Capacity side, according to incomplete statistics, China's alkaline electrolyzer market remained at 43.77 GW, the PEM electrolyzer market remained at 2.7 GW, with no new capacity additions for the time being. Sungrow Hydrogen's alkaline electrolyzer systems and proton exchange membrane electrolyzer systems were simultaneously delivered to Oman, Europe, and South America; Trina Green Hydrogen delivered multiple sets of second-generation Tianqing series 1,000 Nm³/h alkaline electrolyzers to green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol projects in China; Hande completed the delivery of one set of 1 Nm³ PEM hydrogen production system to a Chinese university. Project-related developments: Shandong Energy Group Inner Mongolia Branch: The winning bid candidates for the 2026 Shenglu Power Plant hydrogen production station electrolyzer project were publicly announced. The first winning bid candidate was Beijing Mingyang Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., and Tianjin Dalu Hydrogen Production Equipment Co., Ltd. ranked second. CNMC Orient Tantalum Industry: For the 50 m³ electrolytic hydrogen production and purification system, the first winning bid candidate was Tianjin Dalu Hydrogen Production Equipment Co., Ltd. with a bid price of 1.68 million yuan. The second and third candidates were Shenzhen Wenshi Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Zhongdian Fengye Technology Development Co., Ltd., with bid prices of 1.79 million yuan and 1.99 million yuan, respectively. Beijing Zhongdian Fengye Technology Development Co., Ltd.: Officially signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Haitai New Energy. The in-depth cooperation will focus on five key areas: first, integrated development of PV-to-hydrogen systems to create standardized solutions; second, advancing integrated wind-solar-storage-green hydrogen projects to build benchmark projects in regions of China rich in wind and solar resources; third, conducting technology R&D and process optimization to overcome key technologies and jointly develop new energy hydrogen production process packages; fourth, leveraging both parties' resources for marketing and sales to jointly expand China and non-China markets; fifth, jointly applying for scientific research and industrial support projects and participating in the formulation of industry standards. CNOOC (Shanxi) Precious Metals Co., Ltd., Jinzhong City: Its Shanxi Province's first MW-class proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis hydrogen production unit was successfully commissioned. Zaoyang Tongda Passenger Transport Co., Ltd.: Issued a tender announcement for the procurement of 20 hydrogen energy buses. The procurement covers 20 hydrogen energy buses with a maximum price limit of 21 million yuan. The project does not accept consortium bidding. Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Technology Equipment Co., Ltd.: Announced the signing of an agreement with its affiliated company GF Hydrogen Africa Sarl to provide a 20 MW green hydrogen production system for Morocco, with a total consideration of approximately $6.2 million. China Coal Shaanxi Energy Chemical Group Co., Ltd.: Published the transaction result announcement for the feasibility study report compilation service for the China Coal Shaanxi Xi'an Kang green electricity-coupled biomass-to-green methanol integration project. The supplier is Hualou Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. Inner Mongolia Green Hydrogen Steel Union Technology Co., Ltd.: Its green electricity-green hydrogen shaft furnace reduction-electric furnace short-process all-green steel production line project released the winning bid announcement for the preliminary survey and mapping portion. The winning bidder was Tianjin Geological Engineering Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., with a winning bid amount of 3.0362 million yuan. It is reported that the tender for the civil construction portion of the project was completed in February. Inner Mongolia Huadian Huayang Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: The winning bid result for the survey and design service for the wind-solar-storage portion of the Inner Mongolia Huadian Damao Banner 1 million kW wind-solar-to-hydrogen integration project was announced. Power supply engineering: total new energy installations of 1,000 MW, including 700 MW wind power and 300 MW PV, with supporting construction of one 100 MW/200 MWh LFP battery ESS power station, two 220 kV step-up substations, access roads, collector lines, and other equipment and facilities. Hydrogen production plant: construction of 88 units of 1,000 Nm³/h water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and supporting facilities, with an annual hydrogen output of 547 million Nm³; supporting construction of one 220 kV hydrogen production main step-down substation and other facilities and equipment. The total project investment is 6.7645 billion yuan, with 30% self-owned capital. Ordos Hanxia New Energy Co., Ltd.: At the hydrogen production plant of the Narisong PV-to-hydrogen industrial demonstration project in Jungar Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region — the site of China's first 10 kt-class PV-to-hydrogen project — the first truckload of high-purity green hydrogen meeting the 99.999% national standard was successfully dispatched after completing the filling operation, marking the first shipment of 2026. Policy Review 1. The National Development and Reform Commission issued the "Standards for Determining Major Accident Hazards in the Electric Power Sector and Regulations on Governance, Supervision and Administration," Order No. 41 of 2026. The document states that under the major hazard determination standards, any of the following conditions occurring in the power grid or power equipment and facilities shall be determined as a major hazard, including: for DC ±800 kV and AC 1000 kV and above transformers (converter transformers), monitored acetylene content reaching 0.000005 liters per liter or weekly increment exceeding 0.000002 liters per liter, or hydrogen content exceeding 0.00045 liters per liter, or total hydrocarbon content exceeding 0.00045 liters per liter. 