The University of Tsukuba in Japan successfully developed a new-type magnesium-air solid-state battery, using a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode to solve the problem of chloride corrosion, providing a high-safety, low-cost technological pathway for flexible electronics and wearable devices. At the same time, the Record Ridge magnesium mine project in British Columbia, Canada, has triggered strong opposition from the local tourism community over plans to transport ore to China for processing, and has been halted by litigation, with a court hearing scheduled for March 10. The two developments respectively highlight magnesium’s cutting-edge applications in new energy technology and the real-world tensions in resource development.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Researchers at Japan's University of Tsukuba have developed an all-solid-state magnesium-air rechargeable battery featuring a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode. This design replaces platinum-based cathodes and uses a magnesium chloride-based solid polymer electrolyte, successfully addressing chloride-induced degradation that previously limited this technology. The battery maintains performance even when bent to 120 degrees, offering high energy density with enhanced safety, opening new pathways for magnesium in next-generation, low-cost energy storage systems.

[SMM Analysis] On March 12, 2026, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled against imposing tariffs on Chinese graphite imports. Below is the complete timeline of the US anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations into active anode material (graphite anode) from China, the duty rates at each stage, and the latest results as of March 12, 2026.

[Three Companies Jointly Develop Graphene Lithium Iron Phosphate (Manganese) Cathode Material] Fuan Qingmei Energy Material Co., Ltd., a holding subsidiary of GEM Group, Wuhan Power Battery Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Eigen Graphene Technology Co., Ltd. have jointly signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Joint Development of Graphene Lithium Iron Phosphate (Manganese) Material Industrialization Technology and Market Promotion. The three parties will combine their technological, industrial, and market advantages, starting from the recycling and utilization of lithium iron phosphate batteries and waste materials, to jointly develop graphene-enhanced lithium iron phosphate (manganese) material industrialization technology. By using graphene technology to improve the conductivity and electrochemical performance of recycled lithium iron phosphate (manganese) materials, the energy density and cycle life of batteries will be increased, enabling high-value reuse of recycled lithium iron phosphate (manganese) materials.

Dalian Graphene Valley Carbon Material Industrial New City Project Starts Construction Recently, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dalian Graphene Valley Carbon Material Industrial New City Project was held in the Songmuidao Chemical Industry Development Zone of Jinpu New Area. The project is jointly invested and constructed by Heilongjiang Graphene Valley Industrial Group Co., Ltd. and Better New Material Group Co., Ltd. The first phase of the project has started with an investment of 6.16 billion yuan to build the Graphene Valley Carbon Material Industrial New City Project, covering an area of 690,000 square meters. The project includes the construction of a production line with an annual output of 1,300 tons of carbon nanotubes, an annual output of 485,000 tons of artificial graphite, and an annual output of 100,000 tons of artificial graphite negative electrode materials. It is planned to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2025. In addition, the second phase of the project is actively promoting, with a planned investment of 1.5 billion yuan to build a natural graphite negative electrode project. After the completion and operation of all phases, the annual output value is expected to reach 8.7 billion yuan, with an annual tax revenue of approximately 650 million yuan, providing employment for approximately 2,000 people.

[GEM: Subsidiaries Signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement] GEM announced that its affiliated subsidiaries, Fu'an Qingmei Energy Materials Co., Ltd. and Wuhan Power Battery Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., have jointly signed a "Strategic Cooperation Agreement" with Shenzhen Eigen Equation Graphene Technology Co., Ltd. after friendly negotiations. The three parties have decided to combine their technological advantages, industrial advantages, and market advantages to jointly develop the industrialization technology of graphene-enhanced lithium iron phosphate (manganese) materials, starting with the recycling and utilization of lithium iron phosphate batteries and scraps.

【SMM Analysis: GEM Collaborates with Two Major Players to Intensify Investments in Lithium Battery Recycling】SMM September 6: GEM Company recently announced the signing of a Cooperation Framework Agreement with Minmetals Graphite, a subsidiary of China Minmetals Corporation, and Shenzhen Eigen Equation Graphene Technology Co., Ltd. The collaboration between these multiple companies aims to strengthen their investment in the recycling of lithium battery anode materials.

[SMM Analysis: The Rising Star of the EV Industry - Sodium-Ion Battery] SMM, January 8: With the continuous advancement of EV technology, the improvement of battery performance, as its core component, is particularly critical. Among various types of batteries, sodium-ion batteries, with their unique advantages, are gradually gaining a foothold in the EV market. Compared to traditional lead-acid batteries and the recently emerging graphene batteries, sodium-ion batteries demonstrate superior performance and cost-effectiveness.

Hunan Yuneng publicly disclosed an invention patent titled "A High C-Rate Cycling Performance LFP Cathode Material" on December 31, 2024, with the publication number CN119230806A and the application date of December 5, 2024. This technology employs the sol-gel method to prepare LFP cathode material, utilizing the synergistic effects among chitosan, citric acid, and graphene oxide to ensure uniform, complete, and dense coating of the material. This structural design effectively provides continuous electron migration pathways, significantly reducing the impedance of the cathode material during high C-rate cycling, thereby enhancing its electrochemical performance.

[Successful Completion of Phase I of Hengsheng New Materials Project] The Phase I project of Hengsheng New Materials, with an investment of 700 million yuan and a construction area of 134,900 m², has been successfully completed. Once fully operational, it is expected to achieve an annual production of 40,000 mt of anode materials, 10,000 mt of conductive agents, and 20,000 mt of graphene, with sales revenue reaching 2 billion yuan. The production of natural graphite anode materials will account for one-fourth of the national total, making it one of the most advanced intelligent lithium battery anode material bases in the country.