithium carbonate can be used as an additive to improve the sintering performance and microstructure of ceramics, enhancing their strength, hardness, and heat resistance. Aluminum industry: In the aluminum production process, adding industrial-grade lithium carbonate can lower the melting point and viscosity of the electrolyte, improve the conductivity of the electrolyte, thereby reducing the energy consumption and production costs of aluminum. In addition, lithium carbonate can also reduce the volatilization of hydrogen fluoride in the electrolyte, lowering environmental pollution. Refrigerant industry: As an additive in refrigerants, industrial-grade lithium carbonate can improve the refrigeration effect and stability of refrigerants, while reducing their corrosiveness and toxicity. For example, in some new environmentally friendly refrigerant formulations, lithium carbonate is an important component. Cement industry: In cement additives, lithium carbonate can act as a coagulant, shortening the setting time of cement and improving its early strength, suitable for projects with special requirements for cement setting time. Other fields: Can be used to prepare various lithium salts such as lithium chloride and lithium bromide, which are widely used in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, batteries, and other fields. In the medical field, lithium carbonate can be used to treat certain mental illnesses and as an intermediate in drug synthesis. In analytical chemistry, it can be used as an analytical reagent for component analysis and detection. It also has certain applications in the semiconductor, optical communication, and rare earth electrolysis industries. For example, in the preparation of semiconductor materials, lithium carbonate can be used as a dopant to improve the performance of semiconductors. Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH•H2O): Basic information: A highly corrosive white crystalline powder, slightly soluble in ethanol, easily soluble in water, with a melting point of 471°C and a density of 1.51 g/cm³. Application fields: Battery field: An inevitable choice for producing high-nickel ternary cathode materials, with increasing demand for lithium hydroxide monohydrate due to the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry. Can be used as an additive in alkaline battery electrolytes to increase storage capacity and extend battery life. Chemical industry: Lithium-based grease prepared with lithium hydroxide has advantages such as long service life, oxidation resistance, and high-temperature stability, widely used in the lubrication of machinery, automobiles, and other equipment. Can be used as catalysts and additives in the petrochemical industry, for example, in the petroleum refining process, lithium hydroxide can be used as a component of catalysts to promote chemical reactions. Can be used to produce new refrigerants such as lithium bromide absorption solutions for refrigeration machines. Metallurgical field: In the metallurgical industry, lithium hydroxide monohydrate can be used for metal purification, alloy preparation, and metal surface treatment. For example, in the production of aluminum-lithium alloys, lithium hydroxide can be used as an additive to improve the performance of the alloy. Other fields: Can be used as an analytical reagent, oxidizer, etc., in chemical experiments and analysis and detection. In ceramic and glass production, it can be used as an additive to improve product performance, such as enhancing the corrosion resistance of glass and the sintering performance of ceramics. Used in the treatment of certain nuclear fuels and the separation of radioactive substances. Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4): Basic information: A white, odorless, bitter-tasting white monoclinic crystal or powder, with a relative density of 2.68, a melting point of 884°C, and a boiling point of 1,404°C. Exposed to air, it easily absorbs moisture to become hydrated sodium sulfate, transforming into hexagonal crystals at 241°C. Easily soluble in water, with an alkaline aqueous solution, soluble in glycerol, but insoluble in ethanol. Application fields: Industrial field: Widely used in the chemical, paper, glass, textile, printing and dyeing, and cement industries. Medical field: In traditional Chinese medicine, sodium sulfate has the effects of purging accumulation, softening hardness, moistening dryness, clearing heat, and reducing swelling, and can be used externally to clear heat and reduce swelling. In modern medicine, it can be used as an analytical reagent, such as a dehydrating agent, digestion catalyst in nitrogen determination, and interference inhibitor in atomic absorption spectroscopy. Other fields: Used as a filler in synthetic detergents, reducing surface tension and increasing the solubility of detergents. In sulfate galvanizing, it can be used as a buffer to stabilize the pH of the plating solution. It is a diluent for food coloring and an agent for caramel coloring production. [CLNB 2025—Hot Registration in Progress] CLNB 2025 (10th) China International New Energy Industry Expo April 16-18, 2025 Suzhou International Expo Center Contact Us

CNOOC Raises Prices Again. The price of petroleum coke in Taizhou is 4,500 yuan/mt, up 120 yuan/mt MoM. The price of petroleum coke in Zhoushan is 4,320 yuan/mt, up 20 yuan/mt MoM. Last week's market information: The price of petroleum coke in Binzhou was 4,400 yuan/mt, up 400 yuan/mt. The price of petroleum coke in Zhoushan was 4,300 yuan/mt, up 250 yuan/mt MoM. The price of petroleum coke in Taizhou was 4,380 yuan/mt, up 310 yuan/mt MoM. Currently, downstream anode and cathode enterprises are purchasing petroleum coke based on production plans. The increase in maintenance of low-sulphur petroleum coke and the impact of tariff reductions are supporting the supply side of petroleum coke.

The price of low-sulphur petroleum coke has been raised again. The price of petroleum coke in Binzhou is 4,400 yuan/mt, an increase of 400 yuan/mt, with a volume of 4,000 mt. The price of petroleum coke in Zhoushan is 4,300 yuan/mt, up 250 yuan/mt MoM. The price of petroleum coke in Taizhou is 4,380 yuan/mt, up 310 yuan/mt MoM. Currently, downstream anode and cathode enterprises are purchasing petroleum coke based on production plans. The maintenance of low-sulphur petroleum coke has increased, and the supply is once again in a tight state. The price of petroleum coke is expected to experience a slight upward fluctuation in the short term.

[SMM Analysis] This week, the prices of DC-side battery cabins remained stable. The average price of a 5MWh DC-side battery cabin was 0.43 yuan/Wh, while the average price of 3.44/3.77MWh DC-side battery cabins was 0.438 yuan/Wh.