2. The Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued a notice on the list of key construction projects in Henan Province for 2026. The document states that Henan Province has 1,418 provincial key projects for 2026 with a total investment of approximately 3.2 trillion yuan, aiming to complete annual investment of over 1 trillion yuan. 3. The General Office of the Gansu Provincial People's Government issued a notice on the implementation plan for accelerating scenario cultivation and opening up to promote large-scale application of new scenarios. The document states, in the clean energy sector, the plan is to promote the coordinated layout of "generation-grid-load-storage-production," accelerate the construction of industrial cluster scenarios for wind power, PV, concentrated solar power, hydrogen energy, energy storage equipment, and new energy battery industries. A number of green electricity direct-connection scenario projects are expected to be promoted, and new energy consumption models such as virtual power plants and smart microgrids are expected to be popularized. The plan is to accelerate the deployment of green electricity-to-hydrogen scenarios through multiple models including new energy direct supply, off-grid operation, and green electricity trading, expand the diversified application of green hydrogen in industry, transportation, energy storage, and power generation, and strive to build the Hexi "Green Hydrogen Corridor" innovation scenario. Enterprise Developments Shanghai Hydrogen Maple Energy Technology Co., Ltd.: Partnered with US-based Apollo Mechanical Contractors to secure a commercial order for low-temperature solid-state hydrogen storage technology from Klickitat Valley Health Hospital in Washington State, US. Its independently developed titanium-based solid-state hydrogen storage technology successfully entered the US application market. AiH2 Technology (Group) Co., Ltd.: Officially signed a cooperation agreement with Chongqing Wansheng Economic and Technological Development Zone. Both parties will leverage the by-product hydrogen resources of the Wansheng Economic and Technological Development Zone to build the largest kt-class magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen supply and storage base in south-west China. Huawang (Qingdao) Hydrogen Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd. : The groundbreaking ceremony for the hydrogen refueling station construction project at Qingdao Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park was officially held in Boli Town, West Coast New Area, Qingdao. Panzhihua Huacheng New Energy Co., Ltd. : The pre-acceptance work for the Madian hydrogen refueling station's liquid hydrogen and gaseous hydrogen expansion project was successfully completed. China Classification Society (CCS) Wuhan Branch : Officially issued a certificate of approval to CSSC 712 Research Institute, marking a key breakthrough in China's marine SOFC technology and entering a new stage of standardized and industrialised development. Yunnan Energy Investment Weixin Energy Co., Ltd.: Issued an inquiry letter for the procurement of hydrogen storage tanks for the turbine department, with a procurement quantity of 4 units. AECC Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute: Its independently developed MW-class hydrogen-fueled aviation turboprop engine AEP100 successfully completed its maiden flight. The flight lasted 16 minutes and covered a distance of 36 kilometers. Shandong Hi-Speed Service Development Group Co., Ltd.: The winning bid candidates for the Phase II PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production and energy storage portion of the hydrogen highway and zero-carbon service area key technology integration and demonstration Gaomi Service Area hydrogen refueling station comprehensive utilization project were publicly announced. According to the announcement: the first winning bid candidate was Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Technology Equipment Co., Ltd. with a bid price of 21.27 million yuan; the second winning bid candidate was Luyu Hydrogen Energy (Xiamen) Technology Co., Ltd. with a bid price of 21.95 million yuan; the third winning bid candidate was Jiangsu Huade Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. with a bid price of 21.75 million yuan. Patent Applications 1. Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) published patent CN2025110028, developing a ceramic-based anion exchange membrane with a laboratory-tested lifespan of 80,000 hours. 2. Johnson Matthey (UK) filed patent WO2025109876, disclosing an Fe-Ni-Mo ternary non-precious metal catalyst formulation with activity approaching that of platinum-based materials. Technology Footprint / Technical Specifications 1. The team led by Professor Yu Ying at Central China Normal University developed a three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructured catalytic electrode, a core part for seawater hydrogen production. 2. Dalian University of Technology designed an electron pump catalyst with an asymmetric photo-responsive structure to maintain the asymmetry of electron distribution. 3. The research team from the School of Electrical Engineering and the State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment at Xi'an Jiaotong University successfully developed a Ru/Ti₃C₂Oₓ@NF bifunctional electrocatalyst for seawater electrolysis. 4. Johnson Matthey and Syensqo achieved efficient recovery and recycling of platinum group metals and ionomers from PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. 5. Teams from Xi'an Jiaotong University and Peking University jointly developed a novel osmium-based catalyst, significantly improving AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production efficiency and economics, facilitating the scale-up of low-cost green hydrogen.

Trend Chart of Panzhihua 20# Titanium Ore Prices from 2021 to May 2025 Note: Prices are ex-factory prices excluding tax Trend Chart of Domestic Titanium Slag Prices from 2021 to May 2025 Trend Chart of Domestic Sponge Titanium/Titanium Plate Prices from 2021 to May 2025 Data Source: China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Titanium Zirconium Hafnium Vanadium Branch Review of Domestic Price Trends In May, the domestic titanium ore market showed a trend of first suppression and then recovery, with overall stable but weak performance. This was particularly evident in the Panxi region. In early May, due to the continuous decline in downstream titanium dioxide prices and a drop in operating rates, market demand weakened, leading to a panic-induced price drop. Among them, medium and small miners lowered their quotations by about 100 yuan/mt, while the price of medium-grade ore fell by around 130 yuan/mt, and large mines also reduced their prices by 100 yuan~150 yuan/mt. In late May, as some downstream enterprises resumed production, the demand for titanium ore rebounded slightly, and market confidence gradually recovered, with some medium and small miners in the Panxi region raising their quotations slightly. In May, some imported titanium ore prices were also relatively weak. Affected by the decline in some domestic titanium ore and downstream product prices, there was significant pressure on the sales of imported titanium ore, with some transactions stalling, and imported ore prices saw slight adjustments. At month-end, Mozambique titanium ore prices stood at $370/mt, while Nigerian titanium ore ex-factory prices including tax ranged from 2,050 yuan~2,150 yuan/mt. The market was in a stalemate, with downstream buyers generally adopting a wait-and-see attitude. In May, the titanium slag market exhibited a pattern of "weak and depressed acid slag, high titanium slag under pressure but relatively stable." Downstream enterprises did not conduct centralized tender purchases in May, and high titanium slag prices continued to follow the April market transaction prices. Although raw material costs pulled back slightly recently, high titanium slag producers still operated at a loss, showing low enthusiasm for production, with most enterprises cutting or halting production. The acid slag market had low production activity, with relatively small output, and some enterprises experienced inventory accumulation. Acid slag plants in Yunnan were basically shut down, while those in Panzhihua only maintained production for their own downstream factories. A few acid slag plants in north China maintained minimal production, resulting in a significant reduction in overall supply. In May, domestic sponge titanium prices stabilized at a relatively high level. At the beginning of May, grade one sponge titanium prices stabilized at 50,000 yuan/mt with bulk transactions. Some producers attempted to raise their quotations, and others increased the prices of aerospace-grade sponge titanium products. Due to the relatively stable supply of aerospace-grade sponge titanium and favorable downstream demand, its prices rose smoothly. The main users of grade one sponge titanium were in the industrial sector, with limited capacity to absorb higher prices. After the price reached 50,000 yuan/mt, downstream enterprises were unwilling to accept any further increases. In May, the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) market continued its downward price trend, with declines ranging from 300 yuan/mt to 500 yuan/mt, and market quotes were relatively chaotic. At the beginning of May, under the dual pressures of weak end-use demand and high inventory levels, enterprises successively lowered their new order quotes. The listing prices of leading enterprises were reduced by 500 yuan/mt, triggering a chain reaction of price reductions in the market. Enterprises were constrained by both the market downturn and cost pressures, resulting in high inventory levels. To alleviate inventory pressure, nearly half of the enterprises chose to halt or cut production, leading to a significant decline in the market's operating rate. However, the contraction rate of the supply side significantly lagged behind the decline in demand, and the market's oversupply contradiction was not effectively alleviated. Outlook In June, the titanium ore market will continue to face a severe situation. As the market enters the traditional off-season, there is little prospect of significant improvement in demand for downstream products in the short term, and titanium ore prices for small and medium-sized miners will continue to be under pressure. In terms of imported titanium ore, due to significant shipping pressure, it is expected that some domestic miners will have room to lower their imported ore prices. In June, the titanium slag market will remain challenging. Although the high-titanium slag market has some cost support, if there is no significant improvement in demand, prices will continue to be under pressure. In June, the tender prices of large northern plants fell by 300 yuan/mt, leading to widespread losses and production halts among titanium slag plants, further suppressing their willingness to resume production, and the operating rate will remain low. Given the lack of improvement in downstream demand, the acid slag market is expected to continue in a weak and sluggish state, with prices potentially declining further. It is expected that in the short term, the price of titanium sponge will continue to maintain a phased high level. Currently, titanium sponge enterprises are cautious about increasing production, and the overall market supply and demand situation is relatively stable. Since March, titanium sponge prices have gradually increased, and the pressure for further price increases in the future will also intensify, with relatively limited upside room. In the second half of the year, if some new capacities are put into production, titanium sponge prices may once again face challenges. In the future, the titanium dioxide market may continue to operate in a weak state. On the demand side, it is difficult to achieve significant improvement due to the impact of the traditional off-season and blocked foreign trade. On the supply side, despite the decline in enterprises' operating rates, the oversupply situation is difficult to reverse in the short term. Supported by high costs, the downward room for titanium dioxide prices is limited. It is expected that in June, the market will continue to adopt a transaction mode of one order, one negotiation. Import Data Statistics In April, China's imports of titanium ore concentrates and middling ores were 419,000 mt, up 27.55% YoY and down 12.39% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium ore were 1.776 million mt, up 18.13% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness of ≤0.8 mm were 221.5 mt, up 27.97% YoY and 42.74% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness ≤0.8mm reached 480.6 mt, up 26.65% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness >0.8mm were 84.3 mt, down 38.08% YoY and 45.45% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness >0.8mm were 380.2 mt, down 21% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium pipes were 29.3 mt, down 43.84% YoY and 13.3% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium pipes were 72.1 mt, down 58.28% YoY. In April, China's imports of other unwrought titanium were 21.3 mt, up 58.04% YoY and 25.39% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of other unwrought titanium were 91.8 mt, up 166.97% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium bars, rods, sections, and profiles were 1,868.9 mt, up 1,698.03% YoY and 206.81% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium bars, rods, sections, and profiles were 3,505.7 mt, up 347.89% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium wires were 13.8 mt, down 63.35% YoY and 56.6% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium wires were 75.6 mt, down 16.51% YoY. In April, China's imports of other wrought titanium and titanium products were 51.2 mt, down 38.67% YoY and up 4.68% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of other wrought titanium and titanium products were 174.7 mt, down 27.99% YoY. In April, China's imports of titanium dioxide were 6,600 mt, down 2.71% YoY and 20.44% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of titanium dioxide were 27,400 mt, down 11.87% YoY. Export Data Statistics In April, China's exports of titanium sponge were 979.1 mt, up 436.47% YoY and 134.67% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium sponge were 2,474.5 mt, up 90.05% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness ≤0.8mm were 163.4 mt, up 105.6% YoY and 16.67% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness ≤0.8mm were 450.7 mt, up 4.75% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness >0.8mm were 496 mt, down 61.32% YoY and 24.8% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium plates, sheets, and strips with a thickness >0.8mm reached 2,273.3 mt, down 40.36% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium pipes amounted to 276 mt, up 11.69% YoY and 27.38% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium pipes totaled 973.5 mt, down 1.39% YoY. In April, China's exports of other unwrought titanium amounted to 49.3 mt, down 77.34% YoY and up 20.38% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of other unwrought titanium totaled 262 mt, down 56.8% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium bars, rods, profiles, and special shapes amounted to 529 mt, down 38.5% YoY and 52.73% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium bars, rods, profiles, and special shapes totaled 3,111 mt, up 4.43% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium wire amounted to 239.6 mt, up 79.94% YoY and 131.38% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium wire totaled 545.4 mt, up 1.38% YoY. In April, China's exports of other wrought titanium and titanium products amounted to 482.9 mt, up 42.01% YoY and 5.03% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of other wrought titanium and titanium products totaled 1,736.4 mt, up 22.09% YoY. In April, China's exports of titanium dioxide amounted to 148,000 mt, down 5.96% YoY and 20% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of titanium dioxide totaled 649,000 mt, up 0.32% YoY. Zirconium Market Analysis In April, China's imports of zircon sand amounted to 21.78 mt, up 25.71% YoY and 7.72% MoM. From January to April, China's imports of zircon sand totaled 845,000 mt, up 31.39% YoY. In April, China's exports of zirconium oxychloride amounted to 5,883 mt, down 0.52% YoY and up 73.35% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of zirconium oxychloride totaled 15,497.3 mt, down 6.08% YoY. In April, China's exports of zirconium carbonate amounted to 1,333.8 mt, down 38.05% YoY and 27.67% MoM. From January to April, China's exports of zirconium carbonate totaled 5,833.9 mt, down 17.59% YoY. In May, the supply of zircon sand continued to increase, while end-use consumption showed no improvement, leading to a continued decline in domestic zircon sand prices. At the end of May, the price of imported 66% high-grade sand was approximately $1,850/mt, and the price of domestic 65% zircon sand was approximately 12,300 yuan/mt. In May, the real estate market remained sluggish, zircon sand prices continued to fall, enterprises faced significant inventory pressure, and the price of zirconium silicate continued to decline. At the month-end of May, the price of ordinary zirconium silicate was approximately 12,300 yuan/mt. In May, the mainstream quotations for zirconium oxychloride from leading enterprises ranged from 14,000 yuan/mt to 14,500 yuan/mt, with mainstream quotations around 14,000 yuan/mt. Some enterprises, eager to sell their products, offered prices lower than the mainstream prices.